Route Advice: Avoiding Stoke

[tallliman]

I'm thinking of visiting my sister at some point this year in Chester by bike. The main issue (from Loughborough), is avoiding the large conurbation that is Stoke/Newcastle Under Lyme. Can anyone offer me a nice (preferable flattish) road route between Uttoxeter and somewhere on the other side of the cities (Nantwich?)? I'm likely to be carrying panniers when I make the trip so don't want to go too far toward Cheadle!

Thanks in advance!

 

[ColinJ]

I like playing with maps so if nobody else gets in first, I will work out a route for you. It might take me a day or two though because I am busy tonight and Sunday. Maybe tomorrow sometime?

First thought - head west and pass south of Burton upon Trent. I found a crossing of the Trent at Barton-under-Needwood which was handy one way. I got my timing wrong the other way and hit school run gridlock. There is a big school nearby - avoid at all costs from 07:30 to 09:00 and 15:00 to18:00?

 

[tallliman]

Cheers @ColinJ, it'll be a Sunday so not too much of an issue.

 

[Pale Rider]

Chester is north west of Stoke, so I would be inclined to undercut it.

A look at the map suggests Loughborough, Burton, Stafford, then join the A529 to Market Drayton, on to Nantwich, then across to Chester.

 

[FishFright]

I you want flattish go to the East of the Stoke Conurbation. If you can get to Stafford ok this rough gpx will take you away from the major hills and busy roads. I ride the roads as far North as Nantwich regulatory the rest is a bit of guess work

HOLD ON WRONG GPX See next post

 

[subaqua]

Regardless of cycling , general life advice of avoiding stoke is rather good

 

[FishFright]

use this one

 

[FishFright]

Regardless of cycling , general life advice of avoiding stoke is rather good

Good advice and i live there !

 

[13 rider]

As others have stated undercutting it looks the obvious route . Run parallel to the A50 and A51 . Barton under needwood . Cross the A51 at Stone ,Yarnfield . The last time I drove through Stoke there was a time trail running on the main A50 you would not get me on there on my bike

 

[tallliman]

Thanks all, I'll have a good look in a bit.

@13 rider, strava heatmap shows that tt course quite clearly!

 

[Hugh Manatee]

As others have stated undercutting it looks the obvious route . Run parallel to the A50 and A51 . Barton under needwood . Cross the A51 at Stone ,Yarnfield . The last time I drove through Stoke there was a time trail running on the main A50 you would not get me on there on my bike

Excellent bike shop in Barton-under-Needwood. Adrian Timmis' shop.

 

[videoman]

Now't wrong with Stoke as I live there and used to live in Newcastle.

You could always use cycle path 5 which is mostly on canal tow paths and most are well surfaced from Stone to Rode Heath and beyond.