a.twiddler
Veteran
17/6/25
Rematch with Alsagers Bank
It was in April 2021 when I last went to Newcastle via Halmer End and Alsagers Bank and had issues with steering up the steepest bit. I’d previously believed that I could ride this Linear up anything, so it was a bit of set back. The gearing was fine but once the speed dropped below about 4 mph I wasn’t able to make it go where I wanted it to. Of course, pushing a bike a hundred yards during a round trip of 45 miles or so isn’t the end of the world but still… Previously I believed that I could ride it up anything, and now I didn’t.
Since then I’ve ridden it a lot, and I’ve also fitted a frame reinforcing plate. A lot of things have got in the way of a rematch up to now, but today’s the day.
It was going to be hot later so I’d hoped to start early, also to avoid the traffic on the way home. I also wanted to stretch out the miles a bit. As usual, I started later than intended. Well, I would have to take it as it came.
Definitely T shirt weather today, so after slapping on the sun block and gathering my stuff together it was out through the gate, and left towards Wettenhall. I was planning to conserve my energy for the climbing later on so it started with a freewheel. Through the lights at Darnhall bridge then steady progress to Wettenhall. Left on to Minshull Lane, left again on to Woodgreen Lane, then Paradise Lane. No monster trucks today, and I only came across two cars coming the other way towards the end of Paradise Lane.
I came to the T junction with Over Road and turned right. There was little traffic, but it was enough for me. After the straight level stretch the road turned left and dipped, I got into high gear and spun out, then let gravity do its stuff. Pedalling again through the bends at the bottom into Church Minshull, through a chicane, left at the mini roundabout towards Crewe. The long uphill to the Shropshire Union Canal was managed without stopping due to minimal traffic, over the bridge at the top, then the long flat to Crewe. No traffic at the lights on Middlewich Road so went through to turn right in short order then almost immediately left through some cones on to the bypassed section of Flowers Lane. I leaned the bike against a tree and had a glug of water then pressed on through Crewe. No hold ups, and I was soon on University Way where I stopped at Aldi to stock up on choc bars. Back on to the cycle path, left at the roundabout at the end on to Weston Road. Here the cycle path ended, but there was a broad pavement so I stayed on that with the fizzing traffic belting by definitely less than 1.5 metres from my right elbow.
After a mile or so I came to the right turn for Weston, diving into a gap in the traffic, taking the right hand lane and turning for Weston. Across a railway bridge, then over the raucous A500, and soon enjoying some more relaxed progress.
I took a photo of the White Lion as I went past, not wanting to stop more than I had to.
After an all too short fairly quiet interlude I came to a roundabout on the Newcastle Road and went across in the direction of Newcastle. There is a moderate uphill from here but the main issue is some worn chip seal surfacing for a few hundred yards which I remember from my previous trip. It was no less eyeball rattling today. I considered reducing the rear tyre pressure having slightly over inflated it before coming out. I pressed on anyway, as fiddling around with Presta valves when out on the road can lead to unintended consequences.
Through a roundabout, into Staffordshire then left by the Broughton pub. A slight downhill, then a steady climb for several miles, a dip and a climb across the M6. I passed the turn for Shraleybrook road on the right. I carried on uphill, then downhill again before turning right into Carr Lane then left on to Shraleybrook Road.
A steady climb on a winding lane from here. I clicked into the low ratio on the hub gear which let me carry on for a while but then it eased so I changed back to the middle range. I passed the entrance to the old Minnie pit which is now a country park. I changed to the low range again, though I was using the higher gears in the range. Two boys on mountain bikes came downhill and turned into the country park. I plodded on. Just before the old railway bridge abutments that heralded Halmer End the two boys passed me, one busy on his phone.
I kept twirling away. I had to keep stopping amongst the roadside parked cars as a fleet of tractors and trailers were running a shuttle service at short intervals transporting hay. Still, no problem restarting here.
As I came to the junction on the left for Heathcote road I remembered that it was shortly after this point that lost my ability to steer on my first attempt here. The was a sign for Alsagers Bank just beyond the Junction and it was between here and St. David’s Church further up the hill that I’d had problems. I didn't see the sign today, possibly blocked by a parked van.
Today… nothing! A bit of an anti climax. I just kept rolling uphill. It definitely felt steep from the way my temperature was rising. I stopped by the War Memorial, laid the Linear on the grassy bank in front of it, and retreated across the road to the shade of a tree. There was a faint breeze here, too. It's steeper than it looks!
So, keeping going was no problem. After a couple of attempts to restart I went downhill to get going in a level entranceway. Then I wound my way uphill to a point where the ascent was a little less steep. The road curved, so there was a bit more shade from houses across the road.
Here I sat on the bike by the roadside until I’d cooled off. I observed that despite the effectiveness of the rear brake, it took a lot of pressure on the lever to stop the bike from rolling backwards downhill, better with both. With just the front brake, the bike would start to slide backwards with the front wheel locked. This could get very exciting very fast with a bit of mud or gravel.
Time’s winged chariot was hurtling by with jet powered wheels (I could have done with some of those) so without any preamble, I got going again. Perhaps too much forethought had been the issue with getting going further back, I thought, with no intention of going back and retrying it.
Twirling along steadily I was almost enjoying getting up here, apart from the heat. Soon I passed the Gresley Arms on the right, and the slope eased quite visibly. The gradients stayed in a more normal range, slightly up or down as I passed through the village until I came to the top of Black Bank. Here I was expecting great things, maybe a new downhill record for the Linear. It’s quite steep in parts but its main claim to fame is that it’s several downhill miles of wide open road, so no need to brake until you reach the village of Knutton at the bottom.
As a bonus, there’s a well segregated mixed use path alongside it, to take away the traffic related stress of getting back up it.
I took off my cap and sat on it.
Then, I got into top and increased speed in a leisurely manner until I’d spun out, and sat back to enjoy the ride.
A pleasantly breezy few minutes followed, while I enjoyed the sensation of speeding along on a gravity powered garden chair.
It wasn’t as steep as I’d hoped, and I pedalled the last bit to Knutton, but it was promising for the long haul back.
I continued to a pair of mini roundabouts where the Silverdale road branched off then did a 360 and headed back the way I’d come.
As I came out of the village on the way back I spotted a bench in a shady spot by the cycle path so I left the road and stopped for a choc bar and some water.
I continued along this path for the rest of the uphill. Alas, as the road curved the shade retreated, and the trees that were creating the shade also blocked the breeze. Although there was the occasional field gate where the breeze blew through, I was feeling the effects of the heat by the time I was most of the way up.
Near the top I came across another bench. I leaned the bike on it and went and stood like a starfish in a nearby field entrance. Not far now. I had some water then carried on.
Soon I was in Alsagers Bank, cooling nicely with my self generated breeze, then after passing the Gresley Arms was waved through by a school crossing patrol who stopped following traffic.
I then went downhill much faster than I’d come up, slowing right down for a tractor which was crossing the junction with Heathcote Road where I then turned right down the long steep hill towards Audley.
Even though I was doing 27 mph at one point a Range Rover driver insisted on getting past. I kept my speed up as best I could to get up the steep sharp slope to Rye Hills where I turned left.
A gradual uphill to a summit. I could feel my energy levels dropping so I got up as much speed as I could down the next dip to get to the next summit and cross roads at the end of Hougher Wall Road. Conked out about 20 yards from the top, I stopped and summoned the bottom gear of the hub which was enough to get me up the last bit. Once it was clear, I launched across to Chester Road where I was able to freewheel down to the junction with Nantwich Road and turn left. Feeling seriously detuned I was looking for somewhere to stop and recharge as I could feel the Dreaded Bonk approaching.
Just after the cemetery on the right was an entrance, and beyond that was a bench with a newly trimmed grassy bank behind it. The Linear somehow found its way there, and as I struggled to dismount with one hand on the bench I felt uncomfortably light headed. I got off, dug out my supplies bag from the rack bag, and gratefully subsided on to the grassy bank. The bench was in full sunlight, but the bank was under a shady tree. I propped myself up and had a choc bar (instant energy), a diet pepsi (fluid and caffeine), and a packet of crisps (salt and a slower release of energy).
Hardly a balanced diet, and I hadn’t had a cake stop today, but it would keep me going. I felt much better in minutes.
I could have had a nice nap under that tree but time was ticking away. I could see the traffic building up. There were no more serious climbs between here and home. Most of the distance to the Newcastle road was downhill (having already climbed here from there).
Once more under way, the wheels turning for home via Nantwich, a light but warm breeze in my face, it was very pleasant. The occasional car came by, but since I could hear their tyre noise from afar, it was bearable
It didn’t take long to get to the Newcastle Road, and turn right at a difficult junction without difficulty. Uphill to the sign announcing that I was now in Cheshire, then mostly downhill to the roundabout where the M6 and A500 traffic joined the Newcastle Road. As I rattled towards it on the worn chip seal surface I could see it was busy. Ah well. Que Sera Sera. Turdis tensilium. Just got to suck it up. Et cetera.
The initial stretch was slightly uphill though traffic was getting by OK. Approaching a high bridge over a railway it narrowed. As I was climbing this bridge I became aware of a black Range Rover behind with its hazard lights flashing. Some kind of malfunction, obviously. Most likely inside the driver’s head. What is it with Range Rover drivers? A wildlife related fact surfaced in my mind. What’s the difference between a hedgehog and a Range Rover? With a hedgehog, 100% of the pricks are on the outside.
Just as I was contemplating how nice it would be to have some kind of precision electromagnetic pulse generator which could automatically pop out of my rack bag and zap the electrics of any mechanised road user who caused me grief, my legs, which had been dutifully pushing me up this slope, signalled that it was time to change up. So I did. I went over the top, the road widened, my speed increased, the traffic flowed by. It was notable that the hazard lights went off after he’d gone by.
The road was level or slightly downhill after this. Still, the constant traffic, particularly the tyre noise, was rather wearing. I passed through Hough, then Shavington cum Gresty (though I couldn’t help thinking Shavington cum Whiskers sounded more appropriate). Most of the traffic dispersed at Shavington lights so it was a bit quieter after that. I stopped briefly for a drink of water then carried on. I noticed a sign to the right for a cycle path via Willaston to Nantwich. It sounded more appealing than the route via the busy A500 roundabout which was not far away but by the time I’d thought about it it wasn’t worth turning back on the off chance. A bike ride for another day.
I came to the A500 roundabout behind a short queue of traffic. I was taking the first exit so I was through quickly. Straight on through some lights, across a level crossing then into a traffic queue due to some roadworks. Too many temporary signs on the pavements so I just rolled with the rest of the traffic. It wasn’t bad. Start, roll, freewheel, stop. Start, roll, freewheel, stop. Repeat. It was strangely relaxing, especially the slow bicycle race rolling to a stop, seeing how long I could keep my feet up.
Through Nantwich, on a pavement cycle path as far as Reaseheath College. Then on to the Chester/Wrexham road which was pretty horrible as there wasn’t anywhere to go, just keeping best speed up with a long tailback of traffic until finally turning right on to Wettenhall Road.
It was nice to unwind on this road whose recent resurfacing is still holding up well. It was easy to roll along on the smooth surface, still some traffic but not obtrusive.
Rolling down a long dip, up the other side at a good speed until it bled away and I was rolling at my usual speed. I came to Wettenhall Marina. I doubted that the shop was open but there would at least be somewhere to sit and take a break. It was quiet and peaceful. I sat at one of the benches for a time, had some water then got under way again.
Over the canal bridge, under the railway bridge then soon on the long straight to the village of Wettenhall. Through the village, down a dip and up the other side, a head wind for a while then as the lane turned it was more favourable. Through the lights at Darnhall bridge then a lazy trundle towards home. A bunch of motorcyclists came the other way, one of whom gave a thumbs up. I smiled back. Before long I was at my back gate.
I can now truthfully say that the Linear will climb anything I point it at.
The max speed down the long hill to Church Minshull was 32.1 mph. Down Black Bank 32.7 mph, a difference of 0.6 mph. Was it worth travelling the extra 44 miles for? Perhaps as a sideshow to the main event, which was ascending Alsagers Bank on two wheels throughout.
Distance 50.22 miles. Max speed 32.7 mph. Average speed 7.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 1592 ft. According to Bikehike.
Rematch with Alsagers Bank
It was in April 2021 when I last went to Newcastle via Halmer End and Alsagers Bank and had issues with steering up the steepest bit. I’d previously believed that I could ride this Linear up anything, so it was a bit of set back. The gearing was fine but once the speed dropped below about 4 mph I wasn’t able to make it go where I wanted it to. Of course, pushing a bike a hundred yards during a round trip of 45 miles or so isn’t the end of the world but still… Previously I believed that I could ride it up anything, and now I didn’t.
Since then I’ve ridden it a lot, and I’ve also fitted a frame reinforcing plate. A lot of things have got in the way of a rematch up to now, but today’s the day.
It was going to be hot later so I’d hoped to start early, also to avoid the traffic on the way home. I also wanted to stretch out the miles a bit. As usual, I started later than intended. Well, I would have to take it as it came.
Definitely T shirt weather today, so after slapping on the sun block and gathering my stuff together it was out through the gate, and left towards Wettenhall. I was planning to conserve my energy for the climbing later on so it started with a freewheel. Through the lights at Darnhall bridge then steady progress to Wettenhall. Left on to Minshull Lane, left again on to Woodgreen Lane, then Paradise Lane. No monster trucks today, and I only came across two cars coming the other way towards the end of Paradise Lane.
I came to the T junction with Over Road and turned right. There was little traffic, but it was enough for me. After the straight level stretch the road turned left and dipped, I got into high gear and spun out, then let gravity do its stuff. Pedalling again through the bends at the bottom into Church Minshull, through a chicane, left at the mini roundabout towards Crewe. The long uphill to the Shropshire Union Canal was managed without stopping due to minimal traffic, over the bridge at the top, then the long flat to Crewe. No traffic at the lights on Middlewich Road so went through to turn right in short order then almost immediately left through some cones on to the bypassed section of Flowers Lane. I leaned the bike against a tree and had a glug of water then pressed on through Crewe. No hold ups, and I was soon on University Way where I stopped at Aldi to stock up on choc bars. Back on to the cycle path, left at the roundabout at the end on to Weston Road. Here the cycle path ended, but there was a broad pavement so I stayed on that with the fizzing traffic belting by definitely less than 1.5 metres from my right elbow.
After a mile or so I came to the right turn for Weston, diving into a gap in the traffic, taking the right hand lane and turning for Weston. Across a railway bridge, then over the raucous A500, and soon enjoying some more relaxed progress.
I took a photo of the White Lion as I went past, not wanting to stop more than I had to.
After an all too short fairly quiet interlude I came to a roundabout on the Newcastle Road and went across in the direction of Newcastle. There is a moderate uphill from here but the main issue is some worn chip seal surfacing for a few hundred yards which I remember from my previous trip. It was no less eyeball rattling today. I considered reducing the rear tyre pressure having slightly over inflated it before coming out. I pressed on anyway, as fiddling around with Presta valves when out on the road can lead to unintended consequences.
Through a roundabout, into Staffordshire then left by the Broughton pub. A slight downhill, then a steady climb for several miles, a dip and a climb across the M6. I passed the turn for Shraleybrook road on the right. I carried on uphill, then downhill again before turning right into Carr Lane then left on to Shraleybrook Road.
A steady climb on a winding lane from here. I clicked into the low ratio on the hub gear which let me carry on for a while but then it eased so I changed back to the middle range. I passed the entrance to the old Minnie pit which is now a country park. I changed to the low range again, though I was using the higher gears in the range. Two boys on mountain bikes came downhill and turned into the country park. I plodded on. Just before the old railway bridge abutments that heralded Halmer End the two boys passed me, one busy on his phone.
I kept twirling away. I had to keep stopping amongst the roadside parked cars as a fleet of tractors and trailers were running a shuttle service at short intervals transporting hay. Still, no problem restarting here.
As I came to the junction on the left for Heathcote road I remembered that it was shortly after this point that lost my ability to steer on my first attempt here. The was a sign for Alsagers Bank just beyond the Junction and it was between here and St. David’s Church further up the hill that I’d had problems. I didn't see the sign today, possibly blocked by a parked van.
Today… nothing! A bit of an anti climax. I just kept rolling uphill. It definitely felt steep from the way my temperature was rising. I stopped by the War Memorial, laid the Linear on the grassy bank in front of it, and retreated across the road to the shade of a tree. There was a faint breeze here, too. It's steeper than it looks!
So, keeping going was no problem. After a couple of attempts to restart I went downhill to get going in a level entranceway. Then I wound my way uphill to a point where the ascent was a little less steep. The road curved, so there was a bit more shade from houses across the road.
Here I sat on the bike by the roadside until I’d cooled off. I observed that despite the effectiveness of the rear brake, it took a lot of pressure on the lever to stop the bike from rolling backwards downhill, better with both. With just the front brake, the bike would start to slide backwards with the front wheel locked. This could get very exciting very fast with a bit of mud or gravel.
Time’s winged chariot was hurtling by with jet powered wheels (I could have done with some of those) so without any preamble, I got going again. Perhaps too much forethought had been the issue with getting going further back, I thought, with no intention of going back and retrying it.
Twirling along steadily I was almost enjoying getting up here, apart from the heat. Soon I passed the Gresley Arms on the right, and the slope eased quite visibly. The gradients stayed in a more normal range, slightly up or down as I passed through the village until I came to the top of Black Bank. Here I was expecting great things, maybe a new downhill record for the Linear. It’s quite steep in parts but its main claim to fame is that it’s several downhill miles of wide open road, so no need to brake until you reach the village of Knutton at the bottom.
As a bonus, there’s a well segregated mixed use path alongside it, to take away the traffic related stress of getting back up it.
I took off my cap and sat on it.
Then, I got into top and increased speed in a leisurely manner until I’d spun out, and sat back to enjoy the ride.
A pleasantly breezy few minutes followed, while I enjoyed the sensation of speeding along on a gravity powered garden chair.
It wasn’t as steep as I’d hoped, and I pedalled the last bit to Knutton, but it was promising for the long haul back.
I continued to a pair of mini roundabouts where the Silverdale road branched off then did a 360 and headed back the way I’d come.
As I came out of the village on the way back I spotted a bench in a shady spot by the cycle path so I left the road and stopped for a choc bar and some water.
I continued along this path for the rest of the uphill. Alas, as the road curved the shade retreated, and the trees that were creating the shade also blocked the breeze. Although there was the occasional field gate where the breeze blew through, I was feeling the effects of the heat by the time I was most of the way up.
Near the top I came across another bench. I leaned the bike on it and went and stood like a starfish in a nearby field entrance. Not far now. I had some water then carried on.
Soon I was in Alsagers Bank, cooling nicely with my self generated breeze, then after passing the Gresley Arms was waved through by a school crossing patrol who stopped following traffic.
I then went downhill much faster than I’d come up, slowing right down for a tractor which was crossing the junction with Heathcote Road where I then turned right down the long steep hill towards Audley.
Even though I was doing 27 mph at one point a Range Rover driver insisted on getting past. I kept my speed up as best I could to get up the steep sharp slope to Rye Hills where I turned left.
A gradual uphill to a summit. I could feel my energy levels dropping so I got up as much speed as I could down the next dip to get to the next summit and cross roads at the end of Hougher Wall Road. Conked out about 20 yards from the top, I stopped and summoned the bottom gear of the hub which was enough to get me up the last bit. Once it was clear, I launched across to Chester Road where I was able to freewheel down to the junction with Nantwich Road and turn left. Feeling seriously detuned I was looking for somewhere to stop and recharge as I could feel the Dreaded Bonk approaching.
Just after the cemetery on the right was an entrance, and beyond that was a bench with a newly trimmed grassy bank behind it. The Linear somehow found its way there, and as I struggled to dismount with one hand on the bench I felt uncomfortably light headed. I got off, dug out my supplies bag from the rack bag, and gratefully subsided on to the grassy bank. The bench was in full sunlight, but the bank was under a shady tree. I propped myself up and had a choc bar (instant energy), a diet pepsi (fluid and caffeine), and a packet of crisps (salt and a slower release of energy).
Hardly a balanced diet, and I hadn’t had a cake stop today, but it would keep me going. I felt much better in minutes.
I could have had a nice nap under that tree but time was ticking away. I could see the traffic building up. There were no more serious climbs between here and home. Most of the distance to the Newcastle road was downhill (having already climbed here from there).
Once more under way, the wheels turning for home via Nantwich, a light but warm breeze in my face, it was very pleasant. The occasional car came by, but since I could hear their tyre noise from afar, it was bearable
It didn’t take long to get to the Newcastle Road, and turn right at a difficult junction without difficulty. Uphill to the sign announcing that I was now in Cheshire, then mostly downhill to the roundabout where the M6 and A500 traffic joined the Newcastle Road. As I rattled towards it on the worn chip seal surface I could see it was busy. Ah well. Que Sera Sera. Turdis tensilium. Just got to suck it up. Et cetera.
The initial stretch was slightly uphill though traffic was getting by OK. Approaching a high bridge over a railway it narrowed. As I was climbing this bridge I became aware of a black Range Rover behind with its hazard lights flashing. Some kind of malfunction, obviously. Most likely inside the driver’s head. What is it with Range Rover drivers? A wildlife related fact surfaced in my mind. What’s the difference between a hedgehog and a Range Rover? With a hedgehog, 100% of the pricks are on the outside.
Just as I was contemplating how nice it would be to have some kind of precision electromagnetic pulse generator which could automatically pop out of my rack bag and zap the electrics of any mechanised road user who caused me grief, my legs, which had been dutifully pushing me up this slope, signalled that it was time to change up. So I did. I went over the top, the road widened, my speed increased, the traffic flowed by. It was notable that the hazard lights went off after he’d gone by.
The road was level or slightly downhill after this. Still, the constant traffic, particularly the tyre noise, was rather wearing. I passed through Hough, then Shavington cum Gresty (though I couldn’t help thinking Shavington cum Whiskers sounded more appropriate). Most of the traffic dispersed at Shavington lights so it was a bit quieter after that. I stopped briefly for a drink of water then carried on. I noticed a sign to the right for a cycle path via Willaston to Nantwich. It sounded more appealing than the route via the busy A500 roundabout which was not far away but by the time I’d thought about it it wasn’t worth turning back on the off chance. A bike ride for another day.
I came to the A500 roundabout behind a short queue of traffic. I was taking the first exit so I was through quickly. Straight on through some lights, across a level crossing then into a traffic queue due to some roadworks. Too many temporary signs on the pavements so I just rolled with the rest of the traffic. It wasn’t bad. Start, roll, freewheel, stop. Start, roll, freewheel, stop. Repeat. It was strangely relaxing, especially the slow bicycle race rolling to a stop, seeing how long I could keep my feet up.
Through Nantwich, on a pavement cycle path as far as Reaseheath College. Then on to the Chester/Wrexham road which was pretty horrible as there wasn’t anywhere to go, just keeping best speed up with a long tailback of traffic until finally turning right on to Wettenhall Road.
It was nice to unwind on this road whose recent resurfacing is still holding up well. It was easy to roll along on the smooth surface, still some traffic but not obtrusive.
Rolling down a long dip, up the other side at a good speed until it bled away and I was rolling at my usual speed. I came to Wettenhall Marina. I doubted that the shop was open but there would at least be somewhere to sit and take a break. It was quiet and peaceful. I sat at one of the benches for a time, had some water then got under way again.
Over the canal bridge, under the railway bridge then soon on the long straight to the village of Wettenhall. Through the village, down a dip and up the other side, a head wind for a while then as the lane turned it was more favourable. Through the lights at Darnhall bridge then a lazy trundle towards home. A bunch of motorcyclists came the other way, one of whom gave a thumbs up. I smiled back. Before long I was at my back gate.
I can now truthfully say that the Linear will climb anything I point it at.
The max speed down the long hill to Church Minshull was 32.1 mph. Down Black Bank 32.7 mph, a difference of 0.6 mph. Was it worth travelling the extra 44 miles for? Perhaps as a sideshow to the main event, which was ascending Alsagers Bank on two wheels throughout.
Distance 50.22 miles. Max speed 32.7 mph. Average speed 7.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 1592 ft. According to Bikehike.
