Ride Routes
Here you’ll find a selection of the routes we enjoy on our rides, along with photos from some of our wonderful days out. We’re always adding new routes, and the group warmly welcomes suggestions for future rides.
Bicycle Revival is a cycling group that caters to riders of all abilities, so you’ll see a wide range of route distances designed to suit everyone’s pace and experience level.
Whenever possible, we choose to ride along cycle paths, shared paths, Greenways, and gravel tracks, as these help us create the relaxed, easy-going rides we love. Of course, there are times when we need to use the roads, but safety and enjoyment are always our top priorities.
All of our rides start from Chi Café at Phoenix Park in Runcorn. Each week, when the upcoming weekend ride is announced, you’ll be able to view the route map, start point, and start time. A GPX file of the route will also be available to download for anyone who wishes to upload it to their preferred GPS software.
Appleton Resevior Loop
A lovely short and scenic route, we set off from our usual meeting point at Phoenix Park and follow the Bridgewater Canal toward Preston Brook. From there, we join the Cheshire Ringway canal path, taking advantage of Halton’s excellent cycle network as we pass Daresbury Science Park on our way to Moore and up to Appleton Reservoir. Our return journey takes us through the peaceful Moore Nature Reserve and past the historic Norton Priory Museum before heading back home to Phoenix Park.
Duration: 1h 45m | Round trip Distance: 13 miles
Mersey loop
One of our most popular and well-loved routes, the Mersey Loop starts at Phoenix Park and follows the Bridgewater Canal toward Runcorn’s Old Town. From there, we cross the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge and make our way onto Spike Island, continuing along one of Halton’s finest cycle paths beside the St Helens Canal. We often take the chance for a quick refreshment stop at the Ferry Tavern before riding on through Moore Nature Reserve, past the historic Norton Priory Museum, and returning home to Phoenix Park.
Duration: 2h 30m | Round trip Distance: 17 miles
Antrobus Community Shop & Tearoom
Antrobus Community Shop & Tea Room is a wonderful volunteer-run community hub based at Antrobus Village Hall in Cheshire. Originally created to save the village shop after its previous premises closed in 2018, the project quickly became a real centre of village life, bringing local residents together through good food, friendly faces and community spirit.
The tea room offers barista-style coffee, homemade cakes and light refreshments alongside everyday essentials and locally sourced produce, creating a welcoming space for villagers, walkers, cyclists and visitors alike. Run entirely by volunteers, it has become known for its warm atmosphere, strong community values and excellent local support.
Located beside the village hall and playground, the shop and tea room also provides indoor and outdoor seating, cycle racks, free WiFi and accessible facilities, making it a popular stop for all ages.
Duration: 2h 30m | Round trip Distance: 17.2 miles
Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden
Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden is a historic walled garden in Grappenhall, Warrington, Cheshire, England. The garden was built by Thomas Parr around 1830 as both a pleasure garden for relaxing strolls and as a kitchen garden to produce fruit, vegetables, and herbs.
Duration: 3h | Round Trip Distance: 20 miles
Lymm Dam
Lymm Dam is a scenic man-made lake in Lymm, Warrington, Cheshire. Created in the early 19th century during the construction of a turnpike road, the dam quickly became a focal point of the village. Surrounded by woodland trails and rich wildlife, it offers a peaceful setting for walks, fishing, and nature watching, and remains one of Lymm’s most cherished natural landmarks.
Duration: 2h 45m | Round Trip Distance: 20.9 miles
Anderton Boat lift & Coffee Shop
The Anderton Boat Lift, often called the “Cathedral of the Canals,” is a striking feat of Victorian engineering that has linked the River Weaver with the Trent and Mersey Canal since 1875. Set amid the gentle Cheshire countryside, it rises above quiet waterways, wooded banks, and rolling farmland, where narrowboats glide past reeds and wildlife thrives. The surrounding landscape, calm and green, perfectly complements the lift’s iron grandeur, making the area a place where industrial history and rural beauty meet in a uniquely peaceful way.
Duration: 2h 30m | Round Trip Distance: 21 miles
Marbury Country Park
Marbury Country Park is a beautiful green space near Northwich, centred around the stunning Budworth Mere, a tranquil lake offering gorgeous views across the water towards the historic church at Great Budworth.
Ancient woodland, open parkland, and streams surround the mere, providing a rich haven for wildlife from bats to beetles.
Many of the park's features, including its impressive lime avenues and arboretum, are a legacy of the days when Marbury was a grand estate, giving the park a sense of history to complement its natural beauty. With well-maintained paths & picnic areas, it's a wonderful destination for a cycle ride.
Duration: 3h | Round Trip Distance: 21.2 miles
Arley Hall and Antrobus Tea Room
Arley Hall is a 19th-century stately home in Cheshire, featuring a listed hall, chapel, historic barns, and extensive formal and informal gardens. While we don’t stop inside the Hall’s grounds, we do ride through the beautiful estate countryside and usually take a break at the always warm and welcoming Antrobus Community Shop and Tea Room for a coffee and a slice of locally made cake.
Duration: 3h | Round Trip Distance: 25 miles
Delamere Forest Retreat Cafe
Delamere Forest is the largest area of woodland in Cheshire, located not far from the city of Chester. It’s a popular escape for nature lovers, offering a mix of scenic walking trails, cycling routes, and peaceful lakes surrounded by dense forest.
Originally part of a medieval hunting forest, Delamere has evolved into a well-managed public space known for its rich wildlife and varied landscapes. Visitors can explore spots like Blakemere Moss, a tranquil lake at the heart of the forest, or follow marked trails that range from gentle strolls to more active routes.
Duration: 3h30m | Round Trip Distance: 25.3 miles
Penny Lane, Dre's Desserts & Coffee
Starting at CHI Community Café in Castlefields, we roll out through the local lanes and pick up the riverside paths, enjoying easy cruising as we head towards Liverpool. Following a mix of traffic-free stretches and steady road sections, we make our way into the city, soaking up the atmosphere as we approach the iconic Penny Lane. Rolling along this famous street, we finish up at Dre’s Desserts for a well-earned coffee and cake, the perfect sweet reward at the end of the ride. 🍰☕🚲
Duration: 3h 30m | Round Trip Distance: 26.8 miles
Newton le Willows, Mamma J's Cafe
Starting at CHI Community Café in Castlefields, we roll out towards the River Mersey and cross over via the Runcorn bridge, enjoying the river views as you head into Widnes. Drop down into Spike Island, following the riverside paths before picking up the Sankey Canal / Sankey Valley Greenway, a mostly flat, traffic-free stretch that winds through parks and greenery alongside the canal. Stay on the Sankey Valley route as it leads you steadily towards Newton-le-Willows, then peel off into the town centre and finish up on the High Street at Mamma J’s Café for a well-earned brew and bite.
Duration: 3h 30m | Round Trip Distance: 29.3 miles
Partridge Lakes
Partridge Lakes cafe is a well-known countryside stop set within the picturesque Partridge Lakes, a tranquil complex of nine spring-fed lakes surrounded by greenery and wildlife. Popular with anglers and walkers alike, it’s a peaceful spot that makes a perfect mid-ride refreshment stop.
Duration: 3h 45m | Round Trip Distance: 30.3 miles
Sankey valley loop
Sankey Valley Park is a beautiful green space located in Warrington, Cheshire. It follows the course of the historic Sankey Canal which was the first modern canal in England, dating back to 1757. The park combines natural beauty, wildlife habitats, and local history, making it a popular destination for walking, cycling, and family outings.
The area features scenic trails, woodlands, wetlands, and open grasslands, providing a peaceful escape away from the local industrial towns. Information boards and preserved canal structures highlight the region’s industrial heritage, while the park’s diverse wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and aquatic species, makes it an important ecological site.
Duration: 4h | Round Trip Distance: 31.8 miles
Altrincham Market
A welcoming shared space with a variety of vendors offering delicious, high-quality food - the perfect spot to grab a bite and a drink while we rest up for the journey back.
Duration: 4h | Round trip Distance: 32.9 miles
Little Lock Coffee Shop, Middlewich
Canal-side coffee shop with friendly staff serving delicious coffee, breakfast baps, lunchtime snacks and sweet treats
Duration: 4h15m | Round Trip Distance: 34.6 miles
Liverpool Pier Head
Liverpool Pier Head is one of the city’s most iconic waterfront areas, dominated by the historic Three Graces that reflect its proud maritime past. Overlooking the River Mersey, it’s a lively space where ferries, museums, and open plazas come together, offering sweeping views and a strong sense of Liverpool’s history and identity.
Duration: 4h30m | Round Trip Distance: 37.5 miles
Carr Mill Dam, St Helens
Carr Mill Dam is a large freshwater reservoir located in St Helens, in the northwest of England. Despite its name, it is actually a lake rather than a dam, and it is the largest body of inland water in Merseyside.
Originally created in the 18th century to supply water for the nearby milling industry, Carr Mill Dam has since developed into a well-used recreational area. Today, it is especially popular with cyclists, offering scenic routes around the water that are suitable for both casual riders and more regular cycling groups. The relatively flat terrain and open surroundings make it an accessible and enjoyable location for training rides or relaxed outings.
The paths around the reservoir are also shared with walkers and runners, creating a lively but peaceful outdoor space. Its natural setting, combined with wide views across the water, makes it a favourite spot for local cycling clubs and individuals looking for a safe, scenic place to ride.
Overall, Carr Mill Dam is valued not only for its historical significance, but also as a key outdoor space for cycling and leisure within the local community.
Duration: 4h 45m | Round Trip Distance: 37.6 miles
Net's Cafe, Burton, Wirral
Perched on the marshes route from Shotton to Neston, we stop at this lovely café overlooking the Dee Estuary - a favourite among cyclists and walkers. The ride also takes in the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port, historic Hadlow Station, and a return via the picturesque Chester Millennium Greenway.
Duration: 6h | Round Trip Distance: 52.2 miles
Southport Circular
Making the most of Liverpool City Region’s fantastic cycle infrastructure, this route takes in both the Liverpool Loop Line and the Cheshire Lines section of the Trans Pennine Trail. We head to this beautiful seaside town, known for its vibrant mix of independent restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions. With its historic Victorian architecture, iconic Iron Pier, year-round events, and great shopping, there’s always something to enjoy here.
Duration: 7h 30m | Round Trip Distance: 75.5 miles
