Local Courses
Courtesy of Chris Storey [October 2005]
10 Mile TTs
J2/1 - Chelford - Map of course
The fastest course in the area. I have been in two races where the winner did under 20 min (19:55 and 19:58). The course runs from a layby on the the A537 near to Bollington Lane. It crosses Chelford roundabout and passes through Chelford village and then on to the turn at Booths Hall roundabout. On the return, after going through Chelford Village you go across Chelford roundabout onto the A537 and on untill you get to the end about 1 mile from Chelford island. Its quite flat. Most of the evening club 10s are held on this course as are most of the open 10s in the area. There are usually a couple of 2up races in in mid-summer and a ladies invitation. Stuart Dangerfield holds the course record.
J2/3 - Yellow Broom - Map of course
About 1 min slower than J2/1 as the first couple of miles on Twemlow Lane to the A535 are very slow. It starts on Twemlow Lane and winds to the A535 where you turn left and continue to Chelford roundabout, encircle the roundabout, and then return up the A535. It is often used for early season events. Charles McCulloch, ex MTC, used to hold the course record with a 21:04 but in 2005 Gethin Butler did a fabulous ride and got under 21 min.
The first 2km is an uphill drag, there are 2 dips/clinbs on the way out at 4 and 6.5km, the turn is at 9.5km and the dips/climbs are at 12.5 and 14.5km.
Gawsworth
This course, which runs from Gawsworth on the A536 to Congleton and back, looks like it would be slow as it has hardly any flat, it is either going up or down. But in fact it can be very fast - some would say as fast as J2/1. It is mainly used for club 10s during the summer.
JC17
This is a hardish slow course which starts on the A34 at Siddington. It goes south to the roundabout at Congleton, encircles the island and back northwards on A34 to Siddington and then turns left into Salters Lane (B5392) for 0.69m to the finish.
25 Mile TTs
J2/9 - Map of course
The standard Manchester 25 mile course. Starts on Badger Bank which is close to the entrance to the Jodrell Bank radio telescope, then does a 17 mile circuit via the A535 to Chelford then the A537 towards Knutsford. A mile before Knutsford you turn left into Seven Sisters Lane and then left again onto the A50. You turn left into Twemlow Lane and then left again back onto the A535. You then do a second half circuit to cover 25 miles. The course record has been broken a few times in recent years and is now held by Stuart Dangerfield who did 51.18 in August 2005.
J4/5 and J4/6
Alternatives to J2/9 which are used for a few events. They both run on circuits from Byley and in general have very poor road surface and both run along King St which can be very busy.
J8/13 - Gawsworth - Map of course
Hardest 25 mile course in the area. It is hilly and has lots of bends and so is quite demanding of bike handling skills. There is usually a 2up on this course early in the season. It starts near Gawsworth on the A536 heading towards Macclesfield. Turn left at Warren and then left again at Lower Pexhill. This gets you onto the B5392. You follow the road and turn left onto the A34. This takes you to Congleton where you turn left to get you back onto the A536. Then you do a second lap. For some events it is run as a 38km course.
50 Mile TTs
J4/16 - Map of course
Only 50 mile course in the Manchester district and is 3 times round the J2/9 circuit. The course record is held by Charles McCulloch (ex MTC) with 1.45.49. set in 2005.
Super fast courses!
L1015 - Levens
This fast 10 mile course is a few miles from Kendal, just before the lake district. It runs on the A590 near Levens and turns at the roundabout near Lindale. It is about 7 miles dual carriageway and 3 miles single carragway but its main attraction is its downhill start and a large roundabout which you can go around very fast. It is a very safe course. Its at least a min faster than J2/1 maybe even a min and 20sec faster. Course record is 18.20 by Bradley Wiggins set in 2005 (which is only 1 sec slower than the British 10 mile record.)
O10/2
A course on the A1 across the pennines. Jeff Sherrin,Carine Van Schie and Dave Leak have set club records on this course and it is a good min faster than J2/1.
For more see the Cycling Time Trials web site.