After climbing (walking?) Mow Cop the Cheshire Cat heads over towards Congleton, avoids the town centre and starts up Congleton Hill - at 5.5km and with 224m gained. Most of the climbing comes in two separate 12% sections with a 6% in between and then a long 6% drag up to the top. Strava section is http://app.strava.com/activities/64893065#1234313377
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| Congleton Hill |
Great views of Staffordshire Moorland from the top and a smooth descent with a few lumps and bumps as the route heads over towards Meerbrook.
On the way is a short, stiff climb - Meerbrook Rd - which you might think is the start of the next big one - but it isn't.
Over this and down to Meerbrook and sharp left starts you properly on the 2nd climb - Gun Hill - only you won't notice as it gradually increases from 4% to 6% to 8% and then bang, suddenly you're doing 16% - where did that come from? 2.3km and 150m gained - mostly at 12% after that 16% and smooths out towards the top.
http://app.strava.com/activities/64893065#1234313379
After Gun Hill its easy to think its all done. You start descending through picturesque glades and then get hit by a very abrupt up turn - I thought it was someones driveway rather than the road - and on the Cat I predict there will be people caught out in the wrong gear on this one.
Over this and down to Meerbrook and sharp left starts you properly on the 2nd climb - Gun Hill - only you won't notice as it gradually increases from 4% to 6% to 8% and then bang, suddenly you're doing 16% - where did that come from? 2.3km and 150m gained - mostly at 12% after that 16% and smooths out towards the top.
http://app.strava.com/activities/64893065#1234313379
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| Gun Hill |
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| Round this corner I swear its 20% (tree cover means the Garmin struggled) |
On Strava this hill is know as "Wincle Hill with Hairpin" but on the road the latter part is Barlow Hill - a total of 3.8km and 173m gained. After the panic attack hairpin/20% you continue climbing at 12%, then drop a bit - and think its all done - but really you aren't even halfway and soon you are climbing again with lots more 12%
Eventually you top out on to the main A54, and that's it for the big climbs on the Cheshire Cat.