Wirral Bikeathon

The Wirral Bikeathon is an annual charity cycling event held in June on the northern part of the Wirral peninsula.

In aid of Leukaemia Lymphoma Research, who’s aim is to beat blood cancers, the Wirral event was first established in 1999 and is now one of the charity’s most popular Bikeathon rides. Other Bikeathon’s include;

• London Bikeathon
• Southend Bikeathon
• Woking Bikeathon
• Wokingham Bikeathon
• Grimsby Bikeathon
• Bristol Bikeathon
• Vyrnwy Bikeathon
• Rugby & Coventry
• Scottish Bikeathon
• North Wales Coast Bikeathon
• Bath Bikeathon
• Humber Bridge Bikeathon
• Wakefield Bikeathon

Money raised for this fantastic cause, goes towards much needed research and has surpassed £680,000 since being established in 1999, with 2012 being one of the best ever results with £44,000 being raised by the 1,000 participants.

This guide, How to Prepare for a Charity Bike Ride has been put together for less experienced cyclists and those who want some top cycling tips too.

Riders can enter via the Wirral Bikeathon website [www.wirralbikeathon.com] or simply turn-up on the day. Cyclists who want to leave it to the last minute pay an entrance fee of £20.00 (Children: £5.00) with those pre-registering paying just £10.00 (Children: £5.00). When you sign-up (before the day) you will receive an entry pack which will include an Official Bikeathon T-shirt, rider’s number and most importantly, a sponsor form. Everyone who completes the bike ride receives a special commemorative medal.

Map of Wirral Bikeathon

The Bikeathon route can be done as one circuit of 14 miles or a figure-of-eight route which covers 28 miles (see map). The route is across scenic paths, woodland tracks and minor roads. As this is on the Wirral and part of the route is along the coast, elevation is minimal and thus suitable for cyclists of all experience. The lowest level is 4m, which is along North Parade in Hoylake, and the highest a mere 100m as you cycle out of Irby Village. This is however on the second circuit so most riders may not experience this.

As the route takes in woodland paths, the track can get quite muddy when it rains (as it did in 2011 & 2012). However, I’ve seen road race bikes cope so tri-cross, hybrids and commuter bikes should manage fine. Personally, I do the circuit on a hardtail mountain bike so the woodland paths are fine, whatever the weather conditions, I’m just slower than the road bikes on the roads. But hey, it’s not a race!

Wirral Bikeathon : Bikes.org.uk
Track Length: 43.4km 
Altitude Range: 96m (Min Height: 4m ~ Max Height: 100m)
Total Climb: 285m | Total Descent: 284m 
Address: CH49 5PG Pensby and Thingwall Ward, Wirral District (B), England
Latitude: 53.3657650
Longitude: -3.09556961
		

Wirral Bikeathon Route

Circuit 1 – Part A

1. Start
2. Cycle thru Arrowe Park, following Signs and Stewards directions
3. Surface is woodland path so may be muddy if wet
4. Once thru Arrowe Park, turn left onto Arrowe Brook Road and then immediately left onto Arrowe Brook Lane
5. Continue along Arrowe Brook Lane until you come to a roundabout, cycle straight over and alongside the Irby Mill pub (no stopping!)
6. You’re now on Hillbank Road, on which you should continue for a few miles
7. Cycle passed the entrance to Royden Park and left onto Montgomery Hill
8. There is a slight incline here so change gear and keep going
9. Eventually you’ll come to quite a steep decline, which may not be suitable for young children who are less experienced cyclists. The first rule for all cyclists here is to test your brakes
10. At the bottom of Montgomery Hill, cross the roundabout onto Caldy Road
11. After 200 yds, turn left onto Croft Drive East
12. Follow the road until you turn left onto Croft Drive and then right onto the Wirral Way
13. At the end of the Wirral Way turn left onto Grange Road, which becomes Meols Drive
14. After one mile, turn left at the roundabout onto The King’s Gap and at the end of the road, turn right onto North Parade
15. North Parade becomes Meols Parade
16. At the end of Meols Parade you’ll reach Checkpoint 1
17. Well done, you’ve completed Part A

Circuit 1 – Part B

1. Turn right onto Bennett’s Lane
2. At the T-junction, turn left onto Park Road, which becomes Park Lane and then Carr Lane
3. You will come to a Railway Crossing, as always, cross with extreme care (safety stewards are in attendance)
4. At the end of Carr Lane, turn left onto Carr House Lane
5. At the T-junction, turn right onto Millhouse Lane
6. After 50 yds, go straight on at the traffic lights onto Saughall Road
7. Eventually, Saughall Road meets Saughall Massie Road, turn left and up the slight incline
8. After 750 yds, turn right onto Girtrell Road
9. At the bottom of Girtrell Road, go straight ahead onto a path, being careful of any pedestrians
10. The short path leads to Wood Lane but turn left onto Cortsway
11. At the end of Cortsway you’ll reach Greasby Road, using the pedestrian crossing, you straight over the road
12. This next section is a woodland pathway and leads back to Arrowe Park
13. At the end of the path, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing
14. Follow the path thru Arrowe Park until you reach an incline
15. You’re nearly there so one last effort
16. At the top of the incline follow the stewards directions until to reach the start/finish point
17. Congratulations, you’ve done it.

Circuit 2 – Part A

1. Set off along the same path as for Circuit 1
2. When directed, via towards the left for circuit 2 as circuit 1 goes right
3. As per Circuit 1, this is woodland path and so may be muddy if it’s wet
4. At the end of the path, turn right onto Thingwall Road, towards Irby Village
5. Cycle thru Irby and turn left at the T-junction onto Irby Road
6. This road climbs slightly until it levels out after around one mile
7. At the end of Irby Road, turn right onto Pensby Road then immediate left onto Whitfield Lane
8. This becomes Milner Road, at the end of which, turn right onto Barnston Road
9. Eventually you’ll come to a large roundabout, at which turn left onto Chester Road
10. After about one mile, turn left onto Parkgate Lane, towards Thornton Hough
11. At Thornton Hall Hotel, turn left onto Neston Road
12. This section ends at Smithy Hill

Circuit 2 – Part B

1. At the top of Smithy Hill, turn left onto Manor Road
2. After a mile or so, turn right onto Talbot Avenue
3. This is a straight, flat road, at the end of which, turn right onto Brimstage Road
4. This is a difficult junction so take extra care
5. Follow the road until you reach Green Bank on your left, and then turn left onto Brimstage Lane
6. Brimstage Lane eventually becomes Red Hill Road
7. These are narrow country lanes so be extra mindful of cars coming in the opposite direction
8. At the roundabout, take the right turn onto Lever Causeway
9. Little Storeton Lane is a sharp left turn but one that is well marshalled
10. After a short while, turn sharp right onto Landican Lane
11. This is quite a long, winding road that runs alongside the M53
12. Eventually it goes underneath it and continues beyond
13. Stay on Landican Lane until it reaches Arrowe Park Road
14. At the entrance to Arrowe Park, turn left into the Park
15. Follow the path through the car park and on to the start/finish
16. Well done, great effort, you’ve now completed both circuits

Wirral Bikeathon on Google Maps

Event Details

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