Wilier Cheshire Cobbled Classic - Course Details
An in-depth view of this event.
The Wilier Cheshire Cobbled Classic is inspired by the Tour of Flanders – the Belgian one-day Classic. It features twelve cobbled sectors, including five cobbled climbs that exceed 20% in gradient. The most notable of these is the frighteningly-steep Corkscrew, a twisting, snaking cobbled road whose 45% maximum gradient makes it the steepest climb in the country. Much of the course is located within the Peak District National Park, starting in the beautiful Lyme Park (National Trust). The route contains over 3000m of climbing, and the event builds to a climax with a rapid succession of cobbled climbs, including the iconic Swiss Hill, a 25% cobbled climb used by Team Sky to prepare specifically for the Tour of Flanders. The profile of Swiss Hill can be viewed here.
Sectors
| START | Lyme Park | |||
| Sector 10 (13km) | Start Lane | 300m | 30% max. | Cobbles |
| Sector 9 (19km) | Fernilee Reservoir | 1800m | Flat | Hard-packed stones |
| Sector 8 (25km) | The Corkscrew | 200m | 45% max. | Cobbles |
| Sector 7 (26km) | Bank Clough Farm | 600m | – 5% | Gravel (descent) |
| FEED 1 (31km) | Robin Hood Inn, Rainow. SK10 5XE | |||
| Sector 6 (65km) | Horseshoe Lane | 200m | Flat | Cobbles |
| Sector 5 (66km) | Woodbrook Road | 300m | 20% max. | Cobbles |
| Sector 4 (68km) | Swiss Hill | 600m | 25% max. | Cobbles |
| FEED 2 (97km) | Robin Hood Inn, Rainow | |||
| Sector 3 (98km) | Jumper Lane | 2000m | 25% max. | Broken tarmac/gravel |
| Sector 2 (100km) | Beeston Brow | 300m | 20% max. | Cobbles (irregular) |
| Sector 1 (106km) | Lyme Park | 1800m | 10% max. | Gravel |
| FINISH:107km | Lyme Park | |||
Profile
Interactive Map
In addition to the short, steep cobbled climbs, there are three major tarmac road climbs on the route. The first two of these climbs (Pym Chair and Ewrin Rd) average over 10% for long stretches. Note that these two climbs occur in the first 30km of the route; thereafter, the course descends onto the Cheshire Plain, with the only other long climbs being the ascents of Kerridge.
- Pym Chair. Fernilee Reservoir – Pym Chair (250m-470m) +220m elevation gain. 2.5km long. (21 km)
- Ewrin Road (280m-400m) +120m. 3.8km long. (29 km)
- Kerridge. Bollington (180m-250m) +70m. 2.0km long. (First passage at 34 km). Done in both directions.
Lyme Park – The Start and Finish of the Wilier Cheshire Cobbled Classic
Approaching the steepest part of the 45% max. ‘Corkscrew’.
The top of the Corkscrew with the climb to Pym Chair in the distance.
The long descent via Windgather Rocks to Kettleshulme in the Peak District National Park.
The rounded cobbles of the flat Bradford Lane sector, Alderley Edge.
The flatter Bradford Lane and Hocker Lane cobbled sectors between Prestbury and Alderley Edge.
Towards the top of the 25% ‘Jumper Lane’ gravel/broken tarmac climb.
Jumper Lane sector sign.
At the base of the cobbled Beeston Brow in Bollington. 20% max. gradient.
The unusual patchworked surface of Beeston Brow.
Beeston Brow in the 2015 Lapierre Cheshire Cobbled Classic
Irregular and broken cobbles as the route heads eastward to the Peak District.
The base of Swiss Hill, the final climb of the Cheshire Cobbled Classic. 25% maximum gradient.
The large rectangular cobbles of Swiss Hill, The gradient is less severe towards the top.
Fiorenzo Magni wins the 1948 Giro d’Italia for Wilier Triestina.