22nd January 2026 : Pickmere (mod)

Well let’s start, on cycling the 10 miles to Delamere, the weather decided "No soft lad it’s not going to be fine" as it started to rain heavily filling the massive pot holes with water, which helped me seeing them . Arriving at the cafe meet and being met by my cycling buddy for the day, aka Dave H, had surprised me as we know Dave is an another name for being Lastminute.com . 

Then the other motley crew arrived, our 2 Welsh lads aka Alan and (obviously he’s not allowed out without his side kick) Steve. Also appearing was Clive who was given the task of being the "nearly fast not quite group" carer for the day, and finally at the Lastminute Chris and Toby. Dave M also arrived but was doing his own stuff. So Dave and I had a typical "Keith and Dave plan" which had a destination named, but getting there was another thing, so the destination was Knutsford . 

The route out was via Crowton then Acton Bridge and heading towards Arley Hall then the usual discussion concerning "let’s just go this way and down this lane", mainly because we can as there’s only us two and it's like discovering various other routes. Anyway we ended up in Pickmere at the Red Lion which was warm which was a much needed respite from the rain wind and chill. 

Earlier at the meet we  where chatting about the cost of our lunch venues now compared to last year and now being a retiree, and the rest mostly pensioners except Chris and Toby mind, was how pub grub and cafe meals are so expensive for what you’re getting. Anyway me and soft lad bit the bullet and ordered off the main menu. This is where I know my eyesight is bad because seeing my pie dinner arriving I thought "Oh that’s a new one on me chipotle sausages "oops, no they were carrots cooked in a oil looking "un-orange" . 

So after the 20 miles to said pub, we left and headed back covering another 19 miles through Great Budworth, Comberbach and back up the hills through Acton bridge and Crowton etc so we actually achieved some climbing kudos. Dave remember has only recently had a new body part, so what he achieved needs a well done, and if it was in school it would have merited a gold star . We arrived back at Delemere after a fantastic day of cycling in the damp cold and wet a lot of the time conditions. The motto of our mod group is "not quite plus" but definitely not "slow group" and, if in doubt just try it as it leads to somewhere we might recognise plus we’re out cycling.

KB

22nd January 2026 : Bunbury (mod +)

Well it was the hardy group of Keith, Dave H, Clive, Dave M, Alan and I that sat down in the Station Cafe to be educated on Dave’s medical procedures, his new dog and Dave M’s second E bike project. 

No one seemed put off by the rain which to be fair had abated, keeping its best downpours for when we left the cafe ! Whilst we waited for Dave H to find his paper maps, Last Minute.com arrived with a trainee Last Minuter in tow,Toby. Apparently Toby had rolled out of bed at 09:55 following a late evening of fixing a leak on his fish tank pipework. Chris’s precision of arriving at 10:30 on the dot could be compared with Luke Littler’s ability to hit 180 time after time.

So we bade farewell to the two Dave’s and their carer Keith, and set off on one of the Whisperer’s routes to Bunbury. A mere 35 miles, but given the weather and the fact the three Chester lads would be knocking on the door of 55 miles plus with the above., it was enough for today. 

The issue with this route is that it takes in the Whitegate Way. A glorious leafy ride in spring or summer but not in slutchy January day. However our secret weapon, Clive, prevailed and led us through Coddington despite Steve H taking us up a private drive LOL!

Following Steve’s hopeless navigation, we were soon buzzing along Clay Lane towards Little Budworth. It’s fair to say all the lanes were in poor condition and dirty along with remnants of hedge cutting and the inevitable pot holes. 

A quick photo opportunity by Knicker Brook followed a steady ride through Ruston, Tilstone Bank and then to Bunbury. Clive spotted a new venue here which we must try in the future. Tilly’s was empty apart from Clarrisa-Sunrise, Juniper Saffron and India drinking their matcha’s whilst five sweaty wet cyclists tucked into jacket potatoes, Vegan options specials, or in Chris’s case the staple egg butty. 

Alan is hidden behind the lens!

On leaving Honey’s, it was reassuring to see the rain had held off, but it was cold. You can’t underestimate how cold the first two or three miles feel after a warm cafe stop when wrapped in damp clothing and sodden gloves! Soon we were zooming around Beeston and plunging down to the Shady. Not content with nearly wiping me out with a Kamikaze descent , Chris tried to squish a lone squirrel. Fortunately the squirrel was faster than Chris (some say not hard to achieve!) and all five of us crested Bates Mill Lane and set off down Crib Lane. 

The lanes of Eaton and Cotebrook quickly warmed us up with the few steady climbs this ride affords .It is a Neil T ride eg no wind no hills -  LOL. Just prior to the straight into Delamere, Clive led Toby and Chris on a more direct route to Chester via Waverton. 

A pleasant 35 miles from the cafe but a more challenging 57 for the Chester lads, with plenty of banter and enjoyable company. 

See route map and/or gpx file download

Steve H 

15th January 2026 : Whitegate (mod)

I always look forward to riding from Meadow Lea. Not least because, being my closest starting point, I get to have a lie-in on a Thursday. Although it was going to be a cold day the prospect of a rain-free day with little wind was enough to attract a good number of riders. Seven of these were moderate riders, these being Andy W, Dave H, David M, Keith Mike G, Ray and me. Dave had a ride in mind but was quite happy to go with mine – a 41-mile trip to Whitegate with without too many hills.

We took the usual route out via Wicker Lane, cycling through Waverton and down Martins Lane. After passing through Hargrave and reaching the Tattenhall road we ignored the 'road closed' signs and turned left. However we did our best not to ignore the numerous holes in the road as we cycled up towards Huxley. We then cycled through Tarporley and on to Eaton where David was seduced by the smell of coffee and lured into The Drays Coffee Shop never to be seen again. (Not really – I made that last bit up).

The remaining six of us rode on through Darnhall to the outskirts of Winsford where we wound our way through the backstreets to reach the big roundabout at the bottom of High Street. We usually use the underpass to get across the dual carriageway safely but it had been fenced off and replaced with a light controlled crossing. Having got across we cycled up past the old salt mines heading for the end of the Whitegate Way. We had intended to cycle along this but it was clear that it was going to be muddy. I decided that staying on tarmac would be a better idea. An extra mile or two and a few more ups and downs but a lot less scrubbing of the bikes afterwards. The diversion took us through Whitegate village and brought us close to our intended lunch stop at the Whitegate Station House Cafe.

When we arrived at the cafe the lady at the till was already looking flustered. She admitted that several groups had come in at the same time and the cafe was full. She had just finished doing this and the arrival of six hungry cyclists did nothing to help. Anyway she managed to hold it together and took our orders and by the time that was done we had managed to find seats. It is a community-run cafe and the staff (all local volunteers) were brilliant and soon had the simple but delicious food in front of us.

We always forget to take a photo for the blog. I was determined that we would have one this time so after lunch I rounded them all up in front of the old station sign and took a selfie of the group. I only noticed Mike's pose afterwards. I didn't know what he was doing but Mike did offer a suggestion – which I can't possibly print it here!

Our return was by way of a more direct route. We carried on along Clay Lane, crossing the A54 and passing the main entrance to Oulton Park. We crossed the A49 at Cotebrook and headed up towards Utkinton, passing close to Rose Farm. From there we carried on to Duddon and past Walk Mill before reaching the top end of Martins Lane. We were then retracing our steps from the morning back to Meadow Lea.

With about 400m to go I left the group. There were a few disgruntled mutterings about leaders not leading to the end of the ride, but I ignored them. I had every confidence in their ability to find their way back without getting lost. It was a good day out with almost 43 miles under our belts.

See route map and/or gpx file download

TC

15th January 2026 : Tiverton (mod +)

A cold start for me on route to Meadow Lea, in order to meet the crowd, literally! 

Meadow Lea was rammed, in fact Shane couldn’t park (that’ll teacher him to get up earlier and ride in -Lol. I reckon there were possibly 17 of us on what looked like one of the best days since before Xmas, as there was virtually no wind and no rain expected. Still chilly, but almost summer like compared to last weeks ride- Lol.

I had a plan to ride to the Lockgate on the A49, which is a quirky cyclists cafe, rarely visited. I got outside expecting to have my usual small group, only to find I had 9!Clearly the fast boys were feeling lazy and decided to tag on to yours truly. So, my band of merry men consisted of Shane, Toby, Kev aka ‘very nice man’, half of the CB’s in the form of Allan, non elec Ray, Chris, yours truly and the electric interlopers (Clive & John)

As we set off right, I was instantly wondering about my cafe pick, as 9 is more of a crowd than a group. The obvious alternative was Tilly’s, but that’s not much bigger really. However, I decided we’ll decide closer to the venue, but in the end the decision was taken out of my hands- Lol.

My first surprise for the group was to turn into Ince Lane, off Warrington Rd, which I am never too keen to be on. Ince Ln ultimately dropped us into Dunham On The Hill, via a nice little kicker. I heard somebody behind me suddenly realise where they were when they said “that’s a different way to get here” and then somebody else said, “where’s here”- Lol.

After turning right and then double left, we were then heading toward Manley Mere and enjoying another lovely stretch of smooth tarmac, which would become a theme for the day, as I had hoped I had remembered a lot of the new tarmac in the area. That brings me to the local councils and their efforts to keep the roads in good order, which I know many of you moan about, especially Jim -Lol.

I think they do very well at repairing the roads, that’s coming from an ex southerner. The roads up here are 10 times better than down in the shires ( Oxford & Buckingham, my old stomping ground)

It wasn’t long before we were crossing the A49 and starting the steady long 3 mile- ish haul up to the top of the Sandstone ridge via Kelsal, turning right at the Crows Nest cafe for a few more mtrs uphill. 

We turned left at the top of Chapel Hill and carried on up along Tirley Ln, after a few hundred Mtrs I turn right, strangely, still Tirley Ln, all the way down the fast descent into Utkinton.

We passed Rose Farm and descended into that horrible little kicker, which we all moaned about, except for the Electric interlopers of course, as they flashed by, chasing after Chris, who was leading the way uphill again, with me bringing up the rear, along side ‘the very nice man’. Now into the top of Tarporley high street I turned immediately left up the hill, which seems to get longer every time I ride it- Lol.

10 minutes later we were hurtling down Sapling Ln toward Eaton, in order to turn right, ultimately heading around Tarporley, because that high street is awful to ride through. It was now time to consider a diversion, if we were to find another lunch venue and I suddenly thought that Alison’s wasn’t that far away and a better option than Tilly’s, which meant turning right at Brook Rd, in order to get to Brassey Green. However, I suddenly realised the breakaway group were out of sight and we were therefore committed to riding the busier stretch of the A49, which I had intended to avoid. 

Anyway, we caught up with them at the traffic lights of the A49 junction. We should have done a little 2 mile meander in order to come out at the Tiverton junction, just 200 mtrs up the A49 from the Lockgate cafe, but the breakaway group buggered that up-Lol.

Slightly shorter route than planned, we arrived at the Lockgate cafe and fortunately there were 3 tables along side a big radiator- Oooh! We settled into our orders and spread ourselves across the 3 tables.

There were a few comments from those who hadn’t been there before, admiring the cycling memorabilia, in fact, Chris was taking photo’s of some of it whilst also admiring the rusty old frame outside, with no wheels and in fact no paint. Clearly he was thinking about his next bike, possibly an even better bargain than the £35 special he has been riding with us- Lol, Lol.

I was sat with ‘the very nice man’ and CB1 and there was no shortage of conversation, although most of it revolved around bike components as I tried to answer Kev’s questions. He is looking for a solution to his wife’s arthritis in her left hand, which makes it impossible to change gear so he was considering Di2, which I do have on my Look.

However, it just so happens I was on my Whyte on the day, for the first time this year, which happens to have an Apex 1 SRAM gear system , with double tap gear lever on the right brake lever. For those who may not know about SRAM gears, the double tap system means you select up and down your gears with the one lever and the perfect solution for Kev’s wife, who wouldn’t have to use her left hand at all (apologies, as I can’t remember her name-Lol) Anyway, food interrupted conversation, after a short-ish wait, which was good value, in the current over priced cafe market.

We set off again for a short return to Meadow Lea, via Tiverton and in the words of Clive “not the Tiverton in Devon”-Lol. We are soon through Brassey Green, with a very light tailwind and swinging around Black Swan corner, as I call it, heading uphill toward the 50p shop, which prompted somebody to ask me if said shop was still there, to which I responded with yes  “and the cafe is still going”.

A few minutes later we were passing very close to Okells ( one of the best cafes in the area, although a bit pricey for most)

After crossing the river Gowy, catching the traffic lights just right, we cruise past Walk Mill cafe and wind our way into Waverton, although the breakaway group were still out front and in fact simply carried on to Meadow Lea by turning right in Waverton and completely forgetting about the ride leader, who was bringing up the rear, again, with the very nice man’, because he is a gent-Lol. I tell Kev to turn right through the housing estate, as it might help him to catch them up, not that they cared mind you, which left yours truly suddenly riding on my own without so much as a by your leave- Lol.

So I wiped the tears from my eyes, as it dawned on me I was alone and set about finding my way home, as clearly there was no point in me going back to Meadow Lea. I just hoped that ‘the very nice man’ did catch them up. I got home 7 miles later with 50 miles on the clock and an unusually slow AS, which was 13.9 Mph, but it was hilly, although I think that just reflects the lack of winter miles and fitness.

A cracking day again, with no rain and some great company. It’s a good job the chatter box didn’t make it today other wise this would have been the longest blog ever.

Till next time gents,

See route map and/or gpx file download

NT

8th January 2026: Tattenhall (mod+)

 The first club ride of 2026 or at least for the majority of the club, as there were 3 brave soles or should I say mad!-Lol, who did manage to ride on the first day of the year, while most of us were nursing a hangover-Did nobody tell them it was New Year’s Day - Lol, Lol. 

Somebody, who shall remain nameless, but never stops chatting -Lol, talked me into turning up at Alison’s for a few ‘personal bests’; not only my shortest and flattest ride for years, but also my coldest ride of the year, in fact, my coldest for a couple of years-OMG! Alison’s is only 2 miles from my house, so I pitched up just in time to lead my group, although still before ‘last minute .com’-Lol.

I had plotted, what I can only term as a safe short route, due to all the recent snow and ice, which had almost all thawed, but some lanes in the area were still dodgy and hence, my simple route. The temperature for the day, as we later discovered, didn’t get above 1.7 degrees on my Garmin and at one point was only .9 degrees.

My group of willing madman for the day were the CB’s of course, Toby and Shane. 

The Brisk group were also setting off just as we were, leaving a few Mod riders still inside, leaderless. However, just as we were clipping in, DH appeared from behind a car to save the day.

 

Conscious of the impending threat of a Met office amber warning snow storm around 1pm, we set off on time and right out of Alison’s, into our biggest climb of the day-Lol.

 

We were heading toward Beeston and my favourite canal crossing past the ‘Shady’ pub. The lanes were much better than expected, although extremely wet in places, with a fair bit of run off. We were soon pedalling in the direction of Huxley and our intended canal road beyond, which dropped us into Waverton. We were basically riding an elliptical pan flat course back to Alison’s, with no intended lunch stop, which was another first for me.

 

Now through the road block on the A41 at Waverton, due to the traffic lights, we turn right to Saighton and then head right toward Huntington, specifically, the mini roundabout above the A55, where we turn left to Aldford, heading for Bruera. This was where the highlight of our simple but steady cruise around the local countryside became a bit of a dash, after CB2 decided to suddenly take off. This took Shane and I by surprise, as CB2 had warned me again about the pace of the ride, due to to much turkey over Xmas-Lol.

‘What’s he up to now’ was my comment to Shane, who without answering, simply stepped on the gas and set off after him, assisted by yours truly from behind, about 6” behind to be accurate-Lol. That took, pretty much, 2 miles to close him down, virtually all the way to Aldford bridge, where we turned left to Bruera. After a short stop for a few deep gasps, we then got going again at a more sedate pace, with the chatterbox surprisingly quiet-Lol.

 

We turned into Platts Lane and 2 miles later crossed the A41 again for a steady run toward Tattenhall, once we all regrouped after Shane dropped a water bottle. We then swung off left and past what was ‘Old Ma’s cafe, which is now open again, as part of ‘Cambers’, who have bought up the old farm and camping site. We rode past the ice cream farm and right back into Tattenhall. We could always see the weather front coming from Wales, for most of our ride, but it appeared to have stalled over the Welsh hills, which was good for Toby who was riding back to Chester.

All of us decided not to partake of anything at Alison’s, all agreeing that we didn’t fancy having to get back on the bike again afterwards. Mind you the CB’s had parked at Alison’s-Lol.  I’m not sure if somebody had also commented that we hadn’t earned a lunch anyway, or was it a little voice in my head-Lol, with only 25 flat miles under our belts & AS of exactly 15 mph -Lol.

I said cheerio, after thanking my fellow lunatics, for a reasonably pleasant ride in the end, made better by the usual banter. For once I was able to blast it home, with energy still left in the legs, after our somewhat unusual club ride. I got home with 29.9 miles on the clock and still no sign of the promised snow storm. I also noticed that the total ascent was less than 200 Mtrs, which has to be the flattest ride I can remember- Flatter than a flat thing- Lol.

Till next time my friends,

 

Neil T.

See route map anr/or gpx file download

8th January 2026: Tattenhall (mod)

Runcorn was gridlocked. Unbeknown to us, a lorry had overturned on the M56 and traffic had been piling up for some time. Our first challenge was just to extract ourselves from Runcorn away from the motorway and cross the River Weaver somewhere else. To cut a long story short, Keith in his Volvo and Steve Tan and I in my Berlingo arrived forty minutes later than intended. There was a good turnout of riders given the forecast of wild weather likely to reach us by mid-afternoon.

I had two planned routes, one of about twenty-three miles and another with a seven miles longer return from somewhere south-west of Malpas. The idea was to avoid stopping for lunch and to get back to Alison’s sometime before the predicted bad weather. We headed for Chowley and turned down Dog Lane. Despite ringing both Alison’s and the Wind Whisperer the day before and receiving largely positive messages about the condition of the local lanes, we were on the alert for any lingering snow and ice.

 I had a mishap at Barton when my shoelace caught in my pedal on a short stretch of uphill main road. I couldn’t pedal and couldn’t stop because I couldn’t get my foot down. Fortunately, I just keeled over onto the soft grassy verge. Three of the troops came back to untangle me as I lay with my leg raised and firmly attached to my bike. I did notice that Ray was just drumming his fingers waiting at The Cock O’Barton; at least he wasn’t splitting his sides laughing like the others. It was a good job that Keith had the strength to help haul up a 15 stone plus old person who was being careful to protect his new hip. That’s the last time I ask the missus to help me with my laces.  I think she’s after my life insurance money. My new bike shoes are lace less, thank goodness.

 Our next stop was Tilston and on to Shocklach where I turned left down Soughans Lane just before the familiar B5069. This part of the route was a first for most, as we wriggled down to Cuddington Green, passing Cuddington Hall south of the ‘B’ road before turning east on Dog Lane. We were soon passing my Renault Sport garage at Oldcastle Heath and heading into Malpas. Having confirmed that we would still prefer to save time and have lunch on our return to Alison’s, we started to climb through Malpas. A surprising thing happened as we approached The Old Fire Station Café: Clive came to the kerbside and asked me if I recognised this guy with a dog. It was Graeme Campbell. Evidently, Graham had mentioned my name to Clive’s group who were inside the café. Graham was a popular member of our club for a while before deciding it was a bit too much for him. Some of you may have met him eighteen months ago at Audlem Marina with a group of electric bikers from around Malpas.  After someone had caused him to fall off, he has now called it a day as a cyclist, but was in good spirits, and it was a pleasure to briefly talk to him once more.

 At Hampton Heath we needed to make another decision to go long via Bickerton, Peckforton and Beeston, or straight up to Broxton Old Hall and down and up to Bolesworth Castle. Our late start and Alison’s limited food offer after 2p.m. had to be factored in. Also, Trevor was cycling back to Guilden Sutton from Tattenhall. The decision was to take the short route via Brown Knowl. Trevor was feeling a loss of fitness having not cycled for a few weeks, and although I was feeling fine, I wasn’t exactly van der Poel -like pegging uphill. Steve would make impressive bursts of speed from time to time in a vain attempt to stay warm. We arrived in good time at Tattenhall. The food was appetising and the service friendly at a busy Alison’s. Trevor had an early sausage roll and Clive appeared for a short chat. Ray regaled us once more with the delights of holiday cruises, and interrogated Steve about his imminent luxury cruise to South East Asia, where he will meet relatives whilst there. Like last week, Steve was shivering heavily and his neck was very painful due to the cold. I am sure that we all wish that he has a relaxing, warm and relatively pain free time on holiday.  Apart from being rather cool the weather and road surfaces had not been a problem all day. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed the quiet, scenic lanes, and everybody should have returned home dry, including Trevor and Clive. A short 24 miles covered, with an extra twenty for Trevor.   

DH

See route map and/or gpx file download

8th January 2026 : Malpas (brisk)

It was a cold and misty ride out to Alison’s where eventually there were about 12 EasyRiders ensconced in the warm cafe. All talk was about the arrival time for Storm Gorreti and how we all could ride out safely and get back to Tattenhall before the arrival of the expected deluge of snow and/or rain.

I’d crafted a “snow whispering” route whereby we would head North then circle South East to Malpas and run for home from there if the storm timescale was accelerated. So with Ken, Ivan, and Nick and the JIT Young Chris, we head out for Beeston Castle and Bunbury.

The roads were clear of ice but quite muddy in places. The long run down to Brindley via Cappers Lane was suffering quite badly from erosion and, in a few isolated parts, there was a little ice showing. There was little traffic about except for hedge cutting tractors  - it was obviously the season for it. 

We head for Larden Green and Chorley on almost traffic free roads. Now heading for Wrenbury we soon take a right down through isolated Holtridge with its large modern Palladian-style “manor house” . The A49 crossing is virtually traffic free and we motor on towards No Man’s Heath.

However, before the A41 crossing, we dive left down Flag Lane - just for a change! After half a mile, we veer right onto the footpath to cross the A41 and ride on the old A41 into the back of No Man’s Heath. It’s now just a couple of miles into Malpas.

As we hit the High Street, there is the usual car jam which we thread through to stop at the Old Fire Station Cafe. Ivan and Chris decide to power on home via Tilston as Nick and I go inside looking forward to a warm lunch. Outside there are a couple of chaps drinking coffee and watching the world go by. One of them, called Graeme, asks Ken which ride group are we, which promptly makes Graeme say he was a member of CER 4 - 6 years ago!

I pop out and have a chat about the current EasyRiders and Graeme asks about Dave H. I go back inside and then see Steve T and Keith cycling by. I shoot out to see Dave H approaching and gesture for him to stop whereupon Dave and Graeme have a good chat about old times. Dave’s group were in fact on their way back to Alison's for lunch.

Back inside the Old Fire Station cafe our lunch arrives and very tasty it was. I recall the first time I rode with Easy Riders in October 2009 when Dave H, Brian Mac, and Graham lead me on a “long” 25 mile circuit” from Holt via Malpas and the Old Fire Station. 

This link here reports the events of that day on my first Easy Rider ride

Anyway enough of ancient history, with lunch over Ken and Nick state they are going to ride on to Tilston and split off from there for home. So we three take the fast and deserted Tilston road where I bear off right for Carden and thence to Clutton. No one is on the golf course except for a groundsman and three very large foxes who run parallel to me towards Clutton. Holywell Lane to Chowley Oak is just one long muddy experience as I now  run down into Tattenhall. I pop into Alisons to find Dave H’s group taking lunch. 

So the snow whispering routing has worked so far but at only 32 miles today’s ride was not very challenging or exciting - unless you count Nick’s self-sealing front wheel tubeless tyre puncture, several hedge cutting encounters, and three foxes running free.

I head for home with just under 60 miles ridden. The rain - when it did come - was just a drizzle really at 1500, and of course, there was nothing much really. So we in were lucky compared to lots of the UK.

So thanks to Nick, Ken, Ivan and Chris for their forbearance today and yet again it just proves it’s worth getting out on the bike almost whatever the weather.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

1st January 2026: Comberbach

We hadn’t expected this!  There were hundreds of cars in the car park at ten to ten at Delamere on New Year’s Day. I hadn’t anticipated a massively popular Park Run through the forest taking place.  The café was very busy, but the staff appeared to cope despite the queues for food and drink. Just as I thought that Steve Tan and I were the only club members to make it Steve Hughes and Alan appeared. It was great for me to be back catching up with friends and be ready to lead my first ride for months. Steve Hughes couldn’t join us for the ride, so it was just three of us that set out in the direction of Acton Bridge. Alan and Steve cruised up the climb from the Trent and Mersey Canal after crossing the A49, while I pegged away doggedly behind. We crossed the main Runcorn to Northwich road and later turned left at Cogshall Hall. We then meandered on a quiet network of small lanes, taking in the scenic Higher Whitley pond and finishing up around Whitley Reed. There is another pleasant loop available here that passes the house with two historic German flight training biplanes in a small hangar. I have seen the owner soaring into a clear blue summer sky from an adjacent field in the past. However, I was hoping to reach Knutsford for lunch, so turned right, heading straight for the Arley Estate. I recalled finishing up in Warrington hospital a few years back here after trying to identify birds in a field whilst spanking along with a tailwind and careering out of control. Coming out of the estate I passed the horse training centre at Arley Moss Farm where they had helped me get cleaned up before the ambulance arrived.   

My ambition to lunch at Knutsford was waning as time was knocking on, and with it being New Year’s Day, lunch arrangements could not be guaranteed to turn us around efficiently. My two sensible companions felt strongly that we needed to head back. We knew that the excellent morning sunshine was forecast to turn to heavy afternoon showers, and we could be battling a strong cold wind in fading light from Knutsford.  I think Steve may have had the Cock O’Budworth in mind as a lunch destination, but as I had visited the Spinner and Bergamot at Comberbach recently with Keith Barlow and rung them to ensure that they would be open, that’s where we headed. The pub was warm, the food was spot on, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Steve had trouble initially as he has less body fat than Tadej Pogacar and was shivering badly. 

As we went to set off back very heavy rain started. I was inclined to stay in shelter for a while to see if it would pass, but Steve was mindful to avoid finishing in poor light. The heavy rain did not last, and we were soon climbing up to Acton Bridge. I had already asked Alan and Steve to go ahead, as following my hip job I was likely to be a fair way behind them up the climbs back to Delamere. We had some more rain on the last leg, but as so often, I think that the three of us were glad that we had made the effort, rather than sitting at home. Alan had done very little cycling lately, and obviously it was a big step for me. Steve is re-assessing his warm clothing requirements. I have to thank them for their patience.  It is so relaxing to be in their company and great to be back.   

DH

See route map and/or gpx file download