It’s the start of the New Year and looking out of the bedroom window this morning I was delighted to see that, although overcast, the weather was dry and there was no frost. The forecast was for some wind and rain from 11:00 onwards but it didn’t sound too bad. That was it then, decision made; it was off to the New Year’s Day meet at The Carden Arms in Tilston via the Blue Moon Café. By 10:00 as I was preparing to leave home it started spotting with rain. By 10:15 on the way to the Blue Moon it was definitely raining! With one bike parked outside when I arrived I guessed that I could at least count on some company on the ride to Tilston. I joined David Mathews with a cup of tea and we chatted while watching the rain get heavier. By 10:45 David decided that he was going home to get changed and then drive to Tilston! I decided to cycle: it’s only rain after all.
Leaving the warmth of the Blue Moon I headed through Handbridge to take Lache Lane south to Dodleston and on to Pulford. By now the wind was picking up, the rain was unrelenting and progress was slow. A left in Lavister took me onto the exposed road to Holt straight into the wind driven rain, making riding distinctly unpleasant and leaving me wondering if I shouldn’t have tried an alternative route. In Holt I resisted the temptation to stop for a coffee in Hildegard’s and crossed the swollen River Dee into Farndon to take the usual route along Wetreins Lane to Tilston in the continuing rain.
There were no more than a dozen bikes outside the Carden Arms this year, clearly demonstrating the effect of the adverse conditions. In my case sodden gloves that when rung out released a waterfall of rainwater and “waterproof” cycling boots that squelched at the slightest movement.
Photographs by Sue Booth
Inside a goodly number of CTC Chester Section members had just arrived and were drying themselves out. Numbers from the other groups: Mold, Wrexham, Two Mills and Wednesday were sadly few in number this year. Food was limited to stew or stew but proved to be both appetising and warming. Just right for a day like this.
After an hour and a half of chat catching up with the latest news and gossip it was time to leave. By now the rain had stopped and I joined the Chester group for the ride back. With Sue leading and the wind behind us we made good progress to complete a memorable first ride of 2014 with 35 miles done.
BW
Eeeh, both you and they have put the rest of CER to shame. But that last wine at 0230 on NYE was well worth it. Happy New Year . Brian mac
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