What a gorgeous summers’ day it turned out to be. Ray met me on the ride out to Rose Farm - he was only out for a short ride, as he was getting ready for his Spanish cycling trip next week. So with a lot of us out, the brisk group of Ivan, John, Tom and myself set off bound for the White Lion at Barthomley. The route out was via the Cheshire lanes of Cotebrook, Rushton and Wettenhall. Here Ray peeled off at the now defunct Boot and Slipper pub. We motor on through Church Minshull to appear at Bradford Green. Through Coppenhall Moss we arrive at Ettiley Heath. At the roundabout, the access to the NCR5 is cunningly hidden. So we start on the Wheelock Line Trail, which runs down to, Malkin’s Bank locks. Ivan’s aunty used to live in one of the houses near the canal but, as he was only 6 at the time, he can’t remember which one!
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| Malkin's Bank Locks |
Photographs by John Wilkie and Clive Albany
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| Steak and Ale Pie at the White Lion |
On through Hassall Green, we go over the M6 and back under and then under again to access the next part of NCR5, the Salt Line. This skirts Day Green to enter Alsager via Lawton Heath End. Out via Foxley, we go over the A500 and via Audley to go over the M6 for the fourth and last time. The run into Barthomley clocks up 29 miles and the White Lion is a welcome sight. The range of ales is impressive and the historic steak and ale pie is as excellent as ever.
The sun is high and warm but there is still 26 miles to go so we set off towards Weston. I take a wrong turn to Weston, but correcting on the fly, we end up where we should be on our way via Shavington to Nantwich. Passing Bamford Hall on the way, Ivan remarks that it was here that he passed his BR Medical in 1970. Rather than the usual long drag up to Wettenhall, I choose to go via Aston and Brindley back to Tilley’s for a cream tea. The route back to Rose Farm runs up 55 miles, but we four head back to Chester knowing that we have 80+ miles on the clock. Only a rear wheel puncture at Tattenhall spoils my day. We averaged 16.2 mph on the hottest day of the year so far, and for me, not bad for a “soon to be OAP+2 years old".
See route map and/or gpx file download.
CA
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