A grand day’s weather in prospect with high winds forecast, and they were right for once. We four, Ken, John, Tom, and myself, set off on a straight up-and-down route that was designed to get most of the climbs and 60% of the miles over by lunch and then enjoy the wind-assist 20 miles run back to Holt before the promised rain arrived. So, out the normal way to Bangor-on-Dee and then off passed the racecourse dodging left through to Cloy. Always into the wind, we press on through Dudleston Heath, through Crickett and Perthy bound for Tetchill. Now we make an anti-clockwise loop through these tiny lanes to Hordley bound for Cockshutt.
We arrive at the Dickin Arms in Loppington with 30 miles spent. The pub could do with a make-over, but the staff are welcoming and the fare quickly presented. The run back via Lyneal is at rocket speed as the wind is with us all the way back now. The game birds spread before us, and buzzards flap off their lookouts, and mushrooms abound in the leaf filled lanes; a proper November landscape. At Welshampton, I go off piste slightly to arrive at Tarts Hill and then onto Pigeon and Peartrees Lanes. These have to be the poorest surfaced lanes in the area as we bone-shake our way towards Sarn. It’s a short motor now along through Shocklach back to Holt where, after 50 miles, we arrive at 15:00.
The sky looks threatening and so Ken peels off towards Rossett and we three head for Chester. Arriving in Chester, the light rain starts and the gloom descends. So 75+ miles, glorious morning sunshine, deserted Shropshire lanes and good company. No one could ask for more out of ride.
CA
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