Today is the day of the Club’s annual long ride
with 12 members scheduled to ride. How many would show for the
alternative, particularly as the start was changed at the last minute to the
Chester Station Café as the Little Roodee was still closed? I arrived
early but soon there was a steady trickle of members arriving for coffee.
By 10:15 seven of us had assembled: Bryan, Chris, Mike McC, Trevor, Petar, Andy
(after quite an absence) and Mike G. No one had a pre-prepared route but
Trevor volunteered a couple of suggestions and Andy a ride to Wrenbury.
With a minimum of discussion we plumped for Wrenbury.
At 10:30 Trevor led us out through Piper’s Ash to
Christleton where Andy took the lead. The weather was good and with the
wind behind us we made good progress through Huxley past Beeston Castle and
onto Bunbury resisting a stop at Tilly’s. With the temperature
rising we made a stop to shed a layer before pressing on through Brindley and
Ravensmoor where we turn south criss crossing the Llangollen Canal for the
final stretch to Wrenbury.
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| Photo by Mike G |
The Cotton Arms was our chosen hostelry where the
wide choice of real ales was much appreciated to wash down the excellent double
decker sandwiches. The discussion today was dominated by Theresa May’s
new cabinet appointments as the sound of mobile phone alerts constantly
announced new appointments. With bewilderment at some of the choices
Petar reminded us of Machiavelli’s dictum to keep friends close but enemies
even closer!
After lunch a more direct and shorter route back
was agreed through the lanes past Cholmondeley Castle, over Harthill and thence
to Tattenhall. With the wind against us progress was a little slower than
on the way out but nevertheless we made Tattenhall by 15:00. Andy took us
to a new tea stop in the village, which unfortunately had just closed for the
day. The alternatives of the Ice Cream Farm and Old Ma’s were
considered. With the decision to head for the Ice Cream Farm Trevor took
to the front to lead a somewhat circuitous route despite cries to the contrary
from the back of the group.
After a relaxing coffee and cake we finished the
ride back to Chester through Saighton where the group fragmented. Overall
we had done some 52 miles in true CER style. A great day out in good
company and ideal cycling weather.
BW
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