Ivan needed to see his doctor for a check-up post his knee operation, and so he was unable to get to Rose Farm on time. So we met at Meadow Lea farm cafe to plan a suitable route out. Ivan’s recuperating very well, and considering the operation was late October, he’s now managing 50+ mile rides! So although John W was on his bike, he was only out for coffee today. This meant that Ray, Ivan and myself set off bound for Bradfield Green. Out via Christleton to Huxley, it was at the Brassey Green turn that Ivan decided that the combination of the rain and 0C temperatures was adversely affecting his new knee. Reluctantly but wisely, he called it a day.
Ray and I decided to battle on in the rain. Out through Tarporley to Eaton, thence to Darnhall and Winsford, we were now going south on the A530 to Occlestone Green. Here we turn off bound for Warmingham and Coppenhall Moss. So after 32 miles in the wet and cold, Minshull’s Garden Centre cafe was a welcome sight. It’s situated just off the traffic lights on the Church Minshull road and A530 junction. The car park was nearly full as was the cafe. Ray and I have been once before and enjoyed the waitress service. The All day Breakfast combo suited us both. The quality and quantity was excellent and the price was fair. It should be on the favourite lunch list for rides out of Rose Farm.
I called Ivan and he was home recuperating in the warm. He advised that it was dry in Chester, so we were unlucky to have been cycling under the same rain cloud as it progressed eastwards from Chester to Crewe. Encouragingly the rain had stopped as we left bound for Church Minshull. The route back was familiar but bleak as it had definitely got colder. Crossing the outgoing route at Ruston, we take the hillier route back via Rose Farm and thence to Willington, Oscroft and Waverton and home.
The round trip was 55 miles and mid 60’s when I arrived home at 1515. Bike washing was the order of the day.
CA
PS: Ivan’s knee had fully recovered by the next day.
Good to hear that Ivan is making such a good recovery from his operation. Sounds like he'll be going supersonic this summer! We did wonder where the 'briskers' had got to when we met at Rose Farm - for a minute we thought you'd wimped out!
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