10th August 2017: Special Long Ride to Longden on Tern (mod)

A text from Our Beloved Leader at 0645 advised that he has touch of “Olympicitis” and wouldn’t be straying far from the smallest room, so would Steve T and I pick up the reins. We were all present and correct at 0750 in the Waverton carpark. The Two Johns would now lead out the Brisk group and meet us Moderates in Sainsbury’s Whitchurch cafe. So the Moderate peloton was Steve T, Keith, Dave H, George, Trevor, Mike G and myself. Jim was along for the ride to the cafe stop, and thence returning via the chippy in Waverton! The ride down country was unremarkable taking in Churton, Barton, Tilston, Chorlton, Malpas, Higher Wych and the enigmatic Agen. We arrived in Whitchurch at 1000 after 24 miles. The Briskers were just leaving!

Suitably refreshed with energy tanks refilled, we set off via a planned deviation to the published route. This brought us out in Ash Magna via Edgeley but back on route to Calverhall. There is then the long 4m lane to Market Drayton. Sliding through dubious architecture, we end up crossing the River Tern. The Tern rises near Baldwin’s Gate and flows into the Severn via the NT's Attingham Park near Wroxeter Roman City. The Tern Valley will feature on this next leg to Longdon on Tern.

Sutton Lane out of Market Drayton, skirts the curiously named Salisbury Hill and passes the Sutton upon Tern golf club. I espy a sign to Colehurst Manor (17C) and tempted by a narrow lane diversion, we ride lanes anew. Crossing the A41, we now run on an unauthorised routing yet parallel to the planned route joining up in Ollerton. Through Eaton upon Turn we cross the River Meese in the Tern valley at Great Bolas and slog up the incline, before running down to the “Tayleur Arms” at 1300 and 52 miles ridden. It was last October we were here, although this is  a “new” pub after the original one burnt down. A group of us first went here on a very wet ride in Nov 2011. There are some very interesting historical facts about the Tayleur on its website; it has links to Warrington Bank Quay. See http://www.tayleurarms.co.uk/history.html 

Photos by Mike G

The Briskers are just finishing their lunch as we order up. As we sit down they are getting ready to leave! Our meals come pretty quickly as we chat about the usual subjects. My iPhone needs a recharge but refuses to do so from my charger, so Trevor’s charger gives my phone a much needed boost; as we all need from our repast. All too soon it is time to leave knowing that there are 53 miles left to tick off. So a gentle climb back up the hill and a dive left and right finds us in tiny lanes heading north towards Muckleton. At last the sun is out as it had been a little reticent throughout the morning. The weather was perfect in that it was not too hot with a gentle breeze and sunshine.

We now follow NCR45 towards Marchamley and The Hill! The uphill run through the dappled lane to the base of The Hill is delightful — but better in reverse. A popular re-routing around The Hill towards Hodnet is approved as we now head out of Hodnet for Wollerton. Through Prees, I deviate again to miss out a section of the B road and we are soon out through Tilstock. Approaching Whitchurch, we pass a curious bike — a three-wheeled tandem with electric motor drive and two happy elderly cyclists.

The “Cafe Bon Sol” is a welcome sight as we tuck in to cakes sitting outside European-style. However, I know there is 28 miles to go as we exit Whitchurch via NCR45 to Wrenbury. I’ve given up looking at the route as the biles know their way back to Waverton via Bunbury et al. It is now 1900 and 105 miles have been ridden and the sun is still out. Mike and Trevor take the canal route back to Chester as the rest of us pack our bikes into our cars and a welcome sit down on soft seats. So 11 hours from when we started out, we have cycled for 8 hours and rested for 3 hours — no accidents or incidents, excellent countryside and company, only so sorry that Steve H couldn’t enjoy it today and thank you for the route.

See route map and/or gpx file download.

CA