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Retired, work part-time or shifts, enjoy being out in the countryside? Then cycle the lanes and byways of Cheshire and surrounding areas with Chester Easy Riders: you won't get left behind.
Chester Easy Riders is an independent cycling club affiliated to Cycling UK. We cycle every Thursday throughout the year with moderate and brisk day rides of 40 to 80 miles.

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Thursday 26 April 2018

26th April 2018: 10th Anniversary Special Ride - Chester and the Wirral (UPDATED)

Ten years of Easy Riding! What a surprise when Clive enlightened us some time ago, but here we were at the newly opened Roodee café to repeat the inaugural ride to the Wirral.

A good sized group consisting of Bryan, Ivan, John M, Trevor, Nick, John B Graham and Vicky on the tandem, Andy W, Clive, Dave H, Keith, Dave P and Liz (in the car), Steve H and myself set off round the racecourse heading for Blacon. Soon we left the outskirts of Chester and after a brief burst along the A540 turned onto quieter lanes at Puddington, arriving at our coffee stop at Ness Gardens pretty well on time. Brian Mac, unable to ride after a knee operation, had arranged with the management for some reserved tables and a separate refreshment counter, which enabled us to get organised fairly quickly. We were also joined by Glenys and David M for elevenses.

I took the opportunity to formally thank Bryan for all the work he has put into getting the club off the ground and ensuring its smooth running. It is significant that we now have 5 volunteers taking on the various tasks that Bryan did on his own. Brian Mac then presented Bryan with a bicycle themed gift, organised courtesy of Ivan, and engraved with a short inscription.


Bryan informed us that he was not leaving the universe - just going to be commuting between properties. We were pleased to be updated on the progress of Steve Tan and we send him all our best wishes for a continual recovery.
Photos by Macca

Then it was time to hit the saddles again, into Neston and onto the Wirral Way. We were making good progress until we approached Caldy, when John B picked up a puncture. As we were near to our lunch stop, Clive, Dave H and Dave P stayed behind to assist while the rest carried on to The Old Rathbone at Frankby. We were joined by Brian Mac and Glenys for lunch but had nearly finished our meal when the puncturees arrived. Despite the considerable skill of all 4 members John’s wheel could not be fixed and he had to phone for transport home. Dave H, wearing his team manager’s hat, gave us all an individual aspirin sample to put in our wallets in case of any future medical emergency of the sort that a group of elderly cyclists might encounter!  Bryan then informed us that his remaining role, of club secretary, was being taken over by Dave H, who then made a short speech confirming his commitment to the ethos of the Easy Riders.  Admin sorted, we set off towards Irby and then Landican where Bryan decided to follow the scenic and at times very muddy Landican Lane as per the original ride. Fortunately we only encountered a couple of muddy sections and soon emerged on the lane at Storeton. From there it was south through Brimstage, Thornton Hough, Raby and back to Ness Gardens for afternoon tea. Here Graham and Vicky left us to return by car while we took the boardwalk and Greenway back to Chester. The group separated again outside the college with the residue continuing to the end of the Greenway.



Approx 52 miles of pleasant, steady, typically Easy Riders riding.

Here’s to the next ten years, and thanks again Bryan.

See John M's video 

See route map and/or gpx file download

JD

2 comments:

  1. Oh dear, woe is me!! There was I, enjoying a fabulous ride, in excellent company, on a lovely sunny (if rather crisp!) day, bowling along and then ... disaster! In the 3.5 years since moving to Chester, I have never punctured once, but this time I punctured and wasted 2 further tubes trying manically to fix it. Zrfh!!

    The "support crew" were marvellous - Dave H, Dave Pipe and Clive ... doggedly persistent and very patient. I was just so upset that I had made them very late for lunch and made them miss out on all of the other festivities and frivolities that this very special ride presented.

    In the end, I had to call for my wife's broom wagon to come out and collect me. But I was reminded of the CER Club's excellent ethic by Dave Pipe, who said: "You don't come out on many Club runs, do you? (Sadly, I don't.) In this Club, no one ever gets left behind." What a lovely ethic that is and a true embodiment of what CER is all about.

    I was so disappointed not to have completed the day's miles and enjoy the camaraderie, the company and the conversation.

    But hopefully there will be many more rides to come as CER moves into its second decade with lots more stories to air and loads more laughter to share.

    Bryan, you a true gent, a one-off and I think everyone agrees that CER is everything you hoped and wanted it to be - a great Club, with great people, who simply look out for each other ... as Steve Tan will testify.

    Long may the Club continue and shine ever brightly as we all look forward to and share in the future.

    'Cos in this Club, no one ever gets left behind...

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  2. Well said John B

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