Was it the imminent Easter
holidays or was it the threat of rain showers in the afternoon? For whatever
reason only five members turned up at Rose Farm. Bryan was in his car and had
dropped in for a coffee on his way to see Steve who is recovering in hospital
following his accident last week. (We’re thinking of you, Steve, and wish you a
speedy recovery). Jim was still in recovery mode and had cycled from home with
the intention cycling back after a short ride. That left just Andy B, Ray and
me intending to do a full ride. None of us had a ride in mind but I dug one out
of my Garmin which would head us back in the direction of Chester in the
afternoon as none of us had a car at Rose Farm. The chosen destination was the
Bhurtpore at Aston.
Jim joined us as we headed out
towards Tarporley, gasped up Summerhouse Bank, and then turned left at Heath
Green. After crossing the A49 we headed for 'Portal' and then down Sapling Lane
to Eaton. After Eaton we turned towards Wettenhall and Jim left us to head home
just before we reached it. The three of us continued on passing Reaseheath
College before crossing the A51 into Welshman's Lane. We emerged on the edge of
Nantwich where we turned into Welsh Row. We turned right, and headed through
the park, and right again, down a link road to Baddington Lane (A530). We were
soon making our way down Coole Lane. As we turned right to head towards
the (not so) Secret Nuclear Bunker we found ourselves for the first time out of
the cold wind that had plagued our ride so far. It was the first of several
turns which would eventually put the wind at our backs for the ride home.
We joined the main road at
Broomhall Green for a short stretch before turning into the village of Aston,
home of the Bhurtpore with its friendly welcome. The pub was quite busy but we
ordered our food quickly and because we all ordered the same it came quickly.
In no time at all we were back on our bikes for the return home.
Ray wanted to get back early and we all wanted to avoid the afternoon rain if we could so we took the direct route home. Our return journey took us via Cholmondley, Bickerton, Harthill and Tattenhall and we made good time with the wind behind us. After Tattenhall we turned right towards Hargrave where we turned right again to take us up Martins Lane. At the end of Martins Lane we would have turned right to get back to Rose Farm but since we were all heading home we turned left. We rode into Waverton then on through Christleton. Before we reached the A51 by the rugby club Andy left us to head back to Mold and shortly after Ray and I parted company. I arrived home with 43 miles on the clock, Ray did about 10 miles more and Andy considerably more. Oh, and in the end the rain didn’t arrive until teatime.
TC
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