22nd November 2018: Caerwys (mod)

This was a cold day with a frosty start and an easterly wind (‘blowing in from Siberia’ in the favourite phrase of the forecasters). Six moderates turned up at Hawarden: Dave H out only to collect Xmas lunch monies; Trevor who had ridden out to test his new rear mech and was then riding back; and the day’s riders: Bob, Andy, George and myself.  There were no brisk riders – maybe they were put off by the cold weather, but more likely they were either recovering from an epic ride earlier in the week, or had separately planned a longer even hillier route from another start point.

I’d suggested a ride out to the Piccadilly Inn at Caerwys, though someone mentioned a café in the same town so we chose to head there instead. Starting by climbing up to Buckley to warm everyone up, we then headed to Sychdyn and the steepest climb of the day to Rhosesmor. It had turned into a fine day, cold by bright with good views and some sun. The east wind was slight which would be good news for our return.  We travelled on over Halkyn Mountain and through Babell to approach Caerwys from the north. The café in on the corner of the main road as you travel south through the town, and it’s called “On the corner”!  It is a small busy place with a typical menu of good value food and large mugs of tea: two of us chose from the ‘all day breakfast’ options.

Returning we said goodbye to Bob at the café as he was heading directly home.  The rest of us made for the A55, with a small detour to avoid fresh hedge clippings.  We wheeled our bikes across the busy road and headed to Chwitffordd and then back south to Pantasaph and Windmill.  Here the weather took a change for the worse with murky cloud descending and the temperature dropping. Andy left us to head home before we dropped down towards Northop, which left George and I to make our way back to Harwarden at the height of the school traffic rush hour. It had been a good day’s ride in reasonable conditions which covered 40 miles.

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SH

15th November 2018 : Sandbach (brisk)

After an hour's riding covering 15 miles, I was ready for a decent cup of coffee and the Delamere Park cafe certainly provided that (compared to the station cafe) . We shall have to see if the coffee improves in line with the anticipated make-over. 

The weather was much better than advertised, being sunny intervals as opposed to blanket cloud. This put a spring in my pedalling feet for the 52 miler to The George at Sandbach. Our group today was a lonely three consisting of Nick, Ken and myself. John M was out but not feeling 100%, and Ivan was at home recovering from being de-biked by a passing car at 18mph in Helsby on Tuesday. He is recovering well though. The bike was unscathed!

We follow the Mods out  and branch off at Flaxmere and take Norley Lane, where the vista over the Cheshire plain is resplendent in the November sunshine. It is now a rapid succession of Croxton, Acton Bridge, Weaverham and Winnington to pass by the Anderton Boat Lift. I take the Comberbatch bypass as the locals are anti-MAMIL, and circle round to Pickmere.

Onwards, passing The Smoker pub (named after the local brook), we speed through plummy Plumley and "upper-class"  Lower Peover. The crossroads in Goostrey are blocked up, but pavements are then very useful. Up the side of the Dane Valley,  we are soon through Holmes Chapel and negotiating a housing estate to exit on a very narrow "Broad Lane" and thence on-track, via various tiny lanes, to enter Sandbach Market Place and The George.

The George is a Wetherspoon's establishment and was packed at lunchtime but we got a table; and as ever, the quality, service and price was very good. It was a listed coaching in apparently. The town was granted a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I in 1579 and Foden truck manufacturing started at the end of 19C and closed down in 2006. The Market Crosses are worthy of note as well ( see photo)

Sandbach Market Crosses

After a lunchtime diet of Brexit, we are ready for the return via Elworth and Occlestone to circle around Winsford. I favour the tiny Blakeden Lane which runs behind the County Police HQ to take a short stretch of the A54 before turning for Little Budworth.

At Cotebrook, Nick takes the short return to Delamere via the Fishpool Inn and will have completed the 52 miles circuit. Whereas Ken and I take the usual route back via Utkinton and Waverton. Ken will have more than 90 on the clock today and I had just over 80 miles. 

So thanks to Ken and Nick today for taking the wind off me at the front. Hopefully Ivan and John will be back to their usual full strength next week.

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CA

Photo by KP

15th November 2018: Marston (mod)

This was our second start from the Delamere Visitor Centre rather than the Station Café. Steve T tells us that the Station Café refurbishment will be finished this weekend, so next time we depart from Delamere we can try it out and maybe decide which of these two adjacent starts is best. Dave H was present collecting Xmas meal choices and feeling much better but not riding today.  This left half a dozen moderate riders for a route to the Salt Barge at Marston: George, Keith, Steve T, Bob, Neil and myself.

Our route out was across Acton Bridge and then heading north to cross and re-cross the A49 and pass through Higher Whitley, Antrobus and Pickmere before arriving at our destination. The Salt Barge is a favourite and we were not disappointed with a friendly welcome, decent food and drinks. While last week the mod’s lunchtime discussion had centred on engineering in the energy industry, today we brought our collective expertise to bear upon trust law and tax. If this serious trend continues what might we cover next week!

Our return took us through Ashton’s and Neuman’s Flashes, meeting a lot of vehicle traffic on these footpaths and cycle tracks. We passed Marbury Park to reach Comberbach and Little Leigh, returning through Norley to arrive back at Delamere.

An uneventful ride after last week’s punctures, but through lovely November weather: dry, often sunny, mild and with little wind.  We covered a little over 35 miles, which didn’t really justify the cakes that tempted some of us back in the café.

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SH

8th November 2018: Llanymynech (mod)

Four moderate riders assembled in the now-named ‘Castle Bistro’ in Church Street, Chirk: Keith, Trevor, Bob and myself. The morning had started poorly with rain and low cloud on the hills. However by the time we were ready to leave, the rain was ceasing, although the day would remain murky and the lanes wet and muddy.  Our destination was the Bradford Arms in Llanymynech.

We took a common route out from Chirk, crossing the A5 roundabout and making for Hindford. Before we made it to Welsh Frankton, the long dormant curse of ‘Puncture Bob’ struck, and we stopped while he fixed his rear tyre.  While this was happening we watched several tractors pulling slurry tanks that were far too wide for the lanes pass by.  Next we saw a white builder's van speed towards us and stop.  “Have you seen a silver car?” they asked. Apparently the car had clipped their wing mirror and they were trying to chase it down. We couldn’t help them, though as we resumed our ride, we met them in their search again.  I think we were all grateful not to be the subject of their ire. We continued onwards through West Felton and Maesbrook, before joining the road into Llanymynech and cautiously driving through some fresh hedge cuttings.

Llanymynech is on the England Wales border. If the old Lion Pub had still been open we could have chosen between two bars in England and one in Wales. When many Welsh counties were “dry” on Sundays, you could always get served in the “wet” English bars.  We however were after a very much open pub.  We have visited the Bradford Arms several times before and were settled comfortably besides an open fire, while we all tucked into fish and chips. For some reason the conversation focussed on the energy industry – oil, nuclear and solar.

Soon it was time to leave and we tracked back through the hedge cuttings before heading north to Maesbury and approaching Oswestry through quiet lanes from the east.  For once we were ahead of school closing times and the traffic was light.  As we passed by the old hill fort, several riders remembered the altercation with the angry old man who tried to run us off the road on this year’s long ride. No such problems today, as we make our way towards Weston Rhyn.  A few miles out from the village, the curse strikes again, this time in the front tyre. Trevor leaves us to catch his train while repairs are made.  We exit Weston Rhyn via the High Street which takes us down to the Ceriog valley and a much more pleasant return to Chirk than the main road.

We head straight to the car park, where we meet the returning brisk riders. A good ride in reasonable conditions: 20 miles before lunch and 16 after.

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SH

8th November 2018 : West Felton (brisk)

A showery damp day was  forecast by the Met Office and six riders turned up for the brisk ride, John W, John M, Ivan, Clive, Nick and myself. The ‘moderates’ planned a ride to the Bradford Arms at Llanymynech and, coincidently , the ‘brisk’ group, courtesy of Ivan, planned a ride to the Bradford Arms at Knockin, but  the day  became the day of the detours. 

The rain was falling as we left Chirk and headed up the Ceiriog valley and into Glyn Ceiriog. Turning left across the river, we climb to the high point of the day Graignant (350 metres) where we stopped to take a photo. Alas, the  autumn colours, although lovely,  just needed a little sunshine to make them spectacular. 

Yes, there is another hill over there

Onwards through Selattyn and before climbing the hill to the Old Racecourse, west of Oswestry, we came to a stop as our road was blocked due to  tree-felling operations .  We dismounted and carried the bikes past the obstruction before riding through various unpronounceable Welsh hamlets. On reaching the bridge over the canal and river about 1.5 km outside Llanymynech, we found the bridge closed for maintenance. The bridge repair operative made it very clear that no-one was going to pass. Even though, in our view, it looked as though we could dismount and walk across. A roadside discussion ensued to determine a diversion; this resulted in turning away from the bridge and heading into Four Crosses along the main road to rejoin our route in Llanymynech. This detour only added 4 km .

The road into Knockin was flat but John M was feeling a bit under the weather and struggling to keep up, so John W held back to keep him company while the rest of the group, totally unaware of John’s issue, carried on to the pub. On entering the Bradford Arms car park, it was evident that a large funeral wake was in progress and we were politely told that they could not accommodate us. After another discussion, we  decided to divert to the Queens Head at Queens Head although poor John did not relish the extra miles to the lunch stop.

Leaving Knockin we headed out through Woolston to West Felton where, at the crossroads,  the Punch Bowl inn came into view. We were relieved when the landlord confirmed that they were still serving food given it was 2pm and we had ridden 61 km. The Punch Bowl has a nice friendly atmosphere and everyone appeared to enjoy their lunch so it is venue well worth adding to the CER lunch list. 

We were back on the bikes by 3pm and heading to Rednall, here we  rejoined our original route. John M had recovered during lunch and we all cycled together for the remaining 22 km to Chirk. On arrival at Chirk, everyone went there separate ways; Clive and John M to their cars, Nick and myself opted for a coffee prior to our drive home, Ivan and John W chose to ride home rather than wait an hour for the train.

The original route is 86 km but because of all our detours we rode 84 km with 1199 meters of ascent, John and Ivan’s mileage was obviously a lot higher.

A lot happened today with plenty of disruption to our planned route.However, I subsequently took a closer look at the OS map which revealed the diversion we took at Llanymynech could have been shortened to just 400 mtrs by using a canal towpath and aqueduct to cross the River Vyrnwy!  

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KP

Photo KP

1st November 2018: Hanmer (mod)

All Saints Day began with steady rain, but by the time I’d ridden to the Ice Cream Farm, the clouds had cleared and the day promised to be dry with some sunshine and mild winds. Twelve Easy Riders turned up, the moderates comprising Jim, George, Mike G, David M, Neil (on his new bike), Steve T, Trevor and myself.  It was good to see Dave H also there, in civvies performing his club secretary duties, and also collecting choices and monies for the Christmas Lunch.  He needs to receive confirmation of attendance and at least the £5 deposit by 22^nd November.

I had pulled a previous ride to Hanmer from the archive: a figure of eight with a return through Malpas and Brown Knowl. We started through Tattenhall, Barton and Threapwood, but were making good time and I therefore decided to divert eastwards and dip down through Lower Wych to avoid arriving too early at the pub.  As we travelled along some good surfaced lanes for a change, we split into two groups.  I remained in the slower group and we were surprised to arrive at the Hanmer Arms ahead of the others.  About 5 minutes later they arrived much muddied from their excursion through the lanes to Arowry, whilst we had taken the clean main road for the final mile or so.

The pub was quite busy but we were accommodated on a couple of tables and served relatively quickly.  As usual, there was a friendly welcome with good value food and drink. There appears to be a planning application for a large holiday home development behind the pub. These and caravan parks seem to be a way to keep many country pubs open when others are forced to close.

I modified our return plans to keep the overall route under 40 miles and to avoid what would have been a hillier return. We took the fairly direct route northwards through Tallarn Green, Shocklach and Clutton. At Sarn Bridge we find a mega-sized tractor going our way, confronting an even bigger one on the bridge.  We carefully keep well away from these monsters at they manoeuvre past each other. From Sarn Bridge we gradually shed riders, as they make their own ways home.  Eventually only Steve T, George, Jim and myself end up back at the Ice Cream Farm, to reflect on what had been a good autumn ride of 38 miles.

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SH

1st November 2018 : Calverhall (brisk)

Despite the early showers, there were plenty of riders at the Ice Cream Farm but only 3 briskers. I had proposed a ride to Market Drayton but readily agreed to Clive’s amendments so as to make the Olde Jack pub in Calverhall our lunch destination. With John W making up the party, we headed off in the direction of Beeston, Bunbury and Alpraham. Clive was setting a good pace and we were soon sprinting along the short stretch of the A51 before turning off at Barbridge. Then after looping around the lanes, we cross the A51 and begin our approach to Nantwich. The route takes us through the west side of the town and through the park near the River Weaver. It was all very pleasant as we meandered along the shared pathway but suddenly Clive parted company with his bike and was flat on his back. Thankfully, he was back to his feet very quickly saying that all was well with him and his bike. We think his wheel skidded on the metal grating that runs for several metres alongside the path as it passes close to the river and under a bridge. 

Relieved that no damage had  been done, we leave Nantwich via the A530 but soon turn on to Coole Lane to coast along pretty lanes towards Audlem and without further incident to Calverhall. We enjoyed a warm welcome at the Olde Jack and were soon served our selection of baguettes and sandwiches. Conversation included the various apps available for route mapping and also Brexit. Unsurprisingly we were unable to come up with a solution to the question of the Northern Ireland backstop! 

Returning to the simpler question of getting home, we jumped on our bikes heading in a northerly direction. Keeping up a good pace we passed through Aston, Wrenbury, Cholmondeley and Bickerton. It was a bit of a grind up Harthill and we paused at the top to admire the view which on such a clear day included Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in the distance. We then raced downhill and up again before sprinting on to Tattenhall. Foregoing afternoon coffee at the Ice Cream Farm, we made our way home. A good run out in decent weather for November. Long may it last! 

The route to and from the Ice Cream Farm is about 55 miles but the three of us completed about 80 miles each (averaging 16 mph) including the return trip from home.

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JM