We’ve been waiting since the start of the year for our first club ride - a long 13 week’s worth of solo or two-handed rides now behind us, and an opportunity now of meeting up with faces old and new on April Fool’s Day. So it was that we met at Alison’s in Tattenhall as we still aren’t allowed into Wales to meet a the planned venue of Cleopatra’s. My granddaughter, who occasionally works at Cleopatra’s, tells me that they have however been very busy with lots of cyclists stopping for coffee and cake!
Ivan had put together today's brisk ride and kindly informed me that I was to write up the blog. I had asked if we could go to Audlem to re-sample the fare from the Village Chippy - so I suppose his request was only fair. The weather was cloudy, fairly windy and distinctly chilly.
We had a five rider peloton comprising of Ray, John W, Ivan and myself with a potential new rider, Matt. Off and out to Barton, it is was pleasing to be able to chat away to friends old and new. We pass Nick’s door in Tilston and motor on to Oldcastle Heath bound for the border gulch of Lower Wych with its steep descent then ascent towards Higher Wych; then down and up a similar valley towards Whitwell. The long run to Fenn’s Bank takes us eventually to the A41/49 roundabout at the Raven Pub and the hazardous dual carriageway crossing that takes us onwards to Ash Magna and Ightfield.
Audlem comes up at 35 miles with the welcome site of the busy "Village Chippy". Ivan has chosen well here as the food is good and there are public loos on hand along wth a convenient bike park and seating area - a patch of grass and a low wall. As the sun has hardly shown itself today and its a little windy, we cool down quickly despite the hot food.
The next section takes us north east to Wynbunbury followed by a north westerly track straight through Nantwich. It is now a “straight” track to Bunbury along disintegrating road surfaces. In and around to Beeston Crag, the bikes know their own way back now. Matt peels off for Kelsall and has apparently has enjoyed the route and banter.
We four split for Chester on the outskirts of Tattenhall. It would be 58 miles round back to Alison’s but about 80 miles all told for us Chester bound. A quiet ride with no incidents except fo two drivers who obviously haven’t read the Highway Code recently - especially the Harris Pie delivery van which we catch up with and pass by at the village shop in Tilston.
A memorable ride today, expertly crafted by Ivan with a classic 60% of miles and hills before lunch, and a relatively flat return.
Plotatoute metrics are 58 miles with 2350 ft of climbs and 3223 kcal i.e. we needed the fish and chips!
See route map and/or gpx file download
CA
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