Riding out from Chester to Hawarden, I met up with John W and we rode on the greenway to Shotton then back along the Dee way to Queensferry then along Gladstone Way to the cafe. A quick cup of tea and, and as the brisk group is just the two of us, we set off along the usual ride via the main road to Ewloe and up to Northop.
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| Poppies in wheat field - indicative of a summer's day |
Up through the green it’s the first of three climbs. Puffing and panting at the ride upwards and along the lane, the views are zero as we're in low cloud or mist. Exiting at Rhosemor, it is slightly clearer but damp. Over the Halkyns then passing through Rhes y Cae, we continue along quiet lanes. As I'd planned the route with the intention of getting the hills out before lunch, we're now heading for Babell. Dropping down the valley before the ride out at 17% is not too bad today. The last climb is from Glen Llyn then an awesome downhill into Rhuddlan.
Passing the castle, we ride through the town and join the cycleway before crossing over the River Clwyd and then joined the cycle path to Rhyl. It's now onto NCR5 along the sea wall to Mostyn stopping here briefly for a snack at a local Spa shop.
Out onto the main road at Ffynnongroyw, we've covered 50 miles from Chester and 2700 feet. Head down and we're spinning 25mph to Flint where traffic dictates a more moderate pace. We rejoin the greenway at Shotton and head for Chester rather than back to Hawarden.
The sun did emerge eventually, but an enjoyable ride none the less. John had ridden Dave M's Berwyns Audax 130 mile with 9000ft of climb on the Sunday yet he was still a force to ride with today. The out and back route at Hawarden would be about 54 miles.
A good day out and 73 miles out and back to home and, as Bryan W always remarked, 2786 ft up and 2771ft down equals a flat ride that was covered.
ID
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