Today's weather forecast was warm but there could be heavy showers, so setting of from home along the greenway I was happy with my choice of riding gear for the day. I was not happy with my bike as the rear brake rotor was rubbing on the pads making an irritating noise that would not allow a mindset of a happy ride. I met up with John along the route and after trying to resolve I decided to head to the Chester Cycle Hub cycle shop on Minerva Avenue, Sealand Road to fix. It was very quickly fixed, and John and I still made time to enjoy a cappuccino at the Gallery tea shop.
Although no customers in the cafe, there were a few CER riders out for some Welsh hills. Brisk riders today were John W, Ray, and me. A route proposed by John and produced as a gpx file by me, was the plan for today. Unfortunately, it was 3000 feet in the first 20 miles culminating with the up and over of the Horseshoe Pass.
We set of through Hawarden to Wood Lane and to Buckley. I prefer this route to heading out towards Northop although North Wales rides have a lot to offer. Through Buckley and on to Llong, we the uphill grind to Eryrys!! Racing down to Llanarmon yn Lal, its undulating up the ascent of the Pass to the Ponderosa summit.
The pace has been good as the wind has been favourable to us but, after summiting the pass and hurtling down towards Llangollen, we were caught in first instance a hailstorm then torrential rain necessitating stopping to don our wet weather jackets.
The plan A was to stop at the canal café, but we were too sodden to stop for food, so a plan B and C formulated on wheels so to speak and onwards towards the Sun Trevor Inn . We kept off the canal from the entrance to Llangollen as the path was flooded but as we approached the Sun inn the roads were DRY, so we headed onto the canal and enjoyed the ride to Pontcysyllite where we re-joined the highway and on towards Ruabon. John had googled a recommended pub here that sounded good but on passing a café “Rayos” we decided on this venue.
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| Rayos Cafe Ruabon |
The weather was clear blue sky now and we were seated outside on the patio in glorious sunshine to assist in drying us off and warm us through. A good menu was on offer and reasonably priced also. Service quick and after a hearty lunch and John and I devouring two big slices of lemon Victoria sponge we again set off towards Chester.
My route heading out towards Eyton passing the Plassey Park and on through Holt but the approach to Holt at the junction for the dead-end Francis Lane (to Wrexham) we were confronted with a road closure – re-tarmac of whole road surface and still HOT. Along Francis Lane we now head and continue along the lanes that would bring us to Marford Hill. Ken had previously advised that Marford Hill had also been resurfaced so we ended up enjoying the downhill sprint into Rossett.
We decided to ride via Eccleston and Handbridge into Chester which is where we bade John farewell and Ray and I continued to Hoole ln and home.
Although we hoped we would not have misfortune of heavy showers, we still enjoyed our ride of 70+ miles and 3500+ feet of hills at a good pace. By the time we had arrived home we were dry, so all is well for the end of the ride.
Thanks to John for the proposal, and both for good company on our ride today.
See route map and/or gpx file download
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