I set out late due to someone taking my bathroom slot at home, and I was soon executing a three-point turn, as the police had closed the main road to the M56. Next up was Frodsham Market, and then three sets of roadworks between there and clearing Helsby. Just to cap this un-promising start to my journey to Chirk, I became stuck behind two humongous, yellow combined harvester type vehicles which ground slowly toward Mickle Trafford. Were any moderates likely to arrive at Chirk this week? Apologies had already been made by some, from those that were out the region, to those that thought their Malibu Factor20 wouldn't cut it for a day in the forecast intense heat. I reached the A55 at Chester, with doubts of being able to arrive at The Castle Bistro before riders, (if there were any), had left. I decide to go for it!
I walked through the door at Chirk at 10.20a.m., and was pleased to find Ivan, John, Ken and Dave Pipe sat out the back. It is very pleasing to see Ken, apparently fully recovered, now regularly out with the Fast Lads again. So, unless he had a lasso, or had a GTi pacemaker fitted, it looked like Dave would have to settle for riding with me. In true easy rider fashion, we ordered another coffee, whilst outlining an intended route. We eventually headed out over the A483 and down the little lanes, passing Ebnal Hall and reaching Hindford. I missed a turn left, so to avoid the main road, we retraced our steps. Being just two of us, we could easily agree. This assertion does not necessarily apply to long-married couples. At Welsh Frankton we passed the now familiar line of coloured mobility scooters for sale, believed to be the biggest collection outside of Llandudno. We swooped down to Lower Frankton with a pleasant breeze welcome in the increasing heat. This is the lane with the two ridiculously steep hump-backed bridges, which you have to attack in the correct gear, or else. I had intended to take a southerly loop via Rednal and Wykey, but setting off a little late, and considering the searing sun, caution won over in order to ensure reaching lunch in good time, and limiting our mileage. We turned right to Lower Hordley, and then sought out a narrow lane past Kenwick Park and then through Cockshutt, English Frankton and Brownheath. Dave had left his Garmin behind, so Yozza's input was definitely missed, as I scratched my head for the correct direction, in some of these small villages with a number of little lanes out.
The Dickin Arms was
excellent as ever: friendly, efficient service, excellent food, and really good
value. We both enjoyed our Moroccan lamb tagine with couscous. Dave exclaimed
that his was, “Tasty, tasty, very, very tasty!” Dave also enjoyed a favourite
Bishops Castle, Shropshire ale. It felt like ten years ago chatting to Dave.
Bryan and Jim would have enjoyed it. Come on Jim, try that ebike of Andy's! We
set out back past the grounds of Loppington House, which led to one of my
favourite well-surfaced, quiet lanes to Lyneal. Drifting along this lush summer
lane encapsulates the essence of easy-riding. Passing Colemere and White Mere,
it is surprising just how large and attractive these meres are, with plenty of
sailing available on both. We climbed up to Lee and carried on to Tetchill,
before heading alongside the Hardwick estate after negotiating a small section
of main road. The disused railway line was crossed at Crickett and we were soon
heading for St.Martin's and back to Chirk via the Cyclists' Suicide Roundabout.
The terrain is quite lumpy and the heat was full on. We had agreed to give the Pont-y-blew
wooded gulch a miss, but Dave suggested using the canal tow path in order to
avoid the last main road upward grind. It was nice to finish crossing the
spectacular Chirk Aqueduct 70 feet above the beautiful Ceiriog River. The path
up to the road required maximum effort in order to stay on, particularly in the
face of two young mountain bikers heading down. Dave fancied an iced coffee,
but I needed to beat the traffic to Runcorn, and take the dog out in the local
woods. I went in the supermarket for bottled water, but the shelves were bare,
so bought a large bottle of cool pop, and slaked my thirst in the car park. Not
quite forty miles covered at a guess, but in trusted and relaxed company, and
the heat had no ill-effects. Just another beautiful Chester Easy Riders day on
the bike. No pictures, because we didn't think people would be gagging to see a
picture of one ancient gent, taken by another.
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