Starting from the station café at Delamere for today’s start, John and I join up along the greenway for the ride out and have to suffer this on the return journey also. Andy passes us as he’s sprinting along station lane on his ride from Mold. We pass Richard on the Warrington Road but failed to recognise him.
Arriving at Delamere, we meet up with Ken who was out only for the coffee along with John M and Nick both journeying out by car. Richard arrived shortly after giving the Brisk group 5 riders today. Excellent!!
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| The only pic of the day! |
As a route had been previously distributed, we were ready for the ride to Dunham Massey and our lunch stop “The Vine Inn “secretly hoping they were open as our last visit it was locked up.
Setting off at 10:30 prompt, bidding Ken farewell until Tuesday, the 5 of us head towards Hatchmere. Taking the turn onto School Lane it’s a stop! Garmins not working for Nick, John, and myself. A reboot of the route and were off via Cuddington and Sandiway. Our first road closed sign along Norley Lane but we had easy access through. The next on the second uphill hill to Sandiway we were greeted with another road closed. Fixing potholes but we were allowed through.
On arrival at Winsford my navigation went haywire. Whilst the main group followed my route I deviated and headed the wrong way. We are so geared to heading up Station Road I am heading in that direction whilst the rest head up to Wharton Rd. Catching up with them, we continue through Winsford joining London Road and leaving Winsford behind. Through Davenham, we navigate to Lostock Gralam and skirting the picturesque village of Gt. Budworth. Heading up to High Legh we arrive at Bucklow Hill greeted by another closure of a past lunch stop. The inn now boarded up. Crossing the main Chester Rd, we take a sharp left to Rostherne. At the end of the lane, we are opposite Tatton Park and the straight Ashley Road. It’s the only time today that its heads down and pedals whizzing round as we motor along the road at a good pace. We take a track called South Downs Road to cut the corner on Park Road taking us into Hale. Between Hale and Dunham is the expensive homes of Bowden but the road surface is very poor surface. The expensive cars using this road are usually Chelsea Tractors, so I don’t expect too much of an issue for them, but our poor bikes and bodies didn’t appreciate it.
Crossing the busy Dunham Rd, we’re not far from lunch. Arriving at the Vine, I am pleased to see the car park busy so looking good. It's open and we sit outside. Selection of lunch and lime and soda ordered we enjoy the warm sunshine. Due to the excellent beer, I can’t remember what the discussion over lunch was about!! Therefore, we continue our ride back towards Delamere with a mere 22 miles to ride. We’ve ridden 40 miles before lunch, and it was hoped we’d have a tail wind but no such luck. Our general direction now is back via Heatley and Lymm and Sworton Heath before changing direction and riding along the concrete surface alongside Arley airfield. Along the pleasant lanes to Antrobus we join Hall Lane and Cogshall Lane leading to Antrobus and Soot Hill which is still blocked but open for cyclists. Winnington and the climb up Burrows hill its now the usual ride to Norley and Maddocks Hill. Over the top we arrive at Hatchmere where John M and Nick leave us to return to Delamere while John W, Richard and I ride on to Chester.
A circular route of 62 miles with 2 climbs and 3000 feet of total ascent its a note that require effort!!
it’s been a good ride and the only bike incident was three chains bouncing off due to road surface.
The extended ride out and back gives a total of 91 for Richard, 89 for John and happy with 82 for me and covered at an average of plus 16mph. Well done all and a very enjoyable day in your company and to Ken for making the effort to join us for coffee. Until next week – enjoy the weekend.
See route map and/or gpx file download
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