The weather forecast of 12C with a breeze from the SW and only small chance of rain, helped ensure an excellent turnout at Rose Farm with the brisk rider numbers actually equaling those of the moderate group--unusual!!
The planned route was to The Piggery Cafe at Combermere. For company I had Clive, John’s M and W, plus Richard, Nick and Ray. Ivan, our usual leader, was absent preparing for his forthcoming holiday to Tenerife. Clive and John W were brave attending today as both were slightly battered and sore after colliding with some tarmac on a fast ride on Tuesday.
Leaving Rose Farm, our route took us through Duddon and after crossing the busy A51, we navigated our way through the villages of Hoofield, Beeston, Bunbury and Faddiley before following familiar lanes through to Norbury and Marbury and then turning eastwards towards Aston.
The roads up to this point had been mainly dry and fairly clear of debris allowing the pace to be kept fairly high but 3km’s before Aston that changed. At Pinsley Green we came upon a large portion of the road that was under water - this turned out to be very deep. Most of the group manned up and pedalled through the crank deep water, apart from Richard who dismounted, shouldered his bike, and traversed along the steep banked grass verge - getting wet feet obviously didn’t appeal.
Once we regrouped the last few miles to Combermere were quickly covered and we arrived at the Piggery Cafe just after 12 pm. This Cafe is located in converted farm buildings along with a few other businesses including a gin distillery. Despite the cafe being very busy with ladies lunching, we managed to grab two tables and, after ordering food and drink, sat back to enjoy our surroundings. The staff dealt with our orders very promptly and both food and drinks were of good quality.
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| The Piggery Cafe - it was full after we arrived. |
Back on the road, with the bulk of days mileage behind us, we still had just over 34 km to cover. Unfortunately the first 3 Km’s we had to ride on the A530 and several close passes from overtaking vehicles highlighted poor driving standards with little or no respect for vulnerable road users. Thankfully in Aston, we able to turn onto quieter roads and head off towards Nantwich.
At Ravensmoor, Nick departed for home and left the rest of us to continue through Nantwich where we had to suffer the pot hole hell road surface of Wettenhall Lane. This surely must rate as one of the worst roads in Cheshire.The last few miles through Oulton Park and Cotebrook to Rose Farm took no time at all. Clive left the group here to pick his car up and the rest of us carried on back to Chester.
Quite a spring-like feel to today with no major drama’s, apart from the nautical section near Aston. The route today was 82kms and covered at nearly 25kmh on roads we all know very well plus a new lunch venue that’s well worth revisiting.
KP
Photo ex Piggery website
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