The day started sunny and cool, with a stiff ENE wind. A good number of Easy Riders turned up at Alison's, including Jim. It was good to see him with his new steed on its first proper ride - an electric Ribble. George was there as well wearing new kit and with crank firmly attached!. We also welcomed Steve T back from south of France and Ray, recovered from his battery-less ride last week, who had this time remembered his battery. Four riders headed off to do a 'briskly moderate' ride, which left 9 to join me; in addition to the above mentioned - Dave H, Andy B, Dave and Liz. Given the wind, I had chosen a N-S route to Welshampton and to a pub that we last visited to good reviews in 2018 - the Sun Inn.
We started climbing towards Harthill, but turned right to make for Brown Knowl. From there is was straight on to Hampton Heath, where Jim left us, still getting used to battery assistance. We continued southwards into No Man's Heath, where Dave H pleaded not to be taken into Malpas. Anticipating this, I headed back across the A41and then back again on good lanes to arrive at the other side of Malpas. We made for Higher Wych and and Iscoyd Park, where, warmed-up, dis-robing took place and pale knees were revealed. The route went past Whitewell, over the two main roads and on towards Whixall. At one stage, waiting for us to regroup, Ray and I saw a group of young cattle charging up and down a field. On the other side of the hedge were two donkeys watching on from a mound which made a good viewing platform. Somewhere around here, the background map on the satnav disappeared and we took a wrong turn. Retracing our steps we passed a bemused woman standing by her gate for the second time. At Dobson's Bridge we took the track over the vertical lift bridge, which I'm told is called a bascule bridge. It would have been a good stop for a photo, but we were running short of our due time at the pub, so pressed on to Northwood. From here a was a quick 2.5 mile dash to the pub.
The Sun is quite a large pub, though was empty when we arrive at 1pm. In the sunny and now very warm weather we chose to sit outside - probably our first al fresco meal of the year. We discussed the challenges of keeping village pubs open especially at lunch times. Steve T explained that in France some form of subsidy exists to maintain shops and cafes in rural locations - there are no shop in Welshampton.
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| Photo by Steve T |
After a satisfying meal of mostly lite bites, though Steve T enjoyed the curry, we were back on our way. Our planned return route through Penley had included a couple of steep climbs, but for the sake of our digestion I diverted onto easier ground to Breaden Heath. A little further on we were brought to a halt by a couple trying to get two young horses into a horse box, but they were spooked, maybe by our arrival. Eventually they gave up and led them into a field, and we passed by. Fortunately Penley does have a general store because Dave H, who had forgotten his water bottle, was now feeling dehydrated.
Our route northwards continued to Holly Bush, Worthenbury and Shocklach. Here Andy left us to head home to Mold, and Dave and Liz expressed a desire for coffee. That seemed a good idea and the Lost Barn was on route, though we'd be lucky to get there before closing time. We pushed on through Tilston and arrived just before 4 o'clock. Coffee and cake was ordered, though at that time only available in paper cups and plates - we just about coped, though another cyclist who arrived too late was turned away.
On we rode through Stretton. Ray and Steve T in the lead, missed the small turn to Chowley and as we crossed the A41 again we were surprised to see them heading back down the main road from Handley. Back together in Tattenhall, we had completed an excellent 50 mile route through some beautiful countryside and reacquainted ourselves with a good pub. It's worth remembering that it is only about 3 miles from Ellesmere and therefore a good alternative to that destination.
See route map and/or gpx file download
SHa
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