There was an excellent turnout of CER members
today at Chirk. This venue can be a bit Marmite. Like today we can have a good
turnout , other weeks only three or four hardy riders tackle this far flung
start point.
Todays group consisted of Dave M, Dave H, Andy
B, Steve T , Steve Hu, Dave P, Alan, Matt the Trike, Clive and Neil T. Whilst we
sat at the Castle Bistro there was a decision to be made as to where to ride to
on this fine sunny day?
A consensus was reached on Steve T’s ride to
Loppington, which, coincidentally, we did one year ago this very week on a
similar hot day.
As we shared the route across various devices, Neil T arrived, doing an admirable impression of the “Incredible Melting Man”.
He had tales to tell of a tortuous 33 miles with climbs equalling the ascent of
the north face of the Eiger. LOL
Once we rounded everyone up, Dave M decided to
do his own route back and Neil drank his body weight in fresh tea. So it was,
the mighty eight set off and plunged down Castle Road.
Any speed and enthusiasm was quickly erased by
the crossing of the river at Pontfaen and the subsequent 16% climb up to Weston
Rhyn. All quickly assembled at the top we set off through the pleasant lanes
towards Maesbury. Steve T’s route was excellent and succesfully exploited the
great network of lanes we have in the Chirk area.
The lanes continued on towards Eardiston , only
stopping to comment on Steve T’s nemesis road to Shotatton.(The less said about that, the better - ST)
At Stanwardine in the Fields we had a decision
to make, as it was now 12:30; a combination of a late start and gentle bimbling
had resulted in our lunch venue still being 20 miles away and a quick phone
call advised us the kitchens would close in 90 mins. Armed with the options of
a Tour de France Peloton for 20 miles or a short cut , we opted for the short
cut.
Paper Garmin Heath came up trumps again ,
despite shouting instructions such as “next left but keep bearing right!”.
Clive, Steve H and Alan led the charge through Burlton into Loppington for
lunch.
Lunch at The Dickin Arms
Following our Al Fresco lunch we turned right in
front of Granvilles and headed towards English Frankton on Crosmere Road.
Cockshut, Lee and Tetchill came and went on a glorious roller coaster of leafy
lanes and fields spreading out on both sides of the road. The only sounds were
the occasional buzz of Police helicopters , who seem to use this area for touch
down and take off training.
Just out of Welsh Frankton Dave H had a cunning
plan to avoid the busy B road into St Martins. Steve Hu passed the baton of
leadership to Dave H and for three quarters of a mile we enjoyed his sterling
leadership, until a tree blocked our way, see photo.
No way through here!
Plan A was re-enacted and the B road whisked part of the group back to Chirk, the remainder taking a short cut.
An excellent day, thanks to Steve T for the
route, 41 miles with 2000 ft of climbing, not too shabby on a day when
temperatures were regularly hitting 28/29 Deg C. Matt T rode to the venue so
would be on for a decent 99.37 miles.
SHu
No comments:
Post a Comment