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Retired, work part-time or shifts, enjoy being out in the countryside? Then cycle the lanes and byways of Cheshire and surrounding areas with Chester Easy Riders: you won't get left behind.
Chester Easy Riders is an independent cycling club affiliated to Cycling UK. We cycle every Thursday throughout the year with moderate and brisk day rides of 40 to 80 miles.

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Thursday 8 June 2023

8th June 2023: Whixall Marina (mod)

 There was another fine day in prospect as we sat supping coffee at Alison's early doors. Nick was the only fast rider, and was going to do his own brisk spin. The moderates were Dave Matthews, Steve Tan, George, Andy Barber, Ray, Dave Pipe, Alan, Neil and myself. Ray had a piece of cake with a candle on for my upcoming birthday, which was very kind of him; I saved it for when I got home, and it was lip smackingly good! Neil had a plan, but most preferred to travel further out from Chester. So it was, that Steve Tan's pick of a route, lifted from the archives, was accepted. The intended destination was Welshampton. I thought that it went a long way west and east before turning toward Welshampton. I resisted trying to impose my “less is more” philosophy, as not everybody wants to align themselves with my lack of mileage aspiration. George, in particular, was keen to use the session as training for his upcoming Bert Bailey100.

The first test for those needing to take care of their hearts, was grinding straight up Harthill! We missed a left turn, which gave us a bit of the A534 to dispatch in order to get back on course, to the east of Bickerton Hill. From here, it was all straightforward progress to Wrenbury via Cholmondeley Castle. Steve did ask whether I wanted to change the route at this stage, but I couldn't see any any obvious short cut now, apart from one that would probably have us getting lost in Whitchurch's one-way system. We had a few hairy miles on the A525, complete with road works and a horn blaring nutter car driver, despite us being in single file. It was a relief to cut off to Ash Magna and The Raven by way of back lanes. Back in the day of widespread coach journeys and 'chara' outings, The Raven Hotel at Prees Heath was a famous watering hole, and a place to make connections for onward journeys, being at the junction of the A49 and A41. At Tilstock, as we were hot and hungry, I was delighted that Whixall Marina was being considered as an attractive destination substantially nearer than the Sun Inn. It was smashing sitting out at the marina having a chat and a laugh. The nicest waitress of the year took our photograph. It would have looked better on the blog if Ray had taken the photo and the waitress had been in the picture. 

Photo by 'waitress of the year'

I led home via a direct route including Jacoyd Park, Higher Wych, the dreaded Malpas, and Tilston. We were just in time for a nice last break for coffee at the Lost Barn, At Stretton we turned down past the Mill, before Dave Pipe led us through Neil's beloved golf course at Carden Park, which did look a picture in the beautiful weather. Our last leg back was by way of Coddington and Chowley. On reaching Tattenhall we had covered nearly forty-nine sun-drenched miles.

DH





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