The news and weather forecasts had been full of warnings about Storm Babet which would bring heavy rain and high winds, so the eleven CER riders gathered at Maggies in Holt (Cleopatra’s still having not re-opened and looking not likely to do so in the foreseeable future) were all contemplating shortish rides to avoid the worst of the weather. Neil was to lead a ‘mod+’ foursome and Dave M was, as usual, going to do his own thing, so that left Dave H, George, Ever Ready Ray, Andy B, Mike G and Steve T for a ride down to The Greyhound at Street Dinas. Clive had phone Steve T earlier and had said that he might join us if his planned sailing trip was cancelled due to the forecast bad weather.
It was warm and dry as we set off west of the River Dee, heading for Bangor-on-Dee. As we got down the appropriately named Lower Lane, we found several opportunities to splash through mud and wash our bike wheels as the road was flooded in several places. However, we reached Bangor without incident and went on to Overton. From there, we headed towards St. Martins until we reached Shellbrook Hill, where we followed Pant Lane heading for Dudleston.
It turned out the Pant Lane was suitably named, as the local farmer had been cutting the hedges and Andy picked up a rear puncture, which led to a delay while the offending thorn was removed and a new inner tube mounted. Taking care to go slowly past a lone horse and rider, we missed the turn to Dudleston, but quickly found and alternative route which took us back to the B5069.
Soon after we got back on to the road to St. Martins, Clive appeared having cycled from Waverton to join us. So, seven of us arrived at The Greyhound where we were given a warm welcome and shown to the table I’d booked the day before. Drinks and food were ordered and arrived quickly. A discussion about alternative starting points to Chirk for the rides during the winter led to one or two ideas but no firm conclusion.
Soon after leaving the pub, we were hit by a heavy shower as we approached Dudleston Heath. Fortunately, it didn’t last very long and we soon dried out as we headed north eastwards towards Holly Bush. We entered Worthenbury by the back way and then passed through Shocklach, heading for Farndon and Holt. For once, the traditional sprint from Shocklach to the A534 junction didn’t materialise, but DH did put on a short 18 mph spurt as we approached the junction. Extra energy due to his full-sized scampi and chips at lunch time?
We arrived back in Holt in warm sunshine with no sign of high winds or heavy rain. It seems that Storm Babet had not yet reached the north west of England, so our fears of the morning had not been realised, apart from the brief shower mentioned earlier. An enjoyable 35 mile jaunt to one of our favoured lunch stops.
ST
See route map and/or gpx file download
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| Photo by Mike G |
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