5th October 2023: Caerwys (mod)

A rainy morning in Hawarden resulted in eight hardy CER rider ready to tackle the Welsh Hills. Matt, Dave H, Steve T, Dave M, Alan , Electric Ray Andy B and Steve Hu all met in the bustling Pursuit cafe. If you have visited please do so the staff are really friendly and clearly want the new venture to be a success. Alan had a number of options, the consensus was Caerwys. The weather gods initially smiled on us as we plunged down Gladstone Hill towards Queensferry. At the blue bridge Dave M bade us farewell as he returned home via Saltney. 

Alan used his local skills to navigate use around Flint and Bagillt. Popping in a new section of cycleway he took us to the start of the climb up to Holywell past the aptly named Holy Well. However this time instead of tackling the busy road climb of Greenfield Rd, Alan took us up a cycleway to the left of the river. This is a super route and pops you out by Tesco in Holywell. 

By now it was raining with a passion and the long road slog to Whitford Road seemed longer than usual. In Whitford Al decided against a muddy (Clive preferred) lane and stayed on Whitford road. Soon we were passing over the A55 and rolling into Caerwys with 26 miles under our belts. 

The Corner Cafe excelled in providing excellent fare at keen prices. Andy B remarked he could safely scald his mouth on any item from his “Jumbo” breakfast, such was the freshness of the food. 

Armed with full stomachs and only slightly distracted by Steve Hu losing his flow yellow glow in the dark lock bag, which had made a bid for freedom. The rain continued to pound us as we rode through Babell and then rose up on Halkyn mountain. A brief shelter in a bus stop did nothing to abate the cold wind on the tops, however the solution was soon forthcoming as we swooped ever downward to Northop. 

From Northop it is only a short jaunt to Tinkersdale Car Park, however our intrepid band of five were thwarted by a road closure and two fire engines attending an incident. This led to another four “extra” miles being accumulated by Steve T & Dave H as they wove a weary way around Hawarden and back to their car. Our reporter on the ground Steve T advised it was a fire at the local pub, information the Daily Post did not have on their website some 60 mins later.

Photo by Alan O

A tough ride for this time of year with nearly 3000 ft of climbing and just over 40 miles. Thanks to Alan for planning the ride and most importantly the members who turned up on such a wet day

See route map and/or gpx file download

Steve Hu