As others have reported, quite few riders gathered at the Pursuit Cafe in Hawarden and, after a convivial discussion, rides were chosen from the various offerings.
Richard and I had elected to ride to Hawarden to test our legs and conditions. I had a niggling calf strain and Richard hadn’t been on his bike for weeks. The ride out to Hawarden against the strong westerly wind convinced us that maybe a day in the Welsh hills was not for us. So thinking the mod+ ride to Caerwys was a bit brave in the windy conditions, we settled on a loop that would bring us back to Chester along some pretty but low level lanes, as far as possible, avoiding a headwind.
After waving to Dave M who had just arrived, we headed south and uphill to Bilberry woods then we crossed the bridge over the North Wales Expressway. From here we had a mainly downhill ride along lower mountain road in the direction of Llay. We avoided the steep climb to Gresford by sneaking off road along Springfield Lane, parallel to the A483. Emerging near the start of Marford Hill we were soon turning down Hoselely Lane and then being turbo assisted by the wind along Borras to what was, until recently, “Cleopatras”. We arrived to find a new establishment has emerged from the ashes in the form of ”Satriale’s” which we were told had opened for business a couple of days earlier.
Re-born Cleopatra's
Our plan had been to stop for refreshments at “Alisons” in Tattenhall but instead took the opportunity to give the new place a whirl. It's had a complete refresh decoratively and the staff tried very hard to make us welcome. As we were leaving we met Dave M (photo) who it turned out had earlier parked his car at Holt and ridden a circular route in the opposite direction to ours!
Richard and I rode a further 20 miles back to Chester or so on along familiar lanes taking in the likes of Tattenhall, Weitreins Lane, Cardon and Waverton experiencing a strengthening head wind and cloudier skies. Our total mileage out and back from Chester was 47 miles. We succeeded in our objective to avoid the worst of the wind although felt a bit guilty that didn’t join our braver comrades for their hilly Welsh sortie. However having now read the report of that ride I think we may have made the right decision!
JM
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