25th July 2024: Market Drayton to Wheaton Aston (mod)

 As you will have seen from Clive’s report on the brisk ride, today’s Special Ride (the third one this year!) was a re-run of  the 2019 routes from Morrison’s supermarket in Market Drayton to The Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston.

Eight riders had signed up for the mod ride – Fiona, Elwyn, Ray B, Trevor, George, Neil, Dave H and myself. But, as I made my way across to get a coffee, who should stroll across the supermarket car park, but Andy B, so a quick text to the pub was needed to place a pre-order his lunch. The plan was to leave at 10.30 prompt, but it was never going to happen. Getting CER members together is like herding cats – left your water bottle in the car, Trevor?

It was nearer 10.45 as we departed under grey clouds, although the day was very warm and humid. Making our way of town past Market Drayton golf club, we made a left at Sutton to join the A529 for a mile or so before spearing off to the left on a long, straight road. There followed a few miles of narrow, smooth and very empty roads leading down to Sambrook.

We often remark on how quiet the roads are on Shropshire. I looked up the population to find that the whole county comprises less than half a million souls. The population density, at 1.01 persons per hectare, compares to 4.34 per hectare for England as a whole. That’s why it’s quiet – nobody lives here!

We then picked up another straight road, this time two miles long. The OS map shows it to be a legacy of the Romans who were very active around these parts. The road ran gently downhill to Sutton where we crossed the A591. Continuing south-east we passed though more villages, arriving in Wheaton Aston just before 1pm, having ridden 24 miles. The food had been pre-ordered and was served reasonably quickly and was commented on favourably by many folk, although the cutlery was a bit late coming.

The dirty dozen

After the traditional group photo had been taken, it was time to set off again. Crossing the canal next to the pub, we headed north out of Wheaton Aston, we now had the wind behind us. As we reached Church Aston, Neil decided to press on and left us to get home early. We carried on along quiet, narrow lanes to Gnosall Heath, where we crossed the A518.

Going along an even smaller lane, the road went sharp left into a very dark tunnel – under an aqueduct carrying the Shropshire Union Canal. As I went through a car horn sounded and I yelled out a warning. Fortunately, all was well and we went on about a mile to a second tunnel which went back under the canal. We crossed the canal again at Norbury Junction, this time over it using a bridge. At up-market Norbury we crossed the A519.

All day, the mod group tended to split into two, with Neil, Fiona and Elwyn and me off at the front and the others a little behind. So, at key junctions, the front group would wait to ensure we didn’t lose anyone. This should not really have been necessary as I’d circulated the gpx route file beforehand, but old habits die hard. Shortly after leaving Norbury we took a very small road leading to Shebden. I’d stopped to look behind for the others only to see them whizzing past the end of the lane. Fortunately, my loud shout alerted them to their mistake and they soon turned around. Trevor admitted he’d been chatting rather than looking at his Garmin!

Onward through Shibden, where we crossed the canal yet again (that’s five times!), we were soon through Adbaston and Chipnall.  We got back to Morrisons in Market Drayton at about 4pm, having covered 46 miles, having enjoyed warm, dry weather, some sunshine and some superb quiet lanes.

So, thanks are due to Clive for re-working the 2019 routes and to the mod group for sticking with me on what turned out to be a really ‘special’ ride.

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download

25th July 2024 : Wheaton Aston Special Ride (Brisk)

Today’s ride by the three Lone Rangers aka Nick, Steve Hu and myself, was a very fast 61 mls at 16.2 mph. Steve T had asked me to review the two specials rides I had crafted for our first group ride to the Hartley Arms in Wheaton Aston back in April 2019. There were 5 Mods and only 3 Brisk riders on that day. So I set about tweaking the routes to provide additional interest to those riders who would be riding in both the 2019 and 2024 rides. This amounted to Nick (brisk) followed by Dave H, Trevor and Andy B and myself (now on the brisk ride) on the Mod ride. The total number today was 12 riders; 3 Brisk and 9 Mods.

The brisk ride took us out via Norton in Hales then clockwise down to Wheaton Aston, whilst the Mods rode in an anti-clockwise direction. Soon after setting off, Nick needed to stop to take a call whilst Steve wanted to ride on. So I asked him to stop at the church turn in Norton. Nick and I arrive and no Steve in sight. A brief call elicits the response that as the first 7 miles were all uphill, then Steve wanted to carry on and we would eventually catch him up. Well Nick pushed hard and I managed to keep on his tail as we ascended to slide around Loggerheads with no Steve to be found. We pushed on and then at Eccleshall we finally catch up with Steve. It took us 14 miles to do so!

Together again, we head in a broadly southerly direction through village after village always into the strengthening SW wind. We arrive at the pub just a few minutes after the Mods with 31 miles ridden to their 22. The pub reacted fairly promptly to our arrival with the delivery of our pre-ordered food choices yet strangely the cutlery was delivered after everyone had their food and now had sticky fingers . 

We are soon off again down to the A5 at Ivetsy Bank for a short run westwards to slide off in a north westerly direction towards the edge of Telford. We pass by Lilleshall National Sports centre hidden behind a golf course and the old abbey and all swathed in trees. It was a lovely fast downhill run before circling MOD Donnington - a barracks and fulfilment centre. 

Finally our route is turning northwards and we get a helping hand from the south westerly wind at last. Stopping in the middle of nowhere, there are two big fields of poppies. Poppies have been grown in the UK for conversion into morphine analogues and it seems there is still a commercial interest in doing so as today. Anyway - quite a lovely sight to see.

Not often seen as a cash crop!

We get back to Morrisons after climbing the last very steep hill, which was the first downhill for the Mods, to see that the Mods had only recently arrived back themselves. So a grand day out for all, with a warm and close day with little sunshine but no rain. So many thanks to Steve T for the idea to resurrect this out-of-area ride to Wheaton Aston; and thanks also to Nick and Steve for sheltering me from the wind on our fast riding sections today - the only way I could keep up!

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Photo SHu

18th July 2024: Ellesmere (mod)

 The car park at Chirk was exceptionally full, but it was good to welcome Kevin as a potential new member, who made it on time despite having to ferret around adjacent roads to find a parking space. Rather more difficult was the journey for Trevor and Dave Matthews who had to take a bus at one stage, because their train from Chester was stopped because of an incident on the line. I checked today, and sadly someone had lost their life on the railway near Weston Rhyn. The moderate group consisted of Dave Pipe, Andy Barber, Trevor and myself. We departed late from Castle Bistro in order for Trevor and Dave Matthews to catch a coffee. We left Dave M to his toast, as he was riding home.

We managed the scary A5 roundabout and were soon on the quiet lanes passing both Henile and Ebnal halls on our route to Welsh Frankton and Lower Hordley. Dave Pipe adjudged that some of the lanes approaching Welsh Frankton would be too rough to be considered safe for his tandem. Fortunately, the fine weather meant we encountered little flooding, and we had plenty of smooth tarmac before lunch. We headed east for Cockshutt and English Frankton before turning north-west on the undulating lane to Spunhill via Colemere. The weather was ideal for cycling, and it was a pleasure to be out on these lush little lanes. We had an unavoidable five minutes on the main road before heading down the path to The Boat House at Ellesmere. The restaurant was busy, but as the service is usually efficient, we decided to take lunch here as planned, and managed to find a table on the shaded veranda facing the lake. Trevor had enjoyed his Nordic cruise and despite Ray’s prediction had not returned as The Micheline Man, having only put on 3lbs. Dave Pipe decide that he would give expensive beers a miss (again!), as we all enjoyed our food which was delivered in good time.

Andy had some duties to fulfil around a family event, so needed to ride all the way back to Mold without further delay using main roads as required. It was a soporific setting in the warmth on the side of The Mere, and it would have been nice to have warm sponge and custard and an afternoon nap. The route back was short but included plenty of steep banks on narrow lanes. We climbed through Ellesmere passing Beech House where the great engineer Thomas Telford had been based. At Tetchill we rode down to Onston on the Llangollen Canal, navigating our way up and across the A495 and around the Hardwick estate, over the old railway route and up to New Crickett. We checked and re-checked here before making the correct decision to turn left for Duddleston Hall, Upper Wigginton and St. Martins. We still had the A5 killer roundabout to negotiate, but then ensured a nice ending by taking to the canal towpath and crossing the beautiful River Ceirog on the aqueduct designed by William Jessop and the aforementioned Thomas Telford. There is one of those 100% efforts required to exit the towpath and reach the road. Steve Tan hadn’t been waiting too long. I think Trevor and Dave stayed for a coffee, before Dave gave Trevor a lift to Chester because of the uncertainty over the train service. I managed to get back in time to collect my son’s car from a garage in Widnes with an MOT pass and no advisories. I expect that the modest destination and timing also worked for Andy. Another typical Easy Riders day out in an attractive environment and relaxing company.

DH

18th July 2024: Melverley (mod+)

I had planned to follow a route last done in February 2020, when Steve Haywood took us down to The Royal Inn on the banks of the River Severn between Pentre and Melverly. The mod+ group would comprise of Clive, Steve Hu, Alan, Nick, Steve T and new member Kevin. (Welcome Kevin, it’s good to have you with us).

We set off down the hill from Chirk and, having negotiated the busy A5 roundabout, we soon got onto quieter lanes heading towards HIndford. Between there and Welsh Frankton, these can be very muddy when it’s wet, but they were not too bad today even after all the rain we had last week and over the weekend.

As we approached Lower Frankton, a Land Rover came along the narrow lane and passed me just as I got to a large pothole which I couldn’t avoid. So I came off into the grass banking at the side of me, fortunately without any injury, but losing the mirror from the left side of my handlebars.

The ride continued without incident until just after we’d left West Felton when I sensed a lack of air in my rear tyre. We stopped and pumped it up, but had to stop again shortly afterwards to put more air in. The plan was to sort it out properly at the lunch stop, which we reached having passed the radio telescope at Knockin.

We ordered our food and then basked in the sunshine at a table outside. Setting about fixing the ‘puncture’ turned out to be difficult as no thorn, nail, tack or other penetrating object could  be found and the inner tube showed not obvious sign of leakage. A new inner was to be the solution, but I had to scrounge one from Alan as the one from my saddlebag refused to let any air in!

Lunch soon came with the ham egg and chips proving the most popular choice, and the Three Tuns beer also popular. Before leaving we persuaded a pub customer to take the group photo.

We headed west for a couple of miles to the village of Melverley and stopped to look at St Peter’s Church, built using a timber frame, wattle and daub and held together by pegs rather than nails.

Photo by SHu

There has been a place of Christian worship in Melverley for about 1000 years. In 1141 Ordericus Vitalis mentions a ‘wooden chapel on the banks of the river above Shrewsbury’. In 1401 this church was burnt by the Welsh chieftain Owain Glyndwr. It was rebuilt in 1406 from local oak.  In the early 1990’s a major effort succeeded in protecting it from falling into the River Vyrnwy.  As a result, Melverley was given a “most motivated village” award. A plaque recording this is at the gate to the church. If you look at the CER blog for February 6^th 2020, you can find more photos of the church.

Our route back took us through Maesbrook,  Maesbury Marsh and Whittington, past the Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen.  We then climbed up to Weston Rhyn before plunging down into the Ceiriog valley followed by the climb up into Chirk.

42 miles covered at a respectable 14.3 mph on a fine, dry and very warm (24°C) day. I apologise if much of this report has been about me, but most of the issues seemed revolve around me today. I’m hoping for a quieter week next week!

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download

11th July 2024: Aston (mod)

 Despite the distracting sunny countenance of Carol Kirkwood, nobody in our club was likely to miss the forecast of rain for Tattenhall. Some riders were away, others, like Kevin, a possible recruit, had concluded that cycling in the rain wasn’t much fun. There were just three of us at Alison’s willing to give it a go: Alan, Steve and myself.

Whitchurch was the agreed destination, and we set off climbing to Brown Knoll. I wanted a change from the Broxton Old Hall route, so after a bit of muddle not helped by a wilting wet map and wet specs, we slid down past Mad Allen’s Hole (really!) then headed for Cholmondeley.  At the Cholmondeley Arms we felt that a slightly reduced route to the Bhurtpore at Aston would be preferable, as we were already becoming quite wet. Actually, Steve told us later that his bargain new waterproof had at least kept his torso bone dry. At Wrenbury we diverted toward Pinsley Green, and then turned left for Aston in order to avoid extensive roadworks on the normal route to Aston. We received a warm welcome at “The Bhurty” and we enjoyed the ambience of the cosy wigwam. Evidently, the big tent is rented only until the pub’s refurbishment is completed. Our food was well up to scratch. I can’t remember if the rain ever went off, but it was not  torrential or properly cold, and we set off on an attractive back lane to Marbury before turning north west to Buckley and on to No Man’s Heath. Before Malpas we headed up to Ebnal, Kidnal and Tilston. At Tilston our route was pretty direct through Carden, Clutton and Chowley. Alan managed to capture some of the heavy flooding we encountered on camera, and we agreed it was as wet as some of our very wet winter runs. 

Were we glad to get back to the warmth and dry of our cars? Yes! Were we glad that we had made the effort to ride? A unanimous “Yes!” Having been away and not cycled for three weeks, I was particularly in need of a ride, and grateful for the company and patience of Alan and Steve. A reasonable thirty-four miles covered given the conditions.

DH

See route map and/or gpx file download

4th July 2024: Cholmondeley (mod)

I think it is Plato who is quoted as saying that the first requirement of any leader is that they have no desire to lead.  This was certainly true, in my case, as I found myself leading six Easy Riders out of Meadow Lea.  We were bound for the café and farm shop outside the gates of Cholmondeley Castle.  Why? I hear you ask.  Good question.  It was, as with many things in life, as a result of a chance remark.  In this instance by Dave M while we were sitting outside Maggie’s last week.  He had remarked that he had heard good reports of this café and so I thought, why not.

My band of brothers consisted of Andy B; electric Ray; Dave M; Andy W; Neil and Steve Haywood.  It was good to see both Andy W and Steve neither of whom I have seen for some time.

We cycled through Waverton and alongside the Shropshire Union canal.  Turning through Huxley and Brassy Green.  Steve left us at Huxley so not as to aggravate a tweaked Achilles.  Down to six riders we cycled around Beeston Castle and on to Bunbury where Andy W couldn’t resist the call of Tilley’s.  Thank goodness I didn’t lose any more of my “chosen men” as the five of us headed south to cross the A534 at Brindley.  Here we turned south west through Larden Green and crossing the A49 we arrived at the café.

There were tables outside and we decided that would do nicely as the weather was dry.  However, while ordering our food we espied a trestle table with comfortable seating in a cosy alcove indoors and immediately sat ourselves down.  The staff were welcoming and friendly and the quality of the food was very good.  The crockery from a bygone age. However, a couple of caveats.  The menu was limited to sandwiches and cakes so no full meals.  Also, Neil and Andy W had mentioned that their opening times can be variable.  So best to check by ringing as their website is not always accurate.  That said for us overall we were well satisfied.  The only negative comment from Andy B who considered his sandwich on the small side countered by Dave M who informed the staff his sandwich was the best he had eaten in a long time.

Photos by Neil T

Suitably replenished we said farewell to Dave M who was taking a more direct route home as he had hoovering and dusting to do before his good lady arrived back, from a holiday in Devon, later that day.  Now down to four we continued our tour of rural Cheshire.  Climbing up past Egerton Hall we turned right at Hampton Post.  I had intended cycling through Bickerton and Harthill.  Although I was acutely aware that Andy B and Ray had been over this ground with me on last week’s ride.  Thankfully Neil came to my rescue by offering an alternative route through Brown Knowl and circling around behind Bolesworth Castle.  He then continued to lead us along a honeycomb of narrow lanes before arriving, as if by magic at the Ice Cream farm.  Once a favourite of the club but now, for various reasons, consigned to history.  I had intended re-crossing the canal and going back to Waverton through Hargrave which, would again have meant covering some ground we had traversed on the outward leg.  Again, Neil offered us a better alternative.  We cycled through Gatesheath and crossing the A41 arrived at Bruera before turning north.  Neil, his sheepdog work over for the day, had left us at the A41 to head for home.  And thus it was the last three men standing who trundled into Waverton.  Here Andy said adios leaving Ray and myself to cycle the last mile or so into Guilden Sutton.

45 miles covered at an average speed of 11.6 mph.  The same average speed as last week.  I have no idea how that happened.  My thanks to my fellow riders for their good company throughout and particularly to Neil for his route guidance, his spells of leading and the photographs.          

See route map and/or gpx file download  

GW          

4th July 2024 : Church Minshull (Mod+)

What a good turnout at Meadow Lea today. A great mix of riders and members. It was good to see Steve Ha following his self-inflicted confinement in the beer tent at Kelsall Show. It was great to see he had escaped such thirsty period relatively unharmed. 

The mod+ group had three rides: Steve T proposed Church Minshull,  Neil T had a subterranean ride to the Elephant at Parkgate and last, Clive had a circular route to Honey’s in Caergwrle. On realising the Church Minshull ride would entail riding into a headwind for close to twenty miles, Neil T dropped his spinnaker and defected to the mods to embrace George’s route. 

So the merry quartet of Clive, Alan, Steve T & H set off from Meadow Lea. Leaving the estate roads of Mickle Trafford, we headed on the busy Warrington Road through Bridge Trafford before turning right onto quiet lanes to Manley. Here we joined Ashton road a popular parking area for CER’s Delamere starts. Soon Hatchmere and Norley were quickly despatched as the full effect of the tailwind could be felt. 

The small lanes through Cuddington and Sandiway gave way to the slightly more built environs of Winsford. Steve route took us right through the centre which today was remarkably traffic free. The fast - flowing Swallow Lane soon welcomed us into the village of Church Minshull and the lunch stop of The Badger pub.

Sitting outside in one of the Alpine Huts, we quickly digested our wraps and varied poached egg meals. Within metres of restarting, we felt the brunt of the headwind. However due to the route Steve had chosen which passed through Cholmondeston and Wettenhall, we seemed to be shielded by the high hedges. 

Courtesy of AO International Photos Inc

The drag through and up out of Eaton was just that, a combination of headwind and uphill that challenged even the mighty Clive. Now as we crossed Tarporley Road, we were on Neil T’s “flat ride” from last week. The plunge down to Utkinton road and the short lanes brought us to the welcome sight of Walk mill, where it was unanimously agreed we needed a coffee stop. 

Alan O kindly provided coffees for everyone; thank you for your generosity Al. Now with only five miles to go, we set off for Meadow Lea farm. Pausing only to bid farewell to Clive in Christleton who was returning to Chester. Steve T had a wind-assisted leg to Runcorn, and Steve H and Alan plodded home on the greenway dodging the wind. 

A very pleasant 42 mile route in excellent company and pleasant albeit windy conditions.

See route map and/or gpx file download

Steve Hu