12th September 2024 : Dunham Massey (Brisk)

Ivan and I drove through to Delamere in torrential rain and with an outside temperature of 8c; this dampened our enthusiasm for today's ride out to “The Vine” at Dunham Massey.

The Met office had forecast the rain to ease with only occasional showers from late morning but  we weren’t convinced  and came very close to abandoning our day out. We used a route designed by Ivan which  led us through Norley and out to Acton Bridge. It was here the sun emerged allowing us to remove our waterproofs. Continuing on, we  skirted around the eastern side of Lymm  arriving at “The Vine” just after midday.

The weather forecast was obviously correct as the sun was now shining and the roads had dried considerably throughout the morning making for an easy trouble-free ride. Our venue was not to busy so our order of food and drink was delivered promptly and we were back on the bikes in no time.

Initially heading south east, we skirted around the boundary of Dunham Park and through the village of Hale.Turning to the south west we then weaved our way past Tatton Park and through Great Budworth  stopping briefly to admire the Anderton Boat lift. After crossing over the River Weaver we navigated our way  through Northwich and Hartford to join our outbound route at Norley. Here we came across the Mod’s who were returning from their ride to Goostrey. On reaching Hatchmere  Ivan and I parted company as he decided to make the most of good weather and ride home.

I’m glad we made the effort  to ride this morning  because the change from appalling to good weather conditions did allow us to enjoy an uneventful 50 mile route.

See route map and/or gpx file download

KP

Photos KP and ID

12th September 2024: Goostrey (mod+)

One often questions the sanity of going out for a club ride in bad weather. This salient point was driven home to me as I decelerated to 50mph on the A55 due to the visibility being reduced by the torrential rain and spray. If reinforcement were needed the complete flooding of the road leading from Ashton Hayes to Hatchmere should have been another telltale!

However undaunted I rode the mile or so from the Sandstone trail car park to the Station Cafe and managed to get thoroughly soaked . Once the lenses on my specs has cleared I saw a brace of easy ridders sat in a mix of civvie clothes, or ready to ride. 

The suggestion of “go east young man” held the promise of drier weather and potentially some sun. The fast group of Ivan and Ken set off first. 

So the intrepid four set off, Steve T, Alan Mike G and myself. Steve T had proposed a route we last did on the 27th August 2020 with our sadly departed member Eric Borg (RIP). Steve led us out of Hatchmere and onto Forest Lane, a little used lane for us. At this point it was raining slightly and I noticed the air temperature was a stirring six degrees Celsius. 

Beech lane soon opened into Crowton and we started our route North as this route circumnavigates Northwich on fairly quiet roads. Cogshall lane found us whizzing through the lovely village of Comberbach before the even nicer parish of Great Budworth. 

Great Budworth has its history documented in the Doomsday book , however more recently it has featured in advertisements for Nat West Bank and also in the 2019 BBC adaption of War of the Worlds.

As we crossed the busy Chester road we descended into Goostrey. The Pastime cafe is a lovely facility favoured by locals and visitors alike. A cursory glance at the menu resulted in four identical orders of Welsh Rarebit with a poached egg on top plus what seemed like limitless tea!

Photo by AO

The food was delicious and the attentive staff were first class. Replete and ready for the seventeen mile return journey we started by getting undressed! Over lunch the sun had come out and despite a slight headwind we were now enjoying temperatures of 16/18 deg C a 12 deg C change in three hours! 

Steve T went to the front and led us along Holmes Chapel Rd a busy little section and then through the intricacies of beating the one way systems in Hartford. Before long we tackled the last hill of the day (unless your name is Mike) Maddocks Hill which allowed us to breeze through Norley and go our separate ways. Mike was off to Shotton, Steve T to Runcorn and Alan and myself to the comfort of a warm dry car. 

A lovely route, thanks to Steve T for leading, with 41 miles covered on a day when any sane cyclist should have stayed at home!

See route map and/or gpx file download

Steve Hu  

5th September 2024: Loppington (mod)

There was a strong turnout at the Castle Bistro for our last visit to Chirk for the season. We have certainly cycled some very wet and muddy lanes around here during the last year.  Nevertheless, the venue presents us with varied and attractive selection of routes, which we have particularly appreciated on fine days. Today was expected to be dry, if cloudy with a strong wind from the north. The Moderate group consisted of Mike Dodd, Andy Barber, Dave and Liz Pipe and myself. Dave Matthews had made it for coffee but would not be on the ride itself. Andy, had a new map, but refused to lend it to me; I wasn’t surprised.

We set off across the Russian roulette roundabout on the A5 and were soon relieved to be on the quiet lanes to Hindford. The tandem, understandably, had to be dismounted for the particularly narrow and grotty surfaced lanes at Gannow Hill. From Welsh Frankton we cruised down the smooth tarmac before carefully attacking the severe humpback bridge across the canal. Unusually, the wind was in our sails on this south-west route to Hordley. I discussed with Mike the fact that a number of club riders had been, or still were caravanners, and that we all enjoyed riding past green fields, but hardly any of us chose to live in the country (or “the middle of nowhere” as Moreton Ray calls it). Mike liked having facilities close to home in Chester, such as coffee bars and alehouses; particularly alehouses.  Those of us in our late seventies or early eighties generally like to be near a ready supply of Eccles cakes, the Countess of Chester or a local graveyard. We took to the lanes bordering Kenwick Park to reach Cockshutt, and entered Loppington via English Frankton and Brownheath .

As ever, lunch was delicious at the Dickin Arms, and it was great to catch up with Dave and Liz. Mike and Liz were discussing following the latest Netflix films, and education in Switzerland and Singapore. Alongside his globetrotting, including being in an internationally performing choir, I don’t know how Mike finds the time and energy for everything. I blame the dog for making me so boring in comparison. Of course, my wife would say Scousers always blame someone or something else for their deficiencies. Andy was well-informed company as usual. Liz resurrected a once regular Easy Riders’ indulgence of ordering pudding. I joined her in enjoying a melt in the mouth ginger sponge and custard.

 The way back was by the more westerly route to Colemere and was very pleasant, and mostly well-surfaced. We were soon passing my favourite spot near the side of White Mere at Spunhill. Some stiff banks followed on our route to Perthy and New Marton. Liz and Dave coped commendably, until a puncture on their tandem halted progress. The busy road section from St.Martins to the A5 has a swoop down followed by a demanding rise. My attempted run at the hill was sabotaged by my map flying off across the road. Mike and Andy generously rescued it for me, evidently only half a dozen lorries had run over it. It was a relief to join the canal towpath at Rhoswiel (a first for me) and cycle in on the peaceful towpath. With pedestrians and dogs on the spectacular viaduct it was no surprise that Dave and Liz walked it. Impressively, Dave managed to ride the tandem solo up the steep path to Castle Road.  It had been a very enjoyable day, and I really appreciated Dave and Liz making the effort. Of course, the very patient Steve Tan had been waiting sometime after our day which had included a map retrieval, a puncture, tandem walking and two sponge puddings. I must leave him with a car key, a flask of coffee, and a couple of novels to read in the Berlingo next time. About thirty-five miles covered in very agreeable company; many more for Mold Andy as usual.

DH 

5th September 2024 : Montford Bridge ( Mod+)

I arrived at the Castle Bistro around 1000 after completing my customary warm-up ride through Chirk castle grounds. A gaggle of CERers were already esconsced with coffees and tea cakes. Steve T, as the gentleman he is, had allowed my proposed ride to hold sway over the prospective brisk and mod+ riders. So I ended up with Diane, a guest rider from Frodsham Wheelers, Roy, Nick, Alan, Elwyn and Fiona, and Steve T opting for a 47 Mod+ ride to Montford Bridge.

We started off on a loop of the town to access a fast descent down the Glyn Ceiriog road before slogging up hill into Weston Rhyn. Already there were complaints about hills but not from Elwyn who powered passed me into the distance - he must surely have a hidden battery drive on that bike! Together again and with the promise on nearly no more hills to lunch, we access the tiny lanes via the ancient Iron-Age hill fort that bring us out into Oswestry.

We endure acres of modern housing exiting Oswestry on a long quiet lane out over the A5, and after Aston Square, we cross the said ancient highway again heading for Maesbury and its marsh bound for Knockin via Woolston Bank. I can’t resist the photo opportunity outside the shop, which has a very good yet small cafe. After a piloting error, we eventually take the correct road to Kinnerley.

No comment!

We now have 6 miles of small lanes running either side of the extensive army training camp at Nesscliffe before Shrawardine village turns us east then south to Montford village then east again and over that A5 once again to Montford Bridge.The bridge was Thomas Telford's first bridge design and although now reinforced, still spans the River Severn. Charles Darwin’s parents are buried in the local church.

To get to the Montford Bridge cafe, we have to ride a half mile of the busy A5 before slipping off left and round and under to the cafe. I have been to this cafe several times and notice that they have added inside seating to complement the covered outside seating. I also notice that the smoking sign which stated “Please use the ash trays when the floor is full” has disappeared. The cafe has a 4. 3 stars over 800+ reports on Tripadviser and I think all of the group were happy with their luncheon repast.

The tricky bit is now to ride back along the A5 and then cross the road back into Montford village. It’s only 21 miles back but the route is unfortunately into the strengthening wind but deep lanes and high hedges ameliorate the experience. It’s a long run up to Ruyton XI Towns were I note the pub is open for lunches again. The way out is via Grug Hill  - a long lane ever upwards but not especially steep. Alan has a gearing misfunction that needed sorting which he successfully fixes.

We kiss by Queen’s Head before the long drag up the old A5 into the wind and into Whittington. The advance party pull up half way along here to allow the rear party to catch up and zoom by - guess who was leading that 3 rider peloton. Our group eventually catches them up in Gobowen as we ascend the bank onto the last part of the route parallel to that which we took on the way out. I always favour the aqueduct option back into Chirk where we arrive at around 1500 with 47 miles ridden.

So a cool, overcast and windy day which did not deter this octet group from sampling a lot of excellent Salopian lanes and a quick lunch at a very good transport cafe. Many thanks to the long suffering group for allowing me to indulge my love of the Shropshire countryside.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Photo AO