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
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