Reminiscent of last week’s ride, those of us who gathered at Ness Gardens were a mix of members who had sensibly decided to only turn out for a social coffee and those who for whatever reason hoped that the ice would melt and the temperature would rise as the day progressed. I had cycled over from Wales with Alan and the conditions “under wheel” were not too treacherous - even the wooden walkway on the marches was passible with care.
Five of us were riding
today. Alan was offering a ride around
the Wirral to be accompanied by Steve T and Chris. I suggested to Ray that we might enjoy
ourselves on an amble around to Maggie’s at Holt. Ray readily agreed and bidding our fellow
riders a safe day we set off in the sunshine.
Re-crossing the marches the ice
on the boardwalk having already turned to water, a hopeful sign, we made our
way through the industrial estate musing on the future of the Toyota engine
plant and the troubles of the car industry worldwide as governments try to get
the reluctant consumer to switch to EVs.
Cycling along the river Ray noted that the “pesky wind” is always
against you whatever the weather forecast may say. Crossing the river on the footbridge we
cycled along the edge of Saltney and using the cycle path alongside the busy
Chester Road we dropped on to Bretton Lane.
A new area for Ray we made steady progress via Lesters Lane, Kinnerton
Road and Pulford Lane into Pulford itself.
The roads were largely traffic free and drying out nicely in the welcome
winter sunshine. Cutting through the
back of Lavister on Gamford Lane we picked up the B5102 into Holt. Maggie’s was a welcome sight after this long
exposed stretch of road into a freshening wind.
Ray noticed that they were
offering a winter special of soup and a panini.
This would do us nicely. As usual
the lunchtime conversation ranged far and wide including the usual quota of
“things were different in our day”. From
the mysterious threat of social media in all its forms to ice on the inside of
the windows when we were kids. It was
eventually time to embark on the return leg.
Crossing the Dee into Farndon we headed north to Churton and turned
right on to Pump Lane something of a favourite of mine despite the rough road
surface in places. Crossing the A41 we
bowled along through Tattenhall and Hargrave into Waverton. Here for the first time we started to pick up
more traffic a product of the “school run”. Another 21st century innovation as
big SUVs stacked up behind us.
Crossing the A51 courtesy of a
kindly motorist who slowed and flagged us across we picked up the Greenway. In the gathering gloom we ambled on Ray only
telling me occasionally the he was “knackered” while I attempted to convince
him to sign up for the Vets 100 next year.
My powers of persuasion were somewhat lacking so still a work in
progress.
We parted company at the Wales
end of the Greenway. We had surprisingly
clocked up just over 50 miles at a unsurprising stately pace of 9.1mph. A good days riding and a real welcome bonus
at this time of the year.
GW
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