1st May 2025: Whitchurch (mod)

There was a healthy turnout at Tattenhall on a fine, sunny day for cycling. The moderate group consisted of George, Trevor, Keith, Jim, Ray Bird, Mike Gilbert, Mike Dodd, Dave Matthews and me.  Our friends at Alison’s were flat out trying to fulfil our orders, but Dave Matthews had to cancel his food, because it hadn’t arrived before we were about to ride.

We set off for the Black Bear at Whitchurch by heading for Bolesworth Castle. At Brown Knoll we turned eastwards, rounding Bickerton Hill before thrumming down past Cholmondeley Castle and crossing the A49. From here it was straightforward to Wrenbury before turning southwest to Pinsley Green and beyond. Nice, scenic lanes that George couldn’t remember riding before. I was talking to Mike Dodd about Comber Mere and the abbey there showing on my map not far away to our left. Exploration of such sites was probably best following a recce, or solo with a friend, not when leading eight riders to lunch. I understand that it is a private estate with interesting walks and you can book rooms there. There is a monumental obelisk commemorating Lord Combermere, which you can catch a glimpse of from our route.

        

Ray was first to the bar: no surprise there. The staff were a bit thin on the ground, but thankfully the food was fine and didn’t take too long to arrive. Keith sat on his own to get a bit of peace. Ray had to pause because he was served first and would have finished well-first with his large mouth. The only problem was for Dave Matthews who picked prawns that seldom arrive in bulk and consequently were accompanied with less bread than other dishes. Having missed out on food earlier, Dave was a bit miffed and would be stopping to take in more calories at Malpas later. A pleasant lady offered to take our photo in front of St.Alkmund’s church before we started our return, so Mike Gilbert was able to be in the frame for once; was that a good idea? Judge for yourself! 

Manoeuvring through the Whitchurch one-way system to find the quiet and attractive way out on the road to Alkinton is seldom easy, but with an elite team of navigators and their Garmins in support we were soon sorted. Fenn’s Bank was reached by a green lush lane through Blackoe which crossed the Llangollen Canal. We avoided all but a few yards of the A525 near Painters Green by magic, and passed Iscoyd Park before reaching Malpas by way of the steep bank at Higher Wych. I had brain-fade at the start of the climb and changed to a bigger chainring, necessitating returning to the bottom of the hill and starting again. It had been great to have Jim on the ride, but he was peeling off to his daughter’s at Malpas. Dave Matthews was also leaving us and would be heading home after his intended café stop. We bypassed traffic tangled Malpas central by way of my new favourite small lane diversion that surfaces opposite the high school. The rest of the route to Tattenhall was via Ebnal, Kidnal, Tilston, Carden, Clutton and Chowley. Only George, Ray and myself climbed back into our cars at Tattenhall with thirty- six lovely cycling miles under our belts in brilliant weather. All credit to the rest of the guys for cycling many more miles to home or their outlying parked vehicles.  

DH