3rd July 2025: TBC

 

Awaiting ride report

3rd July 2025: Tatton Park

 Despite good weather there was only a small turnout at Delamere Station and only three members for the moderate ride. I knew that Dave H was on holiday and that therefore I would be asked if I had a ride, so I had come armed with two. So, when the question was asked I opted for what would be a 50-mile round trip stopping at the Bear's Paw in High Leigh for lunch.

 The three of us (Andy B, Keith and I) set off following familiar roads to Hatchmere, Norley and Acton Bridge. At this point Keith queried where we were going. He had been sitting at the next table and had misheard 'Bears Paw' as 'Bhurtpore'. The latter is a popular destination for us but we were heading in completely the wrong direction to get there. I put him right and we continued to Little Leigh, Comberbach and Great Budworth. There followed a long cycle up Budworth Road and Old Hall Lane to cross the M6 and then a right to take the new underpass under the recently built dual carriageway. After a short run up the old road we turned right and headed towards Knutsford.

 By-passing the centre we found our way to the entrance to Tatton Park, intending to cycle straight through and out the other side. However, Andy had mentioned that he preferred cafes to pubs for lunch so I suggested the National Trust cafe in the park and Keith agreed. So, we headed there but didn't get very far. We are used to getting held up by cows and sheep in the road but this time it was deer crossing our path. They were completely oblivious to our presence and didn't seem to care that they were keeping us from our lunch. 'Revenge is sweet' as the saying goes and, in this case, very tasty as Keith and I both ordered double venison burgers. Yummy!

After lunch we continued our journey through the park and headed for the village of Rostherne and turned towards High Leigh. After passing the Bears Paw, our original intended lunch stop, we turned into Swineyard Lane and then through Appleton Thorn and Stretton, passing over the M56 and then back in the process. I was heading for Aston and Keith led us briefly on a slightly different route before leaving us for home. Andy and I carried on through Aston then dropped down the main road towards Frodsham. As we neared the bridge over the River Weaver it was clear that there was some hold up as could see traffic queueing up the hill ahead. To avoid it we followed NCR 5 round the back roads before emerging in the centre of Frodsham and beyond the blockage. We couldn't avoid the main road to get out of the village but once we were clear we turned left onto the quieter Tarvin Road. However, we then faced a stiff climb to get us up onto the Manley Road.

Neither of us wanted to go back to Delamere Station so we turned towards Chester. As soon as I got to a point that Andy recognised he left me to head home. He is a faster rider than me and had much further to go. If you are going to follow this route the gpx file will show the full 50 miles. I clocked up 62 by the time I got home and Andy would have done considerably more.

 TC

See route map and/or gpx file