20th November 2025 : Llay (Mod+)

What a beautiful day Thursday turned out to be – wall-to-wall sunshine and blue sky – the temperature was 3C with a keen northernly wind taking it down to 1C (according to the Met Office). You could still feel a little warmth in the winter sun especially on the black bib-tights.

There were a fair few of us at Meadow Lea cafe with the big surprise of Dave H walking in unaided having been chauffeured there by Steve T. Great to see Dave recovering well. 

I’d advertised a 48 mile circular ride going to Rackery Farm cafe in Llay via all points to Wrexham and Holt. The peloton consisted of Steve Hu, Alan, Chris, Shane, Ray S and myself. Ivan and Nick were about but they must of ridden somewhere else today. 

We set off via Christleton to Waverton thence to Huxley and Beeston Castle. Steve had reminded me at the start about the potential threat of icy lanes today yet there was only a couple of times we had to be careful though. As the sun was shining very low in the sky, it was often difficult to see the lane surface due to the dark shadows and the sun in your eyes. However there were no mishaps as we ride around Bickerton’s Larkton Hill along Goldford Lane. Chris hadn’t ridden this delightful lane before and very much enjoyed it apparently.

Outside Peckforton Castle entrance

We push on through Duckington to Tilston and thence to the edge of Holt. Taking the bypass, we end up on the eponymously named Borras Lane to Borras. Gresford came and went as we sped past one of the “ Seven Wonders of Wales” aka Gresford Church with its bells, swooping down into the Alyn valley. Mindful that this was where Ivan came off and needed hospitalisation a few years ago, I took the steep hill descent with well controlled braking. 

It was now not far to Rackery Farm cafe with just a reciprocal hill to climb out of the Alyn valley and a new housing estate to thread through. The cafe was new to most of us although Chris and I had been before. We were assured on a phone call to them earlier that, although they don’t take bookings, there would be space for us six. Unfortunately the message hadn’t got through to the cafe! However within a few minutes, a corner table for six was magicked up and we set about ordering the fare. The food was very good indeed and reasonably priced and, after 31 very cold miles, very much needed.

Time to go as the sun is dropping down and the temperature is also dropping as we head for Kinnerton the eponymously named Dark Lane. Here Alan and Steve split for home as we four speed down Sandy Lane towards Bretton. We cross the river at Higher Ferry and head via Blacon to the Greenway access where Ray and Shane head back towrds Mickle Trafford, and Chris and I head for home as well in the opposite direction.

It was 48 miles around for Shane as he went to collect his car from Meadow Lea with around 50+ for the rest of us. A great day’s cycling in brilliant weather conditions for the time of year and great company as well.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA