Well given the awful forecast coupled with the time honoured tradition of “looking out of the window” weather assessment I shouldn’t have been surprised as to the plethora of messages received from sensible riders apologising for the day. Steve T and the Whisperer both sent early apologies. Alan contrived a cunning plan showing a break in the weather at 10 am so in ignorant bliss I agreed to set off.
Whilst the starting point was Walk Mill Cafe,
both of us knew if we parked up there, imbibed of their excellent coffee we
would reflect on the stupidity of riding, capitulate and drive home. So, we
parked at Waverton canal car park and set off from there into the rain.
On arriving at Walk Mill we were greeted by the smiling face of Dave M who along with Clive and Andy E bike were in civvies. In the time it took to peel off our wet outer layers, Toby and Ray S showed what stern stuff they were made from by riding in. So now we were quorate.
Neil had kindly offered to lead so his absence now forced the issue of making up a route, in Clives time honoured way I spent at least 90 seconds drafting a low-level circular route of 27 miles stopping at Milton Green Cafe.
The plan was to meet the Whisperer there, or go to his house and wet his lounge carpet and furniture. As we were about to leave Last Minute dot com arrived and now we were a five. The route was straight forward, right up to Utkinton, right at Utkinton and left at Tarporley. Apart from some good wheel washing sections on the bomb cratered roads close to Rose Farm the route was uneventful. Our route took us through Tiverton and just up to the flanks of Beeston Castle. Ray remarked he had not ridden these lanes for some time. The plunge down Birds Lane then on into Tattenhall was nice. A brief 300 m dash down the A41 signalled our lunch stop on the left.
The Milton Green Cafe / Deli is a gem of a place
and ideal for a lunchtime meal. The Whisperer had reserved tables for twelve
riders, bit of an optimist I think. However before long all 12 chairs were in
use drying out jackets, tops gloves, helmets etc. Except in Chris’s case where
the shoes were off too. A sooper
Christmas dinner Bap was one of the specialities available. Pigs in blankets ,
turkey cranberry , all for £6.00. Others chose a complete variety of fare.
Refreshed and replete we set off back into the rain, It was particularly kind of Alan to point out the dry parts of the promised land (Wales) he had previously dismissed as “wet all day”. On leaving the cafe and operating for the Olympic sprint along the A41 Ray announced he had a rear puncture. A two minute blast with a nifty electric pump had us on the way.
The route back was simple, Tattenhall , then
Long Lane straight into Waverton. At that point after stopping for the
obligatory photo Ray Chris and Toby set off for Chester whilst Alan and I
gleefully sat in warm cars.
A very modest 26 miles on what must be the wettest CER ride this year. Made slightly harder for me as I rode the last three miles with a slow puncture on my front tyre :(
Steve Hu
See route map and/or gpx file download
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