Bit of a chilly start for TT1 (The Thief) and I , as
we rode up to Meadow Lea, ahead of what was promising to be a very nice day indeed.
There was a split amongst those gathered, due to the
table arrangements, which meant I forgot to get a headcount, as we were on
opposite sides of the room. So, I am trying to picture the scene as I type. I
figure there might have been 15/16 in total.
Last minute.com and Ivan were later arrivals, who I
believe became the fast group of 2, as Clive and RR decided to come with me on
a flat one to Commonwood Fisheries, or so we thought; more on that later. The rest of my group were TT 1 of
course and TT2 (Teflon Toby) and a mystery ‘other’, who I didn’t discover until
a few miles down the road- Lol.
The notable absentees were the Chuckle Brothers, one on holiday in France and the other sat at home crying for his soul mate -Lol (Alan was in fact sick). He was still getting over the lurgy that I had the week before. There seems to be lots of it about at the moment. Clive had decided to abandon his fast chum buddies because, I believe, Ivan had worn him out on a long one on Tuesday- Lol.
DM was there in his civvies, promoting his Bob Cliff
memorial event (31 May) which is a fair bit cheaper this year at £23. For those
who might not know, there is a 50 and a 80 mile option. GPX route files can be
downloaded, for those who don’t use the paper version of a Garmin or one of
those wind up Wahoos - Lol.
Back to the ride. All the groups set off pretty much
together, with me holding up my group for a change (bloody Garmin had dumped
the route, yet again!). We eventually set off to the right, heading for Cheshire Oaks, via
Picton. However, after a mile or so, I found myself wondering who the extra
rider was in our group. He was wearing a colourful kit that I didn’t recognise.
Just as I was about to drop back to find out who it was, he pulled up alongside
me and I discovered it was Paul. He seemed to just appear in the group, as
I didn’t clock him at Meadow Lea. I also haven’t seen him for at least a year.
I’m guessing he arrived just as we were leaving.
Anyway, after a brief discussion we settled in to a
nice rhythm, with a very light tailwind.
It wasn’t long before we reached Cheshire Oaks and
took the footpath to the left, avoiding the main highway and delivering us into
Rake Lane, almost immediately passing the pub of the same name, which is
probably the largest of the Brunning & Price chain. A few miles later we were through
Backford and settling into our stride, which gave me a chance to chat with
Clive about his local area, coming from Mollington. We
hit Saughall, where Clive pointed out a free library in a bus stop, they are a
bit of a thing around those parts apparently-Lol.
We turned left, heading for Saltney Ferry, via Blacon,
just after Lucy’s cafe or is that Lynda’s - Lol. I then decided on a last-minute
change and took the Greenway for a half mile, avoiding the centre of
Blacon. I was getting some back-seat driver suggestions, so I did the
complete opposite of course - Lol.
After I almost turned up the wrong exit from the
Greenway, we got on to the road and pick up our pace down to Sealand Road,
where we came to an abrupt stop, due to a stationary traffic tailback, all the
way into Chester. Clive took to the pathway and before we knew we had passed
the lot, turning right into Ferry Lane. We crossed the river Dee , which was flowing fast at
near full tide, via the footbridge of course and continued south toward
Saltney, skirting the perimeter via a little foot path that even Clive didn’t
know - quote, “that’s a new one on me” - Lol.
It wasn’t long before we were passing through
Dodleston and negotiating our second level crossing of the day. Less than a couple of miles further
on, through Pulford, passing Fiona & Elwyn’s gaff at Lavister.
As we passed by, I mentioned to the group that our only hill of
the day was just coming up, to which somebody remarked “what Marford
Hill”. “Yep” from me, “but only half of it”. A mile or so further
on, I catch the group up, waiting at Hoseley Lane, half way up Marford Hill.
After our regroup, I think RR pointed out the infamous
Pistyll Hill, just a few hundred metres further on. It must be one of the
toughest short climbs in the county, only a couple of hundred metres, but a twat! Anyway, that prompted me to mention
climbing Pistyll Hill 4 times in one morning, when I test rode the whole Whyte
range from Alf Jones Cycles ( it was only a 2 mile loop each time- Lol) I did
eventually purchase a Whyte Wessex, some 7 years back now. The same one you see
me riding in winter. Nowadays, my current leg issues won’t allow me to attempt
Pistyll Hill - Lol.
Anyway, I digress again. We were only a mile or two
from our lunch destination, which was to be the Acorn Cafe at Commonwood
Fisheries, after descending Borras Hill, plus another mile of tarmac. That said, we arrived in lovely
sunshine, looking forward to a halloumi wrap, only to be told the cafe was
shut, but open on Fri- “you’re kidding” was my response.
Hence, we ended up at Maggie’s, which was lovely
anyway. We sat
outside and basked in the sun. Our food was very quick. Clive’s half breakfast
looked very nice indeed. Both TT2 and I went for the vegan sausage roll, which
was a tasty, spicy number.
For the life of me, I can’t remember a single
conversation, I think I was too busy stretching my legs and enjoying the
gorgeous sunshine. I
do remember the brief discussion on who was heading home or needed to get back
to Meadow Lea. Only Paul was heading back to Meadow Lea, although Clive and TT2
were passing by en route to the Chester suburbs, which meant I could leave Paul
in their capable hands, as I decided to bail at Bruera via Platts Lane. My legs
just didn’t have anything, from the start to be fair.
After a pacey restart up to Churton, we turned right
over the bridge of Aldford Brook and continued at pace to Bruera, where I left
the group and immediately knocked the pace off to a crawl. We had in fact managed 15 mph average
speed up to me leaving the group, which became 14.7mph by the time I got home,
6 miles later.
Well, that’s that folks, another enjoyable meander
logged in the old memory banks, with a few good laughs and great company.
Till next time gents.
NT
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