2nd April 2026: Malpas

Editor's note: Due to a communications mix up, we have two reports for this ride from Meadow Lea to Malpas. It would seem churlish to publish one and note the other, so here are both of them. The gpx file came courtesy of Trevor

Today’s meet was from Meadow Lea and the weather report was sunny, but Baltic out of the sun, so no rain wind or any other inclement weather to deal with. So our group of mods, meandering, flower smelling posse consisted of myself as group carer (well that’s what it seems like sometimes) George, Andy Whitgreave, Trevor, Ray, Dave H, who was ride leader. There were others at the meet, but they were from the other motley crew who, no doubt will be mentioned in their blog . So off we set, heading for Malpas. I remember in days of old that certain people absolutely detested going anywhere near the place. How the world has changed. (I wonder if Donald was even behind this decision by phoning said person and saying ‘go to Malpas or I will put the troops on the ground in your little village’.) The route took us from Guilden Sutton to Christleton, Rowton, Waverton, over  to Harthill territory, where a slight mutiny was avoided by us going via the sedate route to Brown Knowl (spelt correctly). Then, according to my Garmin, to a place or area called Ducking Hell, which I usually use when climbing Harthill. No Man’s Heath came and went as did some other little rural retreats on to The Little Deli cafe in Malpas . 

This little place has been used by Chester Easy Riders for many a year and every time it never lets us down, as was the case this time for our little pack of little athletic Adonis moderate cycling group. Dave H had contacted them earlier seeing if they could accommodate said athletes, which they did and really looked after us. Food and drinks came and went during which time the usual mods drivel was mentioned. We don’t half sort the problems of the world out or is it total bo**ocks? Answers at the next meet will do, as I suspect the other groups talk as much drivel or more as we do .

The route back to Meadow Lea was out via Chorlton, Horton Green through Tilson and on towards Tattenhall. Then on towards Huxley using the usual route back to Guilden Sutton. We covered approximately 44 miles for me, having ridden in from ‘the fishing village’. Slightly more as did others likes of Trevor who commuted and Andy who also ridden from home. Another fantastic ride containing good banter, a good lunch stop and a good route. So yes that’s it really, which is surprising for the mods as we didn’t have any of our usual little mishaps of losing property, people, or making the lady from the cafe having to run up the steep little climb from her place to give car keys, wallets, phones or the usual things that our group tend to forget.

 Next week is the special ride so hope to see you then.

KB

Dave Matthews had arrived for coffee despite still recovering from his heart-rate monitor replacement operation. Dave’s simpleton side-kick Andy Whitgreave intended to ride with us;  George, Trevor,  Big Ray, Krazy Keith and me completed the moderate group. I had a route that had two or three lanes unridden by most just to add a bit of spice. We set off toward Jim’s house before turning for Vicars Cross and Christleton. We then headed down Rowton Bridge Road, but the novelty quiet diversion past the Rowton Hotel was totally subverted by road closure barriers, and vehicles trying to circumnavigate the A41 road work lights. Never mind, we were soon into Waverton and cruising alongside the Shropshire Union Canal before passing the Ice Cream Farm. 

Andy, who is impressively knowledgeable about the Cheshire countryside, suggesting the quiet Carrs Lane heading up to Cheshire Fisheries, which matched my intentions. We avoided Harthill by crossing Nantwich Road to Brown Knowl . As we headed down the Old Coach Road, Andy was banging on about getting to Malpas via Duckington, as if I didn’t know of this option. However, it was my intention to get a few more miles under our belts including a couple of lanes not ridden by us before. So it was, we followed the Old Coach Road all the way to No Man’s Heath, crossing the main Whitchurch road and passing the closed Wheatsheaf Inn where Keith reminded us of past lunches of sausages in large Yorkshire puddings. It reminded me too, of good times with Bryan Wade. We re-crossed the A41 to Bickleywood and took the first right following a quiet lane which is part of the Sandstone Trail. We crossed the main road again following the little used Bradley Lane. The weather was sunny and the spring landscape delightful. The troops began to grumble about lunch, so on hitting Old Malpas Road we headed directly north to The Little Deli where I had made a booking for us earlier.  

Despite the small premises we had plenty of room that had been set aside for us. The service was friendly and the food helpings were generous and good value. On leaving I picked up the mobile of the member of staff who last year chased us up the road with my car keys. We made our way to Cuddington Heath before my care home staff came to collect me. Our way back was on wending sun-dappled lanes to Tattenhall via Tilston and the Carden climb to Clutton. From Tattenhall we took a familiar route to Hargrave and Greenlooms. Keith took off for Stanford Heath while the rest of us headed for Littleton and past Ivan’s house for sale. We nearly torpedoed Keith as we swooped down School Lane and met Station Road. It had been a very relaxed day out. I enjoyed the banter with Andy, and reflected on the enterprise of our members, with cycling challenges ahead for Trevor and Andy,  George with his walking adventures, and Ray with his sea-born voyages of discovery and  stomach enlargement. It had been good to cruise the sunny green lanes and chat. About 44 miles covered.

DH

See route map and/or gpx file download