16th July 2026: Malpas

 Today’s ride started from Alisons in Tattenhall, a start point that over the years has become a nightmare for me due to the fact I’ve gone more than once to Tarporley  - it has a letter T in it hasn’t it ? 

So today the motley crew for our bimble to Malpas via a very convoluted route consisted of myself, D Heath, ride coordinator plus many other things throughout the day , Mike G , electric Ray and George .

 We set out heading towards everyone’s favourite hill (Harthill), but because it’s also many people’s nemesis, we just skirted it today heading along Bolesworth Lane then onto Bolesworth Hill road which runs through to Brixton Wood heading towards Brown Knowl. Skirting around Duckington heading towards No man’s Heath and on towards our destination at the Little Deli in Malpas ,we were incurring absolutely no issues which, for the mods, is probably up there with the seven wonders of the world. But then we had a small one where George was having difficulty releasing his right foot from his pedal. I watched a master class of not falling and removing a foot from his shoe which was a moment of pure wow, how did he achieve that, but all told it wasn’t very elegant, just pure instinct.  This is when Mike produced a war time relic he stores as cycle maintenace stuff in an ever-expanding cycle bag.  Mike now seems to have taken over from Dave Pipe in having all manner of useful bits of very old tools. Anyway, the job was left to me to remove the shoe and repair the cleat as I had the very same problem a few weeks back. Job done and on we went. There was plenty of mentioning of how the roads we were using actually had tarmac and relatively smooth which kept our little mob happy. We just carried on to Malpas meandering and chatting in the fantastic cycling weather we have had of late. 

The Little Deli in Malpas has now become the mods cafe of choice in this town as they always look after us which they did again today. This is also another unusual occurrence - we just chatted the usual topics of the day and left without any issues. Now I am getting worried, expecting to be hit with Halley’s comet or a lightning bolt as ‘no issues’ is becoming a new theme.  I’m putting it down to being age-related, as in the past, the mods seem to have had their fair share of all sort of mishaps, but now are just used to carrying out the normal daily routines without them.  It has only taken 70 odd years! I do wonder sometimes though, have I seen my future and who is going to take over as group carer? I even mentioned that I think I will open my own care home exclusively for CER members. So if any of the club is interested, just email the secretary to circulate a list .

The journey back was through Tallarn Green and Shocklach, heading to Tilson, Barton then returning to Alison’s, we covered around 33/40 miles, the discrepancy being due to myself going ahead and missing a turn. I know our  the rule is that we should wait at junctions but anyway, Mike chased me and the other culprit (Ray) down. Yes, it is like herding cats as Mike puts it. Well after reflection time at home over a nice brew I can say that it was yet another fantastic day. Thanks to Dave for cobbling a good route. the weather, company so it’s a yes from me.

KB