17th September 2026 : Whittington Special Ride (Brisk)

This ride, being the last club ride starting in Chirk this year, we had promoted it to Special Ride status. So this brisk ride and the moderate version below, needed to be worthy of a Special Ride status. We all thought it was; we being Ray S, Al, Chris, Simon and myself. We met up at Caffi Wylfa, which in my opinion is a nicer place than the usual one we use. The Mods had a new rider in Dave N to greet and Dave M arrived having cycled from home and was going to do his own thing today.

So both groups set off down Castle Road where the Mods soon slid off uphill into Western Rhyn whereas us Briskers cruised for 7 miles gently upwards to Glyn Ceiriog village. It was a little chilly but there was sunshine in prospect today and maybe a few short sharp showers later in the day. We were soon warming up as we turned southeast and uphill on the B road to Selattyn. We double our elevation from 600ft  in Glyn Ceriog to 1150ft in Selattyn under 6 miles. We did enjoy the next few miles of high speed running down to Hengoed where we joined the Mods outward route. 

This tiny lane takes us passed Oswestry’s Iron Age hill fort where I can’t resist stopping for a group photo reminding Al that perhaps one of his first century Roman ancestors may have been on sentry duty. Of necessity, we have to endure riding through Oswestry’s eastern suburbs to exit out over the A5 to Middleton and Aston Square before crossing the A5 a mile later onwards to Maesbury Marsh and Woolston Ban

We cross over the A5 for the third time on the  footbridge at West Felton thence down some lovely lanes via Gimpo to hit the Queen’s Head to Ellesmere road at Rednal where the smooth surface of the recently resurfaced tarmac is a pleasure to ride on for a couple of fast miles. Turning left towards Lower and Welsh Hamptons, I warn the group about the two mountainous canal bridges and that the road runs ever upwards to Welsh Frankton church at the A595 Ellesmere to Whittington main drag.

As I’m the first at the top, I espy a rogue dark cloud spinning its way towards us and recommend we don our rain jackets. A mighty deluge and high winds follow for about 10 minutes as we shelter in the lea of a house and a high hedge. Chris tells us at lunch that there was a large bus shelter just round the corner. We take the plunge downhill for a mile when the rain and wind abated to be put through a car-wash created by the big wagons speeding passed us in the opposite direction. Turning left in Berghill Lane (no hill in evidence though as it's a flat lane) we find the road is quite dry with only odd patches of rain evident. A “Tree Down” closure sign halts us briefly until a municipal rubbish lorry drives by so we follow and then pass it on our way to Babbinswood.

It’s now only a short distance into Whittington and the Castle Tea rooms situated close by the ruins. The Mods have been there for about 30 minutes and missed the deluge and were eating their hot lunches. Although I had rung and left a message about 10 of us turning up, it was a futile attempt to forewarn them as they don’t have a phone although there is a phone number on the website!!! . This was for the Olde Boote pub across the way who didn’t bother to respond.  We order up some decently fare which comes pretty quickly and is of good quality and reasonably priced. 

At Oswestry's Iron Age hill fort

Ready to ride after lunch

We are anxious to set off to chase the Mods back to Chirk as we are now taking the same route. I eschew riding directly up the main road as it is a narrow and uncomfortable race track of a main road. We sidle towards Gobowen Hospital turning towards Derwen College where we haven’t been for a long time. The route is now towards Hindford but branching left finds us at the St Martins road and now minus Al and Simon. I find that Simon has a puncture and Al is assisting. However as Chris, Simon and Al have decided to cycle the 25 or so miles back to Chester, Ray and I continue on to Chirk.

I haven’t yet mentioned the major road works in the centre of Chirk that disrupted the parking for the day, but Ray had managed to navigate himself to the usual car park anyway. So the planned return route takes us down to the Ceiriog river valley with its steep ascent back into Chirk and the usual car park. I had parked down near the station which was close to the Caffi Wylfa.

So not an especially fast route at 15 mph but certainly a good example of the Welsh and Shropshire scenery today in good conditions for September. So thanks to all who turned out today, especially the Brisk group who had to contend with my e-bike ascents of the hills. 

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Bonus Ride report from Chris E detailing the Chester bound trio's exploits on the way home

With seeing Clive and Ray setting off back to Chirk as it wasn't too much further on, that left Al, Simon and myself, Chris. Once we helped Simon with his rubber and rubbing issues, we also eventually set off again. Following the route only so far we turned right to head towards a little village called Glynmorlas to then head to Overton, which treated us to some more climbs.

Once reaching Overton we decide to head back through Tallern Green as it's almost as if the crow flies back to Chester. I punch in the destination set for home and I'm pleased to see that'll achieve my target of 100miles for the day.

On the way my battery pack decided to disembark from my bike and got obliterated into several pieces. Al says I should blame Clive as he borrowed it over lunch time 😅 , but I shall not as he led a great ride and this is an add-on to his write up. 

We made Tallern Green just as it tried to rain on us but we pushed on and pushed onto Farndon where we paced ourselves. As it was near what seemed like rush hour we took the Saighton and Sandy way route. Al remarked on how much roadkill he counted today, to be fair I notice/ point out a few myself.

We reached the Locked Vaults where we said our goodbyes to Simon. I thank the chaps for keeping me company for the return journey. I escort Al home as this is the biggest ride to date, close to 80miles. He'll soon be in the 100mile club.

Thanks all for a great day of cycling