18th May 2023: Wrenbury (mod +)

Rose Farm was the venue for todays ride and a somewhat smaller gathering than normal, for this location that is (8, if I recall correctly- had a few wines since then-Lol). The day was looking promising, with the sun out, light winds and a nice cuppa out side- Lol. I had in fact arrived early with Trevor, after catching him up at the top of Wood Lane. We were surprised to see the cafe already open. We subsequently discovered that they now open at 9am. I had a route in mind to ‘The Park’ cafe (Wrenbury) and the intention of tapping out a quicker ride  than usual, as I needed to get home a bit earlier than usual. This appealed to Nick, and Steve Hu, as none of us wanted or needed to end up back at Rose Farm. Steve also wanted to get 100 miles in and my route was roughly in the right direction to facilitate that ambition (mad sod- Lol). The smaller gathering meant we were all quickly sorted for the ride groups. No sooner decided and we were off, leaving Steve T, I believe, to lead the other group.

Left out of Rose Farm for us and a nice little climb to start us off, as I turned right into Fishers Green and then up Ridge Hill, much to the consternation of the other two- Lol, as it is a descent drag, but way nicer than the horrible shorter Ukinton  Road. We are soon thrashing down the road into the top of Tarporley for the immediate left up another, but easier drag to Portal Golf Club, where we turn right into the lengthy down hill, through Ruddell Heath, thus avoiding Tarporley High Street.

This work around led us into a couple of lovely narrow lanes to the A49. We only have to use the A road for approximately 400 mtrs, in order to pick up the lane through to Tilston Bank (which you must know by now is one of my favourite little stretches, in the whole of the county). Right at the Dysart Arms and the immediate left lead us up and around the back of Bunbury (thinking the main drag was still closed, only for Steve to inform me it was now open again). However, I prefer Whyche Road anyway and our second crossing of the River Gowy - Lol.

As we pass Tilly's cafe, I imagined  a respectful nod, as they make the best ‘Eggs Royal’ in the land. However, I had a little smile, as I knew our cafe destination, serves a similar plate, almost as good. I think this was when Steve made his traditional query about how many miles we had till lunch- Lol. We were now whipping through the lanes on route to crossing the main A road at Faddiley and across to the more interesting section of my route. As usual I had planned a deliberately convoluted route to our destination, as there are some fabulous narrow lanes around that area, in great condition. This subsequently caused Nick to be continuously surprised, as I kept turning the opposite way to his natural instincts (he knows this area well and clearly rides them in a different way- Lol). Steve was, by now, already making a mental note of the route, in order to ride it with his wife, which he later commented he would do. The good condition of the lanes prompted a little discussion between me and Nick, regarding some of the worse lanes we have encountered, in particular how we both avoid the awful lanes around Hanmar- Lol.

Before we knew it we were passing ‘The Swan’, at Marbury, where  I pointed out, to Steve, a great picnic spot, at the back of St Michael’s church, over looking the ‘Big Mere’ (that is it’s name-Lol) I couldn’t claim the glory for discovering this lovely spot, as it was  DH who pointed it out to me on a previous ride, some years ago. Anyway, we now head off along Wrenbury Lane, through Marley Green and on into Wrenbury for our lunch stop (26 miles done).

We couldn’t help but have a little banter with the young girl who took our simple order of 3 teas and 3 ‘eggs royal’- Lol. “Wish every group was as simple as that”, was her reply. It didn’t take long to come either, which meant we were setting off again within 30 minutes, which suited us all. We did however, manage a little thoughtful laugh and a joke at Allan’s expense, after Steve commented about him missing the ride, due to him having to fix his car. Steve again commented on the exceptionally quiet lanes and the lovely scenery, several of the lanes he had not encountered before.  We both thought Al would be gutted to have missed such an interesting route, so we promised not to let him know what a cracking ride he had missed- Lol- Lol ( surely he won’t read this-Lol).

Photos by Neil

My return route now took us back through the same area, but on different lanes, until Nick decided he was at a convenient location for him to head off home (somewhere near Egerton). No sooner had Nick said cheerio, when Steve suggested we didn’t have to stick to the route, giving me the option to adapt it so we passed closer to Tattenhall, which would be convenient for me and also heading in the right direction for him. He also expressed a wish to keep the rest of the route flatter, being as he had another 40 miles to do.

So, a quick rethink by me meant that we headed off toward Tilston via Duckington, which ironically meant that Nick could have stayed with us, as we were in fact now heading directly toward his house and probably only half a mile behind him- Lol. I avoided the lovely Goldford Lane, through Bickerton, in favour of the relatively flat ‘Long Lane’, with its very high hedge rows and lovely tarmac. After a couple of miles we then turned right, slightly up hill toward Brown Knowl, but then head off left to Tilston, along one of the best lanes in Cheshire, which didn’t go a miss with Steve. My intention was to drop Steve at the top of Wetreins lane (only half a mile from the Lost Barn cafe, which we didn’t stop at- Lol). This would allow Steve to cross the river Dee, via Farndon/ Holt and then work his way home to Penyffordd. I could then swing back up through Carden Park for a last few miles of light hills, which I did.

I got home at 14:30 with 58 miles on the clock and a few small hills under the belt. What a cracking day in the sun, reinforced by not having to battle winds, several cracking lanes and a few good laughs. 

Thanks gents, enjoyed it a lot and please don’t mention anything to Al- Lol- Lol- Lol.

Till next time.

Neil.

16th March 2023 : Wrenbury (brisk)

It always feels a long way out to Delamere from home. I met Jim and Trevor on the Delamere Forest leg and pushed on to the cafe at 15 miles. Not as far as some come – but enough first thing in the morning. Ken was already in the cafe and quite soon a goodly number of riders were ensconced in the warm cafe environment.

There was just Ken and I to represent the “Fast Lads” as others were doing their own thing or away skiing. Ken had cobbled together a route as I had done and both going broadly north south to mitigate the southerly wind on the return trip. We agreed to head for Whitchurch on my route and when at Wrenbury, evaluate whether to continue on or cut to a cafe.

So south we went to Cotebrook, Eaton and onto Barbridge. Here we take the A51 for a short distance before sliding left and over the canal to eventually join the Wettenhall to Nantwich road in all its pock-marked glory. At the busy Burford Crossroads, we head south towards Ravensmoor down Ravens Lane which was in a really poor state. We take the long way round to Sound and into Wrenbury.

This was the cross-over point for my original ride, and we have decisions to make now: a) carry on down to Whitchurch or b) cut that loop out thus saving 9 miles. As the sky as looking decidedly black south of us we decide to cut out the loop. The second decision was of Shakespearian proportions : “To B or not To B?” Aficionados of these blogs will know that “B” stands for Bhurtpore Inn. We decide to check out No.18 The Park and if it is not busy, to lunch there instead. Despite the car park being quite full, the cafe has a lot of tables free – so it was decided to lunch here.

Food at No.18 The Park

You are always assured of good food here and so it was today. Ken suggested that we use the return section of his route back to Kelsall and so we set off just as the rain starts – only lightly, but still really wet roads now. We head for Bunbury down familiar lanes and out round the east of Tarporley sliding past Eaton again. 

As Ken had driven over today, he kindly offers to give me a car-assist back to the outskirts of Chester. I’m definitely up for this as the rain comes and goes – the price for this offer was the climb out of Cotebrook and up Heaths Lane to where he had parked his car.

So Ken drops me near Hoole roundabout where the last few miles to home are enjoyed in a heavy fine rain and I arrive home with 59 miles ridden whereas Ken would have managed about 45 today. So a joint effort on piloting today cycling in a relaxed mode, and the correct decision being made to stop and enjoy lunch at The Park.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Photo ex The Park website

7th July 2022: Wrenbury

 

As usual I am a little behind the curve with my submission, as I am down in London visiting my son. There’s always something that gets in the way of the blog ( I must try harder- Lol)

It was so hot last night (in a flat of course) that I am up very early this morning and therefore with no excuse to not get on with the blog, before the rest of London comes alive- Lol.

 

So, a somewhat chilly and overcast start to the day, however, the forecast was for better ( in fact, it did not improve much, except for the temperature, as we later discovered)

With less than the usual gathering at Rose Farm cafe, it didn’t take long to get organised, despite a new candidate for membership (Richard, who joined the fast boys)

 

I reckon there were 10 in total at the cafe meet, as Dave M was there and of course he went on his own merry way, as he does, but not before an interesting round up of events from the previous weeks Vets 100, which a few club members took part in. Ironically, the same major issue that affected the Vets 100 would later become our issue as well, unbeknown to both Allan and I ( the sum total of my group- Lol) More on that later.

I was slightly disappointed that we couldn’t join the two Steve’s on their ride to Goostrey, as it sounded like a good route, but both Alan and I had several reasons for creating two of the smallest moderate group rides that I can remember- Lol.

 

Anyway, we set off on my less than direct meander to ‘The Park’ cafe in Wrenbury. Little did we know that would be an unfortunate choice for the day or that the alternatives would also turn out to be a no go-Lol.

 

Being as Alan had parked somewhere in Deeside and I had ridden in from Milton Green, our destination would at least make it easy for me to ‘wing’ an interesting deviation from the plan, in order to get both of us home.

 

We skirt around Tarporley high street, by heading up the hill and past Portal golf course, in order to take a few different lanes past Eaton, heading for Bunbury. However, almost immediately, we had to make an about turn, due to a monster tractor trimming hedges, which blocked the whole lane. We were never going to get by, so we took the previous, very narrow lane that we had just passed. This was an unknown to me, but a quick scan of my Garmin revealed what I thought was a short loop around the tractor; however, the narrow right turn, only a few hundred meters further on, did not exist- Lol.

By now Alan was wondering where we were heading, when I piped up with another deviation, which unfortunately meant we would have to ride a half mile on the A51, in order for us to then head down through my favourite little hamlet of Tilston Fearnall. Once through TF, I lead us around the back of Bunbury, via Woodworth Green, which I don’t think Alan had ridden before, although he was familiar with Bunbury, remarking that there was a nice cafe around here, somewhere?- Lol. So it was, that we pass Tilly’s and turn left out of the village, at Yew Tree Inn. We were heading south via a popular route, which crosses the main road at Brindley/Faddiley.

 

The route then became a very nice meander through some of my favourite lanes. Alan remarked about how quiet it was, as we barely saw a car for miles. We keep the pace respectable, which was rather easy, as we had a cross tail wind for most of the route to ‘The Park’. However, I did point out to Alan that we would have a headwind for virtually all of the route beyond Wrenbury. However I had planned for that, as most of the planned lanes should provide great protection from said headwinds.

 

After meandering through, Chorley, Cholmondley, Bickley Moss, Norbury Common, past the Swan at Marbury and a few other little hamlets, we arrive at ‘The Park’ cafe, only to find all the outside chairs and tables all stacked away, but the door open. A brief chat with a young girl inside revealed that they were closed, due to no water in the village- what!? I was really looking forward to their gorgeous ‘Eggs Royale’ - Aaaaah!

I subsequently suggest the Dusty Miller pub, only a half mile away, on the canal. 

After 200 metres we pass the Post Office, which I ironically point out to Alan, had often been a stop off point for CER rides of old, before the days of ‘The Park’ cafe, which has since filled the gap that the Post office used to bridge.

 

We walk into the Dusty Miller, only to be told there is no food because they also have no water (there’s a surprise). It transpired that all the surrounding villages, south of the canal had had no water since 10am and that they still didn’t know why, which Alan found unbelievable, as it was now 1pm.

After the realisation that we had no options, that weren’t more than 5 miles away, we reluctantly head back to the Post Office hence, the irony earlier- Lol. However, not before another brief frustration; the bar man came out as we mounted our bikes, yet again, to offer us ready made sandwiches from the fridge. I enquire if he had prawns, being a pescatarian ( that’s not a wild cat control officer- Lol) to which he replied, “yes”.We dismount again and lock up, just as the bar man comes out, apologetically, to say “all the sandwiches are meat”.

By now I am starting to lose it; “You're not having a good day”, said Alan, with a bit more than a chuckle in his voice- Lol.

 

Fortunately, the only bit of sun that day, had now come out making the Post Office a  more palatable lunch spot- Lol. After a couple of cold pasties, literally in the case of Allan- Lol, we were ready for the off. We were grateful that the Post Office had a hot drinks machine, which obviously had a reasonable tank of water, because we were still able to get a very nice hot chocolate / coffee.

 Photo by ?

We set off again, having decided on a route to get Alan over to Holt, via my absolute favourite lane , up through Bickerton. As I surmised, we hardly noticed any headwinds, due to the hedgerow cover and before we knew it we were up through Bickerton, admiring the sunny view and wishing I owned one of the houses on that ridge line. Moments later we were beating it along Duckington Lane and into Tilston, where for the first time we did experience the full on headwind as we head to Stretton and Wetreins Lane, where I drop Alan off.

After a brief discussion on the best route for him, he heads off for Borras Head, in order to avoid the direct headwinds of Rossett road, which are always a bitch with a north westerly wind ( 4 mile stretch of very exposed road). I head off home, via Barton, passing Manor Wood cafe. It was only 6 miles home for me, where as Alan had another 12-ish.

I got home with 60 miles on the clock and Alan, I assume, had approximately 70.

Not a bad day in the end, with no rain, despite the threatening sky’s. More than a little frustration at times, but still a good ride with good company.

NT

19th August 2021 : Wrenbury (brisk)

A What’s App chat confirmed that the brisk group was likely to be thin on the ground today;  myself, John W and Nick.  A last minute cancellation text from John reduced the 3 to 2.

Leaving the Moderates to sort out their itinerary and configurations  Nick and myself departed on our 70km route around Nantwich and Wrenbury but within two kilometres of starting  we had to don rain jackets and these were on off all morning.

From Delamere we  skirted around Oulton Park  passing through Wettenhall straight into  Nantwich. After crossing the Nantwich bypass we meandered along the cycleway, following the River Weaver, until we joined Marsh Lane and then headed out through to Ravensmoor and Sound.

The cafe at The Dusty Miller in Wrenbury was the initial choice for the lunch  but in view of the rain Nick suggested stopping at The Park as they have a covered patio area .The Park is a family run business in a lovely location overlooking the Cheshire countryside and close to the canal. The service was efficient and the ordered food and drink came promptly although the food we chose was  uninspiring. 

As we left Wrenbury the rain clouds gathered threatening to soak us again but as we turned east to cross the A534 at Faddiley the conditions improved and, by the time we reached Bunbury, the rain jackets and arm warmers were all neatly stashed away.

From Bunbury we went along College Lane, crossed  the Shropshire Union Canal at Tiverton lock and then briefly joined the A51 before escaping along the delightfully named Rabbit Burrows Lane into Tarporley. It was here Nick and I parted company each of us going separate ways to collect our cars.

Although the rain showers were annoying it was an uneventful and enjoyable day on the bike. The enjoyment was  especially highlighted for me given this was my first CER ride for nearly 18 months .

See route map and/or gpx file download

KP