12th September 2024 : Dunham Massey (Brisk)

Ivan and I drove through to Delamere in torrential rain and with an outside temperature of 8c; this dampened our enthusiasm for today's ride out to “The Vine” at Dunham Massey.

The Met office had forecast the rain to ease with only occasional showers from late morning but  we weren’t convinced  and came very close to abandoning our day out. We used a route designed by Ivan which  led us through Norley and out to Acton Bridge. It was here the sun emerged allowing us to remove our waterproofs. Continuing on, we  skirted around the eastern side of Lymm  arriving at “The Vine” just after midday.

The weather forecast was obviously correct as the sun was now shining and the roads had dried considerably throughout the morning making for an easy trouble-free ride. Our venue was not to busy so our order of food and drink was delivered promptly and we were back on the bikes in no time.

Initially heading south east, we skirted around the boundary of Dunham Park and through the village of Hale.Turning to the south west we then weaved our way past Tatton Park and through Great Budworth  stopping briefly to admire the Anderton Boat lift. After crossing over the River Weaver we navigated our way  through Northwich and Hartford to join our outbound route at Norley. Here we came across the Mod’s who were returning from their ride to Goostrey. On reaching Hatchmere  Ivan and I parted company as he decided to make the most of good weather and ride home.

I’m glad we made the effort  to ride this morning  because the change from appalling to good weather conditions did allow us to enjoy an uneventful 50 mile route.

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KP

Photos KP and ID

10th August 2023: Dunham Woodhouses (mod)

There was a good turnout on a warm morning outside Delamere station cafe. Andy, Peter and Jim were having to return after coffee, and  Dave Matthews would be peeling off early. It was good to hear that Peter was riding more and making progress with his recovery, and also to see Ray return from injury. The rest of the group consisted of Ever Ready Ray, Steve Tan, Trevor, Alan, Clive and myself. I suggested The Rope and Anchor as a lunch stop. I had led a group there in the past, and ridden out to lunch with Keith to this destination adjacent to the Trans Pennine Way. There was a very pleasant outside area, and the food had been fine.

We headed out via the attractive backwater around Norley Hall, and diverted at Crowton down Ainsworth Lane. Surprisingly, Steve spotted a friend of ours from Runcorn turning his car around in this quiet lane. We think that he must have been visiting the home of Mick Miller, who had, sadly, very recently past away. Mick, in his prime, was a larger than life, big-bearded, blue-eyed Viking of a character with his own coal business, and was a master chimney sweep. R.I.P. Mick. From Acton Bridge we headed for Cogshall Hall, and turned into Comberbach along Senna Lane. We avoided the plunge down and up to Great Budworth, passing the Cock O' Budworth on our way to Bate Heath. We turned north and reached Little Bollington by way of Hoo Green and Booth Bank. All very scenic, lovely little lanes, time to cruise and chat to Ray S, about the culture of our club, and our experiences riding up Ventoux. I was also able to share with Alan the challenges of living with partners who are always keen to 'disappear' your stuff, and of maintaining family cars that are probably past their sell by date.  

Photo by AO

At Arthill, I consulted about lunch, and we decided we would try my suggestion of the Rope and Anchor, although on passing The Swan with Two Nicks I noticed it wasn't too crowded, and was tempted. As our destination was only ten minutes away, it was decide not to bother wasting time ringing, as we usually had no problems just turning up. Not this time! The Rope and Anchor was obviously understaffed in the catering department, we would have a long wait for food , and they couldn't serve us in the garden. And, it wasn't even busy! Clive had mentioned  The Vine, and as we had only just passed it, about 300m back, we finished up there. Ray Baird's pie and chips seemed fine, but the roast sandwiches were simply awful. I won't be going back! As I had to miss last week's ride, this was consecutive rides for me with a disgusting lunch (The Lord Combermere being the previous one).

After luch we set out across the sun-soaked fields towards towards Lymm on the Trans Pennine Trail. Sparky Baird was feeling the heat, and it was an exceptionally hot day, when the need to stay hydrated was a priority. I came off the old rail route a little early, thinking that a brisk mile on the main road would be direct and quick, but road works thwarted us. After climbing out of Lymm from The Cross we took the back lanes to Sworton Heath, crossing the A50 and taking Swineyard Lane toward the old airfield and Antrobus. Clive and Ray Stigter excused themselves, and headed for the A56. We returned via Antrobus, Frandley and Little Leigh. Steve, Alan and myself treated ourseves to ice creams at Delamere. Trevor had carried on for home at Hatchmere,  so had clocked some extra miles on a hot day. We covered about forty five miles from Delamere and back on mainly quiet, rural lanes. The company was enjoyable as ever, but the lunch experience is likely to make me even more conservative in my choice of future pub destinations. 

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DH

1st December 2022 : Dunham Massey (brisk)

Five of us had been out on a 60+ mile loop out from Chester and back on Tuesday. This started off cold but crisp and in the sunshine along the river path. Around Wrexham, the misty gloom came down and the temperature dropped as well and never got above 5C. It would be the same today without the sunshine though.

Ivan had put together a 50+ miler out-and-back from Delamere to The Vine at Dunham Massey. I suggested a modification in that we wouldn't need to go back to Delamere (as all the riders had ridden out) but make it a 70+ miler as if we had all started from Mickle Trafford. So if you are looking for such a ride - then here it is!

The station cafe was busy as I joined Ray, Steve T and H for coffee – to warm up! It soon became much busier with a dozen or so CER members. The Brisk group consisted of Ray, John W, Richard, Ivan and myself as we set off along with the Mods, up the bumpiest road in Cheshire heading for Acton Bridge. Down Norley Lane, hedge cutting was in progress and Ray picked up what he thought was a problem with the thorns – but it was just a large thorn twig wrapped around his front brakes – a narrow miss then.

The other side of Acton Bridge, we divert westwards down Heath Lane crossing to Higher Lane. This manoeuvre we would repeat on the way back as it was the cross over point of the figure-of-eight shaped ride. Hatton comes and goes as does Walton Hall Golf club. I notice here that a lot of the trees are still in full golden autumn leaf. Now we are wiggling through Appleton and Grappenhall towards Lymm.

We arrive at The Vine soon after opening time and 36 miles from Mickle Trafford, and inside there are already two formation drinking tables in evidence. Service is brisk as we take the window seat with a view of the Primitive Methodist Church across the road. Prices have risen here I noticed; however, the food was quickly delivered and of good quality, although the “smaller plate” option was quite small..

Conscious of the gathering gloom, we set off for High Legh via the “Swan with Two Nicks” bridge transfer. We work our way around the old airfield and the Arley Airstrip towards Antrobus. The old airfield was the Royal Naval Air Station Stretton (aka HMS Blackcap). Wiki details here. As we approach the centre of the figure-of-eight transfer, I worry that the Garmins will interpret the need to go back down the outward route – but it works fine without a blip.

The rest of the route is straightforward once we get on the A56 in and out of market day Frodsham and Helsby all the way back to Chester. So another good day out with 70+ miles ridden at 16mph average – not bad considering the cold and the many lanes we rode down today and fortunately no incidents to report on. Back home by 1530!

So, thanks to Ivan for the original route idea and lunch venue and to Richard, Ray and John W for dragging me around the lanes.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

18th August 2022 : Dunham Massey (brisk)

Starting from the station café at Delamere for today’s start, John and I join up along the greenway for the ride out and have to suffer this on the return journey also. Andy passes us as he’s sprinting along station lane on his ride from Mold. We pass Richard on the Warrington Road but failed to recognise him.

Arriving at Delamere, we meet up with Ken who was out only for the coffee along with John M and Nick both journeying out by car. Richard arrived shortly after giving the Brisk group 5 riders today. Excellent!!

The only pic of the day!

As a route had been previously distributed, we were ready for the ride to Dunham Massey and our lunch stop “The Vine Inn “secretly hoping they were open as our last visit it was locked up.

Setting off at 10:30 prompt, bidding Ken farewell until Tuesday, the 5 of us head towards Hatchmere. Taking the turn onto School Lane it’s a stop! Garmins not working for Nick, John, and myself. A reboot of the route and were off via Cuddington and Sandiway. Our first road closed sign along Norley Lane but we had easy access through. The next on the second uphill hill to Sandiway we were greeted with another road closed. Fixing potholes but we were allowed through.

On arrival at Winsford my navigation went haywire. Whilst the main group followed my route I deviated and headed the wrong way. We are so geared to heading up Station Road I am heading in that direction whilst the rest head up to Wharton Rd. Catching up with them, we continue through Winsford joining London Road and leaving Winsford behind. Through Davenham, we navigate to Lostock Gralam and skirting the picturesque village of Gt. Budworth. Heading up to High Legh we arrive at Bucklow Hill greeted by another closure of a past lunch stop. The inn now boarded up. Crossing the main Chester Rd, we take a sharp left to Rostherne. At the end of the lane, we are opposite Tatton Park and the straight Ashley Road. It’s the only time today that its heads down and pedals whizzing round as we motor along the road at a good pace. We take a track called South Downs Road to cut the corner on Park Road taking us into Hale. Between Hale and Dunham is the expensive homes of Bowden but the road surface is very poor surface. The expensive cars using this road are usually Chelsea Tractors, so I don’t expect too much of an issue for them, but our poor bikes and bodies didn’t appreciate it. 

Crossing the busy Dunham Rd, we’re not far from lunch. Arriving at the Vine, I am pleased to see the car park busy so looking good. It's open and we sit outside. Selection of lunch and lime and soda ordered we enjoy the warm sunshine. Due to the excellent beer, I can’t remember what the discussion over lunch was about!! Therefore, we continue our ride back towards Delamere with a mere 22 miles to ride. We’ve ridden 40 miles before lunch, and it was hoped we’d have a tail wind but no such luck. Our general direction now is back via Heatley and Lymm and Sworton Heath before changing direction and riding along the concrete surface alongside Arley airfield. Along the pleasant lanes to Antrobus we join Hall Lane and Cogshall Lane leading to Antrobus and Soot Hill which is still blocked but open for cyclists. Winnington and the climb up Burrows hill its now the usual ride to Norley and Maddocks Hill. Over the top we arrive at Hatchmere where John M and Nick leave us to return to Delamere while John W, Richard and I ride on to Chester.

A circular route of 62 miles with 2 climbs and 3000 feet of total ascent its a note that require effort!!

it’s been a good ride and the only bike incident was three chains bouncing off due to road surface.

The extended ride out and back gives a total of 91 for Richard, 89 for John and happy with 82 for me and covered at an average of plus 16mph. Well done all and a very enjoyable day in your company and to Ken for making the effort to join us for coffee. Until next week – enjoy the weekend.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ID