2nd May 2024 : Bradfield Green (brisk)

At last - a warm, dry, sunny day with light winds. When was the last time we had one of these - I can’t actually remember!

At Rose Farm cafe there were a few riders already there as I arrived after the 14 mile ride out. As I arrived, I noticed Dave M looking at a Tiguan which had been “assaulted” by a large motor-home when it’s driver had attempted to squeeze passed the Tiguan to park near the car washing station. It looked to be an expensive day for the motor home driver, especially as he hadn’t realised what damage he had inflicted on the Tiguan and even more on his newish motor home.   

More riders arrived so there were four of us up for my 47 miler brisk ride to Sandbach. Well that was the original route which I had now reversed so that Nick and Shane could  drop off later in the day back towards Tilston. This meant that a Sandbach lunch stop was too early so I had espied Minshull’s Garden Centre cafe at Bradwell Green as the now preferred option. If this was heaving, then the nearby "Coach and Horses" would be a back stop.

So Alan, Nick and Shane were the trio following the route today. Steve H had just returned from his NY holiday and picked up something nasty in NY or on the plane back. Ken was busy elsewhere, and Ivan was in South Wales, whilst Ray S was just out and back for a gentle ride whilst nursing an injury. So we set off conventionally down the newly-laid tarmac on the hill outside Rose Farm and onwards to Oulton Park motor circuit where we turn left to ride through Little Budworth Country Park. Clay Lane brings us to the largely dry Whitegate Way which we ride turning off on a recently re-gravelled Grange Lane into the centre of Winsford.   

Winsford has to be borne unfortunately, as we move through to Clive Green with Coalpit Lane bringing us into the top of Middlewich. Once again acres of housing and speed bumps, plus nearly being mown down by a speeding mini-motor bike, is needed to get us into open countryside via Cledford Lane. A right at the T -junction takes us down a quiet and long Bradwall Lane to Hollings Green and thence into the market square of Sandbach itself. We look longingly at the George Inn, where we have had many a quick Spoons lunch, but we haven’t cycled far enough for lunch yet, so pass it by and out to Malkins Bank via Hassall Road.

We stop briefly at the canal basin at Malkins Bank where an ancient relative of ID once lived in the row of white-painted canal-side cottages. It’s warm and sunny and our resident photographer obliges us with a couple of snaps.

Today's peloton

At Malkins Bank

Onwards now we are through Hassall passing Wheelock Heath by emerging at Winterley and its shimmering pool. Skirting around the East to the North West of Crewe, we try to take the usually quiet Moss Lane - but No! - a definite “Road Closed" sign is evident and especially closed to cyclists and pedestrians. So a quick re-route soon finds us skirting the ever-expanding Leighton Hospital to Bradwell Green and Minshull's Garden Centre after 32 warm miles.

I expected the cafe to busy and had tried to call and book a table, but no bookings are now taken and no one answered the phone! As the car-park is packed, I go in to negotiate a table for four and fortunately we are quickly accommodated by helpful staff. We ordered up and the welcome repast soon arrives. It all looked good and was reasonably priced.

The good news about having had lunch here is that it is only 15 miles back to base! So riding well-known lanes, we head back for Alpraham via Church Minshull and Cholmondeston where Shane and Nick branch off bound for Tilston and Stretton. Alan and I head now for Eaton. Alan remarks that the air temp is now 25C according to his Garmin - and I am prepared to believe him today. We both go back to Rose Farm at about 1500 where we take a coffee in the sunshine and note that the mod group must have got back evener earlier as Dave H's car is not evident in the car park.

So I ride back to Chester and Alan drives home to sunny Wales. It's 47 miles around for Alan, mid-60's for Shane and Nick and mid 70's mileage for me. I was somewhat tired when I reached home - our speed was modest at 15.7mph but I was unaccustomed to the heat! It was an enjoyable ride as we all kept together in a tight group making for an easier ride all round. 

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Photos AO

11th October 2018 : Mow Cop (brisk)

Todays ride was starting from Utkinton – Rose Farm Café and the Brisk riders were, Ken, Nick John W and myself. A proposal of Timbersbrook and Mow Cop was suggested. The weather forecast for today was windy and rain from 14:00'ish, but I’ll make the reference now that we had a fantastic wind-assist for a lot of the route both out and return, and no rain except a little drizzle on passing Waverton although a much overcast sky.

Before departing the café, there were a few moderate riders out today but we set off first heading towards Tarporley. We pass the Portal golf course and pass Eaton and the general route passing Darnhill to Church Minshull. We continue on the notorious A530 to Middlewich before turning off to visit all the humps on the housing estate’s before reaching the main A533. We go straight over passing the Salt works. The lanes skirting Middlewich to Breteton were splendid in the autumnal colours. Arriving at the cross roads with the Bears Head inn and, not calling in today, we continue along more quiet lanes although in need of pot-hole refurb before arriving at Brownlow Heath, then joining the A34 into Congleton. 

We ride through the town and continue on the A527. The route should have taken us out onto Biddulph Moor and Timbersbrook but too late I missed the turning. An executive decision made was to continue on into Biddulph and head up to Mow Cop The lane up this side of the cop is a steady 9% and we were soon looking out over the Cheshire landscape. Continuing upwards we approach the folly at the top and the ascent goes up to 15+%. Now we were over the climbs for the day lunch was discussed after covering 37 miles from Utkinton. It’s 12:30, so another executive decision made to continue on towards Winterley before stopping for lunch. 

We ride down Station Lane, a mere 20% descent, and, as the road was damp, a much slower speed was preferred. I stopped for a photo shoot and was following the others and half way down: "pssssss"and my front tyre deflated. Such is the state of this road that it was a pinch rather than a thorn or similar. John and Nick were in front but fortunately Ken also heard the escaping air and stopped as quickly as I did. We advised the others not to come back up and proceeded to change the tube.

We were soon onwards again and passing Scholar Green, Lawton and Winterley. We have ridden these lane’s many times over the years and our lunch stop is now Bradfield Green near Leighton Hospital. Arriving at the "Coach & Horses'" we have covered 49 miles since our coffee at Rose Farm and were soon tucking in to home-made pies complimented with fresh vegetables, mash and a good size gravy boat.

Our route from here is to Church Minshull, Wettenhall and Eaton. The intention was to stop at the Old Fire Station cafe in Tarporley  for cake, but John and I decided to continue on to Chester, while Ken and Nick rode on to Rose Farm to collect their cars.

We were passing Waverton and the weather started changing and a light drizzle was dropping on us.An eventful day with good cycling and a happy group. Thanks for making this a memorable ride, one of my favourites as it is over my old riding patch. The round trip to and from the café was 64 miles but for John and I we were approaching 80 miles.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ID

Photo JW

17th August 2017 : Bradfield Green ( briskish)

I had to be back by 1600 latest as I had a 240 mile drive later in the day. Accordingly, I cobbled together a medium length ride to Minshull's Garden Centre cafe in Bradfield Green. As the rest of the riders all but one, were either going to Ellesmere or Audlem, Nick took pity on me and offered to ride shotgun for us both.

So off at a briskish pace, we soon leave Beeston Castle behind and cross the A49 at Tilstone Fearnall onwards down quiet lanes to circle around Eaton and Oulton Park. I decided that the Whitegate Way would be a little agricultural after the recent rains, so we dipped down Martonsands to enter the "prettier" side of Winsford. There was now an urban section only relieved by getting onto the A530 Nantwich Road going south towards Church Minshull.

At Wimboldsley, we hang left and down onto a thankfully resurfaced road through Occlestone Green. Hanging right, we motor through Warmingham and onwards towards Coppenhall Moss. There is a little rain in the air now. Moss Lane brings us out by "The Coach and Horses" at Bradfield Green and a stone's throw from the cafe. It was moderately busy, but the waitress service was little slow but the food worth the wait.

Nick is interested in Iron Age Hill forts and other such enigmatic ancient structures. I share his enthusiasm, and we chat about why they are there and where are they in the landscape. After a pretty brisk ride to the cafe, the return is a little slower after lunch.

The route back is unadventurous going via Church Minshull and skirting Calverley to run parallel to the A51 eventually riding a little of it towards the traffic lights at the Red Fox outside Tarporley. A left here then a right through Tiverton, enables Nick to bear left towards the Shady Oak and Tattenhall thence home to Tilston, and for me to wend my obvious way back to Chester via Waverton.

So only 47 miles around, but at almost 16mph, and much gratitude to Nick for supporting my ride today.

CA

12th January 2017: Bradfield Green (brisk)

Ivan needed to see his doctor for a check-up post his knee operation, and so he was unable to get to Rose Farm on time. So we met at Meadow Lea farm cafe to plan a suitable route out. Ivan’s recuperating very well, and considering the operation was late October, he’s now managing 50+ mile rides! So although John W was on his bike, he was only out for coffee today. This meant that Ray, Ivan and myself set off bound for Bradfield Green. Out via Christleton to Huxley, it was at the Brassey Green turn that Ivan decided that the combination of the rain and 0C temperatures was adversely affecting his new knee. Reluctantly but wisely, he called it a day. 

Ray and I decided to battle on in the rain. Out through Tarporley to Eaton, thence to Darnhall and Winsford, we were now going south on the A530 to Occlestone Green. Here we turn off bound for Warmingham and Coppenhall Moss. So after 32 miles in the wet and cold, Minshull’s Garden Centre cafe was a welcome sight. It’s situated just off the traffic lights on the Church Minshull road and A530 junction. The car park was nearly full as was the cafe. Ray and I have been once before and enjoyed the waitress service. The All day Breakfast combo suited us both. The quality and quantity was excellent and the price was fair. It should  be on the favourite lunch list for rides out of Rose Farm.

I called Ivan and he was  home recuperating in the warm. He advised that it was dry in Chester, so we were unlucky to have been cycling under the same rain cloud as it progressed eastwards from Chester to Crewe. Encouragingly the rain had stopped as we left bound for Church Minshull. The route back was familiar but bleak as it had definitely got colder. Crossing the outgoing route at Ruston, we take the hillier route back via Rose Farm and thence to Willington, Oscroft and Waverton and home.

The round trip was 55 miles and mid 60’s when I arrived home at 1515. Bike washing was the order of the day.

CA

PS: Ivan’s knee had fully recovered by the next day.

7th April 2016: Bradfield Green (brisk)

There were a lot of us at Meadow Lea farm and so it became clear that Jim’s 40 mile ride to Neston area would be oversubscribed. Ray had downloaded an “old” ride to Warmingham and so he led out with Tom, Steve T, Ken and myself in tow. The routing wasn’t ideal given the strengthening NW wind, but we enjoyed its support on the way out via Manley and Delamere Forest. Rolling around Norley, we were soon in Sandiway and bound for Foxtwist Green. We arrive at the Weaver Navigation planning to take the Weaver Parkway Path on the right hand bank, but the access gate was padlocked shut. Maybe this was to protect wildlife at the start of the breeding season; so we take the main drag of Bradford Road into sunny Winsford. We leave the town via Clive Green and end up going south on a short section of the A530 towards Crewe, before turning off at Wimboldsley Green, and, via Ecclestone Green, approach Warmingham. 

It’s too early for lunch, so on the fly I navigate on to the “Coach and Horses" at Bradfield Green where we arrive having been somewhat drenched in the unwelcome rain. This pub should definitely be on Steve H list of CER lunch stops. They produce the best chips anywhere in my opinion and I have had a few of them here before! All agreed that the food, decent ales and the welcome were wholesome. 

We can’t put off the return route any longer, so into a strengthening NW wind, we are off via Church Minshull, Bunbury bound. It’s hard work and we take it in turns leading the pack back home. Eschewing Tilly's, we head for the Ice Cream Farm for a welcome hot drink. The place is heaving as its Half Term week, but we go in and out via the specially labelled “Cyclists Exit” door. At Waverton, Ken heads for Rossett and Steve T heads back to Meadow Lea farm with 56 miles completed. The return home wasn’t exactly “brisk” but the NW wind definitely was!

CA

15th May 2014: Bradfield Green (brisk)

Today was the first day that bare legs and arms were possible, so, what’s not to like about nearly 80 miles of Cheshire countryside in the sunshine. There were a lot of us at Holt, so a foursome (Ivan, Steve, Tom and myself) set off as the "Brisk Group" bound for Bradfield Green – “Where?” - was the universal cry. North of Leighton Hospital – “Ah, I know where you mean now!” I had led a ride to this destination not quite 2 years ago, so I used the existing gpx plus a few mods on the fly. So up the A534 to Cock o’ Barton and a fast run to Tilston where we turn down Duckington Lane in formation. Around the delightful shoulder of Larkton Hill, we head out for Cholmondeley Castle. Here we go off-piste via the lanes to Bickley Town crossing the A49 at Higher Nab. We loop off the NCR45, past the Cotton Arms and out through Wrenbury bound for Sound Green. Off Mickley Hall Lane, we stop briefly at the Hack Green Secret Bunker tourist attraction (we were the only ones apart from some workmen) before heading north to Nantwich. 

Photograph by Clive Albany

There is no pretty way to easily avoid Nantwich if you want to go due North that is, but we tour round around Nantwich Lake and the Weaver meadows before dragging through suburbia to the Sainsbury’s roundabout on the A51. Ivan’s sister, who lives locally, says there is a new cycleway to Middlewich running parallel to the A530 and she is correct. It’s a wide path that runs for about a mile. We then cross the road and explore its extension which unhelpfully goes NE and we want N. We find our way back via a housing estate to the A530, then past Bentley Motors and Leighton Hospital to the Coach and Horses pub. The pub didn’t disappoint 2 years ago and it didn’t today either - definitely the best pub chips around. 

After the long repast (it was 31 miles) in which we covered world events from the AZ-Pfizer deal to potato stealing by railway employees, we head off bound for Church Minshull. Tilly’s is in prospect, but seeing we are going to arrive quite early, I add a loop in on the fly via Tilstone Bank just to warm up the legs before tea and cakes. The route back to Holt would be straightforward and rounds off at 58 miles, but as we all are Chester-bound, we head for Tattenhall where Steve heads for the hills and the three of us head for the Greenway. As I turn into the driveway, I’ve 79 mile on the clock, and no doubt Tom has a few more when he’s back in Connah’s Quay

CA

28th June 2012: Bradfield Green

Back from two weeks off, namely sitting about on a boat, it was a struggle to get out to Hildegard’s café.  The Alpine Quartet was all there with very professional photos of snow, views and enormous hilly climbs (up to c 2900m!).  Dave M was in recovery mode after his tunnel experience, so the rest of us (Martin, Liz and Dave P, George, Dave H, Ray and I) set off for a 55 mile ride which curiously no one really asked about as I led them out towards Tilston along the main road.

The Secret Nuclear Bunker

“Road Closed” greeted us at the Cock o’ Barton and this was to be a feature three more times. Ignoring the sign, we find it is the annual road patch-up season.  The route takes us through Duckington to the Cholmondeley Arms. Here Martin has had enough for the day and turns back. The same happens with the tandem at Sound as the remaining four cycle towards Nantwich bound for the Coach and Horses at Bradfield Green. On the way we briefly visit the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Hack Green that has a large café – so perhaps an afternoon tea stop on another ride. Several new Bentleys pass us on their way back to the Crewe works and, at nearly 30 miles, Leighton Hospital passes us by and the Coach and Horses is a welcome site.
The reception is very friendly and the food comes quickly and all are replete. I offer afternoon repast at Tilley’s so it is an easy run back into Bunbury via Bird Lane. The heavens open as we sup our drinks (no cakes though).  We wait a few minutes until it clears and make out way back towards the Ice Cream Farm.  Here, George and Dave H make their way back via Tattenhall to Farndon whilst Ray and I wend our way back to Chester with 70 miles on the clock. Apparently there was downpour in Chester whilst we had just a few spots of rain so my rain-avoidance skill/luck still holds.

CA