20th June 2019: Special long ride to Stone (brisk & mod)

Brisk Ride

The skies were ominously dark as we all set off from Waverton at 0800. There was a brisk ride led by yours truly, and a moderate ride led by Steve H. However, as there was no rush to get to Cafe Bon Sol in Whitchurch, we all set off together towards Tattenhall. It became clear at the back road to Bolesworth Castle that we should formally split up. The Brisk Group consisted of Ivan, Ray, Ken, Steve T, Nick, and myself. Mike G decided to joins us as well just as John W appeared (he had not turned up at the start due to bike issues). So up and over the various hills with very black skies, we duck and dive our way to Bon Sol just before the rain starts. The cafe had opened up a little early to accommodate us and bacon baps were very much in evidence. 

As we are ready to leave, the Mods arrive ready for their protein top up. Mike G decides to swap teams as we head out to Ightfield and on to Market Drayton. Nick gets a rear wheel puncture as it starts to rain, but tyre fixed, we seem to outrun the rain. There is then a long run down quiet lanes to Eccleshall. Out through pretty Eccleshall, it is now a long loop north passing HMP YOI Drake and Swynnerton Training camp (a WW2 former munition factory, now Army training camp) via Cold Meece and Yarnfield (where we have ridden to in April 2016). It’s really downhill now into the suburbs of Stone at 51 miles, 1230 and The Poste, a Wetherspoons pub. 

As ever Wetherspoons doesn’t disappoint and we are soon fed and watered and preparing to leave as the Mods arrive. The weather hasn’t warmed up and rain threatens as Ivan leads us onto Barlaston and the start of 12 miles of canal side riding. Both Ivan and I notice that there has been a lot of housing and offices built where derelict factories once were. We had both been on the June 2011 Long Ride to Stone (with Mike G) and really noticed the difference. We pose for a few photos along the way, ending up at the Harecastle Tunnels - one now working, the other closed but both 1.5 miles long.

Photos by Nick and Ken

It's a long pull up to the busy A34 roundabout at Talke, at 669 ft the highest point of the ride surprisingly. Downhill into Alsager, we are soon out and crossing the railway at Oakhanger, eschewing the White Lion at Barthomley, on our way into Nantwich. An unconventional approach via St Mary’s churchyard finds us at Costa Coffee ready at 81 miles for a top up. We are all ready for the final familiar leg of 21 miles back to Waverton. Steve T, who threatened to jump ship at lunch, is still riding confidently as 101 miles comes up at nearly 1800. Surprisingly, there were 4500 ft of climbs! The Mods are 90 minutes behind us and just leaving Nantwich, and, as Steve has Dave H’s car keys, he joins Ken, Ivan and me for a pint in the Ring o Bells in Christleton. 

So a great day out, and my thanks to an enthusiastic riding group who took turns on the front right to the end. We managed to dodge heavy showers (as had been in Chester apparently) and only picked up a little rain - it could have been warmer, but hey almost the Summer solstice so why would we expect it to be sunny and warm!

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Mod Ride

The mods rode the same ride as described above, so I add here only a few incidents that demonstrate the slick professionalism of our mod outings. Both groups were to cycle as one to the first stop at Whitchurch.  Unfortunately heading up to Brown Knowl, Dave H's front mech slipped sideways and necessitated a quick fix, but delayed 5 of us arriving at the cafe.

The rest of the morning was uneventful and we enjoyed the lanes to our lunch stop.  There was good value fare at Wetherspoons and after we took the long canalside ride, though I think we joined it a little earlier than the prescribed route. 

Photos by Mike G

Everything was uneventful until we left the cafe in Nantwich. But somewhere before Swanley bridge, Mike at the front and me as the last man lost touch with Keith, George and Dave. After waiting and some phone calls, Mike, Andy and I continued on the planned route, eventually arriving at our start point to find the rest of our group already there.  They had taken the more direct A41 for part of their return.

I think we all enjoyed the diversity of the route, the well-planned stops and our luck with the weather.  Many thanks to Clive for his planning and organisation.

SH

10th August 2017: Special Long Ride to Longden on Tern (mod)

A text from Our Beloved Leader at 0645 advised that he has touch of “Olympicitis” and wouldn’t be straying far from the smallest room, so would Steve T and I pick up the reins. We were all present and correct at 0750 in the Waverton carpark. The Two Johns would now lead out the Brisk group and meet us Moderates in Sainsbury’s Whitchurch cafe. So the Moderate peloton was Steve T, Keith, Dave H, George, Trevor, Mike G and myself. Jim was along for the ride to the cafe stop, and thence returning via the chippy in Waverton! The ride down country was unremarkable taking in Churton, Barton, Tilston, Chorlton, Malpas, Higher Wych and the enigmatic Agen. We arrived in Whitchurch at 1000 after 24 miles. The Briskers were just leaving!

Suitably refreshed with energy tanks refilled, we set off via a planned deviation to the published route. This brought us out in Ash Magna via Edgeley but back on route to Calverhall. There is then the long 4m lane to Market Drayton. Sliding through dubious architecture, we end up crossing the River Tern. The Tern rises near Baldwin’s Gate and flows into the Severn via the NT's Attingham Park near Wroxeter Roman City. The Tern Valley will feature on this next leg to Longdon on Tern.

Sutton Lane out of Market Drayton, skirts the curiously named Salisbury Hill and passes the Sutton upon Tern golf club. I espy a sign to Colehurst Manor (17C) and tempted by a narrow lane diversion, we ride lanes anew. Crossing the A41, we now run on an unauthorised routing yet parallel to the planned route joining up in Ollerton. Through Eaton upon Turn we cross the River Meese in the Tern valley at Great Bolas and slog up the incline, before running down to the “Tayleur Arms” at 1300 and 52 miles ridden. It was last October we were here, although this is  a “new” pub after the original one burnt down. A group of us first went here on a very wet ride in Nov 2011. There are some very interesting historical facts about the Tayleur on its website; it has links to Warrington Bank Quay. See http://www.tayleurarms.co.uk/history.html 

Photos by Mike G

The Briskers are just finishing their lunch as we order up. As we sit down they are getting ready to leave! Our meals come pretty quickly as we chat about the usual subjects. My iPhone needs a recharge but refuses to do so from my charger, so Trevor’s charger gives my phone a much needed boost; as we all need from our repast. All too soon it is time to leave knowing that there are 53 miles left to tick off. So a gentle climb back up the hill and a dive left and right finds us in tiny lanes heading north towards Muckleton. At last the sun is out as it had been a little reticent throughout the morning. The weather was perfect in that it was not too hot with a gentle breeze and sunshine.

We now follow NCR45 towards Marchamley and The Hill! The uphill run through the dappled lane to the base of The Hill is delightful — but better in reverse. A popular re-routing around The Hill towards Hodnet is approved as we now head out of Hodnet for Wollerton. Through Prees, I deviate again to miss out a section of the B road and we are soon out through Tilstock. Approaching Whitchurch, we pass a curious bike — a three-wheeled tandem with electric motor drive and two happy elderly cyclists.

The “Cafe Bon Sol” is a welcome sight as we tuck in to cakes sitting outside European-style. However, I know there is 28 miles to go as we exit Whitchurch via NCR45 to Wrenbury. I’ve given up looking at the route as the biles know their way back to Waverton via Bunbury et al. It is now 1900 and 105 miles have been ridden and the sun is still out. Mike and Trevor take the canal route back to Chester as the rest of us pack our bikes into our cars and a welcome sit down on soft seats. So 11 hours from when we started out, we have cycled for 8 hours and rested for 3 hours — no accidents or incidents, excellent countryside and company, only so sorry that Steve H couldn’t enjoy it today and thank you for the route.

CA