21st March 2019: Calverhall (brisk)

Meeting up at the ICF, there was a reasonable turnout of riders and today I was showing my legs for the second time this year!!

I had a ride to The Old Jacke in Calverhall, so Nick, John W and myself set off via Beeston and Bunbury, then opted to ride along Long Lane crossing the A534 and on to Ravensmoor. This route is preferable than venturing down Cappers Lane as there are a couple of farms that enjoy making very dirty (muddy) roads.

From Ravensmoor we head towards Wrenbury and Aston passing the Bhurtpore Inn. At the crossroad we continue onwards and enjoy quiet lanes and a very brisk pace to our lunch stop at Calverhall covering 27 miles in 86 minutes! We would have arrived before opening time but I suggested we slow to 18mph and use it as a slow/cool down 3 miles out.

After lunch, we continue in the same tradition of BRISK and are again whizzing along some lovely lanes until we approach Prees where we have a halt as Nick has broken his Carbon water bottle holder. No problem as the bottle fitted in his shirt pocket, and the holder was correctly discarded in a local’s grey bin and off we go again.

Now where do we go!

Through Prees it is up the bank along Steel Road to Tilstock passing over the Shropshire Union Canal and just before the bridge was raised, then Malpas where you join all the new traffic and on to Carden where we say farewell to Nick but not before enjoying a pint in the Carden Arms. The duo continues en-route back to Tattenhall but gladly at a more sedate pace. The ride was 56 miles back to ICF.

We didn’t call in at the ICF but headed home to Chester with John pushing and maintaining an average mph of 18+ over 74 miles. I was really happy to get home today. A good spring sunshine ride day with little wind and no incidents.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ID

Photo ID

1st November 2018 : Calverhall (brisk)

Despite the early showers, there were plenty of riders at the Ice Cream Farm but only 3 briskers. I had proposed a ride to Market Drayton but readily agreed to Clive’s amendments so as to make the Olde Jack pub in Calverhall our lunch destination. With John W making up the party, we headed off in the direction of Beeston, Bunbury and Alpraham. Clive was setting a good pace and we were soon sprinting along the short stretch of the A51 before turning off at Barbridge. Then after looping around the lanes, we cross the A51 and begin our approach to Nantwich. The route takes us through the west side of the town and through the park near the River Weaver. It was all very pleasant as we meandered along the shared pathway but suddenly Clive parted company with his bike and was flat on his back. Thankfully, he was back to his feet very quickly saying that all was well with him and his bike. We think his wheel skidded on the metal grating that runs for several metres alongside the path as it passes close to the river and under a bridge. 

Relieved that no damage had  been done, we leave Nantwich via the A530 but soon turn on to Coole Lane to coast along pretty lanes towards Audlem and without further incident to Calverhall. We enjoyed a warm welcome at the Olde Jack and were soon served our selection of baguettes and sandwiches. Conversation included the various apps available for route mapping and also Brexit. Unsurprisingly we were unable to come up with a solution to the question of the Northern Ireland backstop! 

Returning to the simpler question of getting home, we jumped on our bikes heading in a northerly direction. Keeping up a good pace we passed through Aston, Wrenbury, Cholmondeley and Bickerton. It was a bit of a grind up Harthill and we paused at the top to admire the view which on such a clear day included Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in the distance. We then raced downhill and up again before sprinting on to Tattenhall. Foregoing afternoon coffee at the Ice Cream Farm, we made our way home. A good run out in decent weather for November. Long may it last! 

The route to and from the Ice Cream Farm is about 55 miles but the three of us completed about 80 miles each (averaging 16 mph) including the return trip from home.

See route map and/or gpx file download

JM

9th November 2017: Calverhall (brisk)

Fifteen CER members gathered at Cleopatra’s on an overcast, blustery day. Too many people for a single ride, in spite of the fact that Dave M and Macca would not be joining us for a ride today. So, after some discussion it was agreed that there would be a brisk (ish) ride for John M, Andy B, Nick, Clive and yours truly. But where to go? John M had a route to Maesbury and both Audlem and St Martins were mentioned, but by the time we were leaving, no decision had been made. The weather had turned for the worse whilst we were having coffee, with fine drizzle coming down – so much for the Met Office forecast! Finally, it was decided that we should go to Audlem and Clive led off along Wrexham Road. But Andy was nowhere to be seen! After some hesitation we decided that he must have gone with the moderates and we pressed on, taking Francis Lane down to the A534 via the muddy track and turning east on the main road. As we turned off on the B5130 towards Shocklach, Andy B appeared right behind us! He’d set off with the ‘mods’ thinking it was the brisk ride. Keith B put him right as they crested the hill out of Farndon, so Andy figured that the ‘briskers’ must have headed out this way and he’d legged it down to the junction to catch up with us. Sherlock Holmes would have been proud of him!

The route took us via Tilston, Bickerton and Cholmondeley, across the A49 and into Wrenbury and Aston. Due to the drizzle, the roads were greasy and in many places muddy, where the local farmers had been dragging the muck from their farmyards and fields into the road. Somewhere along here (I’m not sure where!) we came across a ‘Road Closed’ sign which, of course we ignored. As usual the ‘hazard’- a small but deep hole which was being examined by several workmen- was passable on a bike. In order to pass the hole, we had to ride between some narrowly-spaced traffic cones, which we all managed to do without either falling off or knocking one over. Cycling on passed the Bhurtpore Inn, we eventually reached Wilkesley, where a turn to the left would have taken us to Audlem. But Clive felt that, given the wind direction and the fact we hadn't done that many miles, we’d be better going in the other direction. The options were Market Drayton (7 miles) or The Olde Jack Inn at Calverhall (direct 4 miles or 7 miles). The latter got the vote, since it was after 12:00 and ‘lunch time’ according to Andy.

Oh dear!

We were soon seated in the comfortable surroundings of the pub with a drink and food to replenish our energy stocks. The conversation ranged from a discussion of the merits of lead-acid, lithium-ion and sodium-sulphur batteries, how the toll fee system on the new Runcorn/Widnes bridge works (or might not) and how distracting touch screens are in cars compared to the simple switches we used to have years ago.

By the time we left the pub, the drizzle had stopped and we headed northwest from Calverhall, but now into the wind. The route took us through Ightfield, Ash Parva and across the A49 at Prees Heath. The A49 here is a dual carriageway and Clive negotiated it by cycling a short distance against the traffic on both sides of the crash barrier. The rest of us took a more conservative approach, walking the bikes across. We continued on through Tilstock, crossing the Shropshire Union Canal at Brickwalls. Climbing Fenn’s Bank, we crossed the A495 and A525 to reach Whitewell. From there we threaded our way through the lanes to Drury Lane before turning down an unmade road/track to Dymock's Mill, which lies at the bottom of a steep, but narrow Wych valley. Here, a lady warned us that there was a lorry on the road at the other side of the valley which was trying to reverse up the steep  hill. It had come down, ignoring two signs that the road is unsuitable for HGVs (see Clive’s photos) and was unable to turn round at the bottom, so he was reversing up the narrow lane. 

If only the driver had noticed the notice!

If only there was some traction!

We waited for a while to see if the road would clear, but eventually we pressed on. The lorry was sliding about on the mud and going nowhere. We walked the bikes passed it, through the smell of burning rubber and clutch and up to the top of the hill at the other side (this is where the photos were taken). I suspect the lorry is still there, unless they got a very large tractor to pull him up the hill.

Getting back in the saddle, we headed for Cuddington Green, Shocklach (where Nick peeled off for home) and the usual thrash back to Farndon where John M headed home. We’d passed Liz and Dave P on the tandem at Shocklach and they told us that the ‘mods’ were going to Lewis’s in Farndon for tea and cakes, but when we arrived, they were nowhere to be seen. When I finally caught up with Keith and Dave H in the car park in Holt, it turned out that some of the mods had not heard this and they’d all gone back to Cleopatra’s.

In any event, we had an excellent ride of 51 miles at an average of 15 mph in fairly reasonable weather and very convivial company. Thanks go to Clive for leading with much appreciated local input from Nick.

ST

2nd February 2017: Calverhall (brisk)

There were a surprisingly high number of riders out at the Ice Cream Farm considering the weather forecast for the day. High winds and rain were forecasted coming straight from the south. We split into two sizeable groups and the Brisk group today were Ray, John M, Paul R, Ken, Andy B, Dave P and myself. I had researched some old rides to south of Whitchurch and the Olde Jack pub in Calverhall. The Moderates had a similar idea of going directly south to Whitchurch to enjoy the wind on their backs for the return.

We set off bound for the road that borders Bolesworth Castle but a wrong turn took us up and around Burwardsley Hill before turning back towards Tattenhall down the Harthill road. Up to the top at Brown Knowl, we had now topped most of the local hills on the way out. Just after Hampton Post, we stop briefly and I'm surprised to find Dave P with us today. Given that he had arrived at ICF just as we were leaving, I had just assumed he was Moderating today.

My riding strategy was to find lanes that were protected by high hedges or cut deep down, and to minimise direct southerly lanes as the wind was pretty strong all the way to lunch. We bimble through No Mans Heath taking the old A41 road. Crossing it at Birch Pits, we cut across it again going west to Bradley Green. We are now on the Malpas to Grindley Brook B road and Dave P decides to head directly for the pub. After only a few minutes, we turn westwards again and down to Higher Wych. Here, in the hollow, we tack eastwards via Agden to get back onto the Malpas road again.

After Grindley Brook, we're into Whitchurch seeking out the Alkington Road and back into the southerly wind. A tiny lane left takes us to Tilstock. Here, I decide that, as with most of the planned route, I'll ignore the gpx track and head south to Steel Heath. We tack eastwards here, then south a bit down the A49, then eastwards again through Prees Higher Heath, through Millenheath and thence the turreted Calverhall church tower comes into view at 30 miles up.

The Olde Jack is open, although quiet, and no Dave P. Just as we have finished ordering Dave arrives ready for refuelling. The food seems to take an age to come despite only one other table. The barman admits they are short-staffed, but when the food comes it was worth the wait. I decide to ignore most of the planned route back and factor in as many N-S lanes as possible. So leaving with the wind behind us, we turn right in Ightfield bound for Burley Dam. This lane is a pleasure to ride and as with many lanes on the way back, they are long and wind-assisted.

We are soon in Aston, rounding Wrenbury, through Ravensmoor and briefly turn west through Burland. Northwestwards now, we motor through Haughton and into Bunbury. Dave P espies the Moderates in Tilley's, so he drops off as the rest of us head the familiar way back towards Chester.

I haven't mentioned the rain - well there was hardly any really. There was even some sunshine before lunch, and although heavy clouds in the afternoon threatened us, we all got home dry but with very dirty bikes nonetheless. So a 56 miler from the ICF today, but nearly 80 miles from Chester.

Finally my thanks to a few of the lads, notably Ken, for shielding me from the worst of the wind today.

CA

25th June 2015: Calverhall (brisk)

I wanted a “recovery” ride after Ivan’s fast 100 miler to Macclesfield at 16.3 mph on Tuesday. Ray was back from Spain and, after 10,000+ metres of climbing the Spanish hills in 30˚+C heat; he also wanted a recovery ride. So with John and Tom we set off out via Eccleston bound for the Old Jack at Calverhall.
A left in Rossett takes out to Holt and on, via Wetreins Lane, to Tilston. Grange Lane takes us back to the A41 that we cross back and forth via No Mans Heath. Onwards through Bradley to Oldhall Street to a run down to Grindley Brook. A saunter along the canal then takes us into Whitchurch town. Out on the Alkington road, we veer off to Prees then Prees Higher Heath. Taking Prees Road, we edge up to Calverhall at 39 miles, but not before my front wheel slowly deflates to spoil the otherwise idyllic cycle through lane after lane.
The Old Jack has never disappointed and we all opt for the generous plate of Steak and Onion baguette. The return is replotted since there were issues*** with the inner tube that I used to repair the front flat and it was a bit under-inflated. So a right in Ightfield takes up a truly delightful run to Burleydam via the Combermere Arms to Aston. I opt to go back via Marbury, Bickley, and Bickerton to get to the Ice Cream Farm for 16:00. Suitably refreshed we roll back into Chester via Saighton where I pick up a nasty sting in my neck, and Tom's front wheel has a slight buckle. Hopefully that's the end of issues for the day. A 75 miler through the cream of Cheshire and Shropshire lanes; you’ll not find better!

CA

*** There were two problems with Yak inner tubes. After Tom’s tyre blow out on Tuesday, he fitted one of my Yak tubes. In Winsford, 30 mins later, he replaces the worn tyre with new one at Cyclone bike shop. They then had to replace the Yak tube since the valve fell apart on reflation. On the ride above, upon reflation of my slow, I couldn’t unscrew the pump flexible tube from the valve stem. I had to snap the valve stem and the broken part of the valve stem remained inside my Topeak Race flexible pump connector making it unusable; yet the tube valve held for the 40 miles home. I phoned Merlin Cycles who immediately credited me for the 5 that I had bought, and not wanting me to return the unused ones. I then ordered some Contis from them. Good customer service from Merlin Cycles. PS: I managed to get the valve bits out of my pump head when I got home as well so it is useable again.

19th December 2013: Calverhall

Having seen the day’s weather forecast for snow and rain over Llangollen way, I hastily cobbled together a replacement 45 miler from Hildegard’s café to the standby lunch venue of the Old Jack at Calverhall. The two Pauls, Brian, Stephen and myself would be the cabal today. The Donaldsons were only taking coffee with us and then off "house rental" hunting having just “bought” a new house (i.e. the plot thereof) in Parkgate. So off we go hoping it won’t rain today; and soon we see the rain clouds over the hills to the west as we ride Shocklach bound, turning off at The Purser to cut down to Threapwood. 

There is evidence of a lot of water in the fields and roads after the overnight downpours. We take the oddly named “The Ln” out towards Whitewell, and then on to Fenn Bank to locate the NC45. The lanes are muddier now, helped along by tractors coming off fields and the overnight deluge. At Prees, we climb out under the A49 and over the A41 and then the long lane to Calverhall village.

The pub’s is open and we are soon organising our own table under an enormous stag’s head. Disappointingly, my pint of Stonehouse bitter is truly “off” and is promptly replaced with Shropshire Gold. The luncheon fare comes promptly, and as ever, it is plentiful and of good quality. As we start to leave, the rain arrives and it feels colder. The return ride is straightforward i.e. through Whitchurch, Malpas and Tilston. However as we enter Whitchurch, Brian has a front wheel puncture on his new tyres (last week it was the rear wheel). It had to happen to one of us given the amount of hedge cutting we have seen today. Soon along the Malpas road, we take a left down to Higher Wych to get off the main drag to Malpas. Thankfully, the rest of the ride is uneventful, and the rain thankfully stops. We all take a hot drink at Hildegard’s and, around 16:00, go our separate ways home where I notice it is 3ºC! For me this is the last ride of 2013, and as ever the mix of good company and the Cheshire countryside is an unbeatable combination even in the dark and cold days of winter.

CA

24th January 2013: Calverhall

Would the lanes be rideable? That was the question on my mind as we sat at the Ice Cream Farm. Ivan had helpfully brought some samples of the proposed team garments and we "oohed and aarhed" just like a ladies lingerie party. Trevor and Dave M were in four-wheel mode, and Dave H and Jim were in "Jim recovery mode"; so Roy, Ray, Ivan, Paul, Martin and myself plus the tandem duo set off on time bound for the Old Jack in Calverhall. As we rode towards Beeston Castle through the snow covered fields, I wondered what it would have been like to be on sentry duty 350ft up on a raw day back in the 1220's when the castle had been built. No performance fabrics in their medieval attire - just woollen cloth and skins. At Peckforton, the tandem sanctions the pack to ride ahead and "we will meet up later on". So we dodged our way down a rutted Stone House Lane turning left towards Spurstow. Here the first diversion from the planned route was executed having seen the icy state of the side lane. So through Bunbury and towards Faddiley via Capper's Lane. I suddenly realised that something was different - it had gone deathly quiet. Everyone was concentrating on keeping on one of the black strips down the lane and avoiding the numerous cavernous potholes with ice to the right and left. Dodging right down Brindley Hall Road, we hit the dry A534 and take a left and right towards Swanley. Here the transfer lanes are even worse! Edging towards Ravensmoor, we motor on dry roads towards Wrenbury Station and slide past the Bhurtpore pub. Across the A530, we head south bound for Ightfield via Burley Dam. The outskirts of Ightfield are quite bad and we walk for some distance, but the turn left to Calverhall is dry. As we arrive at 12:30, a text from the tandem indicates that are safely tucked up in the Farmers Arms at Ravensmoor.

There is always a warm welcome at the Old Jack and there's a real fire as well as a good selection of beers. We all order and in dribs and drabs the hot meals arrive - some of the best chips as well! We chat about the cheery Danish crime and US terrorist TV programs as well as the specification of Ivan's new bike (with a triple no less). The return journey is re-planned given that going back via Wirswall and Marbury might be a bit ambitious. So it’s straight down the road to Whitchurch and then the B road to Malpas. Here the clouds part and a watery sun appears and stays with us all the way back to the Ice Cream farm via Duckington and Brown Knowle. We all take a hot drink and, as Martin heads back to his car, he notices that the tandem duo haven't returned as yet since their car is still in the car park. Roy zooms off bound for Runcorn and will have cycled nearly 90 miles today - well he is half of most of our ages! The circular route is around 46 miles but those from Chester will have chalked up nearly 70 miles in the balmy 1˚ C weather.

Well, the ride was thankfully incident free, and we were lucky that the tiny lanes were passable with care.

CA

5th April 2012: Calverhall (mod)

The moderate group consisting of myself, Dave H, Dave & Liz P on the tandem, Liz D, Andy, Mike M, and Trevor set off for The Old Jack at Calverhall (about 50 miles return) taking the familiar route through Tattenhall, Clutton, Tilston, Threapwood and Tallarn Green before crossing the A525 at Three Fingers.  Navigation round the west of Whitchurch necessitated lots of map stops but we soon found the signs for Tilstock and then Ightfield to Calverhall.  A steady 27 miles but our hearts sank when we saw the sign outside the pub "closed 'til Good Friday for re-furbishment".  Our only choice was to retreat into Whitchurch to the happy landlady, and she wouldn't serve us the last time we went there as we were late, or was it going to be the butty van on the industrial estate?

No, saved again as the landlady of The Old Jack came out and offered to feed us as the dining room was not affected - relief all round!!

The food was good, though it did take a little longer than we had hoped, understandably when seeing the state of the bar area.  However, suitably refreshed and with the sun peering feebly at Dave H's exposed knees we set off for the shorter return leg.  23 miles via Wirswall, Cholmondley and Harthill got us back to the Ice Cream Farm just in time for a take-away cup of tea as all the cake had gone back into the store.

A surprisingly accurate 50.1 miles or nearly 70 for those from Chester.

JD

23rd September 2010: Calverhall

A rainy day is in prospect as the seven of us (Dave M, Brian Mac, Trevor, Andy, Dave H, Ray S and Clive) set out from Rose Farm.  We are heading for Calverhall but this is a tale of two shortcuts and three pubs.  The original plan was to head south of Whitchurch for the “Horseshoes” at Tilstock with the “White Lion” at Ash Magna as backup.  Both however shut at lunchtimes - but the landlady at the “White Lion” said try the “Olde Jack” at Calverhall – so Calverhall it was.  The route took us through and out of Tarporley emerging briefly on the busy A51 at Tilston Fearnall, which led us swiftly into Bunbury.  Sliding round the back of Bunbury, we were soon into sunshine spinning down Brindley Lee Lane to Faddiley.  A right over the canal at Swanley found us seeking the first shortcut at Wrenbury Heath to cut round the back of Wrenbury Station.  Woodcotthill Lane firmly stated it was a “no through road”, and it is this time of year since the road deteriorated to a very rough muddy track.  Retracing our route we headed off to Aston passing a house with what looked like a very large T-Rex head emerging out of the front wall.  Across the Whitchurch Road, we headed down the lanes for Burleydam and Ightfield and at last, the “Olde Jack” just down the road at Calverhall.  Arriving just after 13.00, we found the car park virtually full and the pub full of people in black apparel.  There was a funeral wake on, and everybody was having lunch in the restaurant.  Service was understandably a little slow, but the comestibles were judged to be good quality, with lime and soda at £1.00/pint and an “all-smile” service.
A brief shower of rain had fallen over lunch as we left for Prees Heath. However soon after, it poured for five minutes as we crossed the busy A41 on our way to Alkington.  The route home was planned as a gentle arc via Painters Green and Threapwood and Chorlton.  Dymock’s Mill beckoned as the second shortcut.  The wide track down was not encouraging, but over the stream at the bottom, a smooth tarmac road took us sharply up and out of the wooded valley thus enabling us to shortcut Threapwood.  Although the obvious way back was via Tilston, I liked the sound of Kidnal and Edge Green and the route was picturesquely rewarding as we passed Overton Scar.  Somewhere along here a suicide-bent squirrel tried to take out the leading pair of cyclist and itself – luckily it failed.  Crossing the A41 at Duckington, we steadily climbed the shoulder of the Bickerton Hills; down Hall Lane and across into Bolesworth Hill Road.  The vantage point gave a panorama of heavy rainclouds approaching across the Cheshire Plain: time for jackets to be put on.  Down past the Trout Farm, the rain lashed down as Trevor, Brian, Dave H and Andy split off going via Beeston back to Rose Farm.  The remaining three of us headed off back to Chester.
The circular route was 61 miles from Rose Farm with a surprising 500m of cumulative ascent. Well-done Trevor!  The weather was much better than forecasted (only about 30 mins of rain), the third choice pub was a first choice pub, and a couple of (new for the group riding) shortcuts were investigated.  Arriving back in Chester, where it had bucketed down during the day, I had clocked 83 miles and had experienced yet another classic CER ride.
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CA