13th October 2022 : Sandbach (brisk)

Today’s club ride from Hawarden was not favourable for some of the brisk riders who were out on their bikes today due to upcoming cycle events and preferred not to ride Welsh hills today and 4000 metres again on Saturday plus 200k distance So, an alternative ride was proposed and John W, Nick and I met up at the ICF for a 60+ flat ride to my hometown of Sandbach.

Weather forecast for today was a good dry day and leaving Tattenhall it was chilly but promising. Departing from Bunbury the conditions changed, and we were riding in thick mist/fog conditions until arriving at Bradfield Green on the outskirts of Crewe. Our journey from here to Sandbach was the usual roads via Warmingham and Elworth and into Sandbach along Middlewhich Rd. 

Thursday was a very busy day in the town once upon a time holding one of the biggest town markets in the north, but now it consists of just a few stalls spread out along the high street that we passed by our lunch stop at The George – another hot Wetherspoons.

Our lunch finished were back out into the sunshine and heading along Crewe Rd towards Wheelock. The roads are pleasantly dry and reasonably clean and the rural lanes we took from Wheelock to Maw Green were excellent. I had no mudguards on my bike as on leaving home before reaching the end of my road I had a flat, so returned home and switched bikes rather than tube changing. My back was still clean as evidence of good riding conditions, and long may this last but I don’t expect too many of these days until next spring.

Through Crewe and riding the cycle way to Nantwich and heading to Acton turning by the Church and on to Burland and Long Lane into Banbury. We continue to Tattenhall where Nick leaves us and John and I ride out via Gatesheath crossing the A41 to Bruera and Saighton and Waverton.

We’ve ridden an enjoyable 67/75 miles from home with good humour and no incidents. The foggy conditions is a reminder to make sure we now ride with lights as you just never know what greets us on our rides. Mudguard’s may also be of use!!!

See route map and/or gpx file download

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14th December 2017: Christmas Special Ride to Christleton (mod)

A pleasant enough day for December saw 8 riders heading off from The Gallery at Hawarden bound for the CER Christmas lunch.  While Dave H had ably organised again all the arrangements for the meal.... and thank you for doing that so well......Trevor had a circular route avoiding entirely the city of Chester.  Dave H, Trevor, Chris, Mike, Jim, Keith, Steve T and me initially went SW to give us a good 2+ hour ride to the lunch; our route was Burton, Rossett, Holt, Aldford and then NE up the only incline of note on the day at Saighton College and thence to Waverton and Christleton.

Photos by Macca

We were joined by 10 other members at The Ring o Bells for an excellent lunch but only 3 seasonal hats and one Christmas jumper were in evidence – more effort needed next year says Santa.  A couple of hours later, well replenished, it saw us departing before more snow and ice came in.  Back at Hawarden I had 63 kms on the clock in the dark.

A very special thanks must surely go here to Bryan Wade for all he has done for chestereasyriders, not only over the last 12 months but for the last 9 years since he founded the club.  We all hope the next 12 months bring him and Erla good health and happiness, wherever they are. 

Macca

1st January 2011: Carden Arms, Tilston

Some half a dozen CER members met up with the Chester section of the C&NWCTC for the annual ride to the Carden Arms.  Somewhat unusually Martin decided on the short route, normally reserved for poor weather, this year.  Consequently the group was the first to arrive at the Carden Arms well before noon.  Before long the other groups appeared including those travelling by car (Bryan and Erla included).
This annual pilgrimage provides a great opportunity to meet up with friends in other groups and is always a good way to start the New Year.
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1st January 2010: Carden Arms, Tilston

New Years Day and the temperature outside is minus 2º C. I decide to use the main roads to get to Christleton Pond and breathe a sigh of relief that the gritters have already been out. Two riders are already at the pond when I arrive and before long there are nine of us: not bad for such a cold day!
Today Chester Easy Riders are joining Chester CTC on a joint ride to the Carden Arms where the local CTC groups have one of their New Year Day meets. Martin leads off through Waverton in cold and dry conditions but by the time we are passing Greenlooms it has started to snow. This is a cross between snow and hail and I’m not alone in hoping that it won’t last for long.  My wishes are met, the snow stops and we continue on dry roads towards Tattenhall only to find that the snow has already settled here. Martin wisely decides to give Bolesworth and Brown Knowl a miss this year and chooses the direct route through Clutton and Lower Carden.

Photographs by Glennys Hammond

Riding on the newly fallen snow is a real pleasure but the compacted car tyre tracks are already icy and could be worse by the afternoon.  The group becomes spread out so we stop to regroup just before Clutton and those of us with slick tyres find spinning rear wheels make it difficult to get started again on the slight incline. Once moving again everything is fine and we make good progress passing several cars at the side of the road with spinning wheels.
We arrive at the Carden Arms safely, if a little cold, to find a good number of other groups already there. After queuing to order food there was time to greet and chat with colleagues from across the region. What a great way to start the New Year.

Unfortunately it was soon time to leave with the return journey made carefully on the lanes via Stretton, Barton, Coddington, Churton and Aldford. At Saighton the group split into two with some turning off towards Chester while the others headed back towards Christleton.
Distance from Chester and back a cold but enjoyable 33 miles.
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Follow this link for more photographs.

1st January 2009: Carden Arms Tilston, Chester CTC New Year’s Day meet.

Photographs by Glennys Hammond

Having been out earlier in the week I had already decided that extra layers of clothing would be needed today; and so it proved to be with temperatures staying below freezing. Eight riders braved the cold to turn up at Christleton Pond; a combination of a depleted Chester Section and Chester Easy Riders. Despite reduced numbers the group enjoyed a relaxed start to the New Year along frosty lanes passing the Ice Cream Farm before skirting Harthill by way of Bolesworth and Brown Knowl. From here it was downhill to Duckington and the turn-off to Tilston. A good number of cyclists had already gathered when we arrived, although judging by their attire a significant proportion had come by car this year. Although total numbers were down from last year Harry counted just over 40 present: not a bad turnout for such an unpromising start to the year. After a leisurely lunch and chat with those present it was time for a more direct route back via Lower Carden and Tattenhall with a tea stop in Waverton courtesy of John and Eunice.
Distance from Chester and back 37 miles.
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