5th October 2017: Grindley Brook (mod)

The strong winds were always going to be a factor today so Jim and I shouldn’t have been surprised after setting off for leisurely ride to the Ice Cream Farm when we arrived 10 minutes early. Eight members turned up and Clive suggested a ride to Welshampton. Dave H and I decided that we could control the pace from the back and Dave P was going to get as far as he could, being still in recovery mode following his heart surgery.

At the last moment Dave H misplaced his car keys so Clive led off with 3 brisk riders, Dave P and me in tow. It soon became apparent that the brisk riders were going to be too brisk so after catching up with them for the second time at the back of Bolesworth castle Dave and I decided to let them go and do our own ride. Our initial idea was to head down to the Wheatsheaf at No Man’s Heath and if that was closed carry on to Malpas. So as the brisk riders disappeared into the distance we carried on to Brown Knowl and down the old coach road.

As we approached No Man’s Heath it was clear that we were far too early for lunch and Dave suggested carrying on to Whitchurch. So we zig-zagged across the A41 several times as we made our way south, eventually reaching Grindley Brook. Rather than carry on into Whitchurch we decided to lunch there and received a warm welcome and good food at the Horse & Jockey.

After lunch we were heading home into the wind so the shortest route possible seemed the best idea. We rode up towards Malpas then on to Tilston, Barton, Coddington and Churton before turning right at Aldford towards Saighton. At Saighton Dave turned left towards the city and home and I turned right towards Waverton and home. 48 miles completed and probably about the same for Dave, a new personal best as he continues to recover from his operation. Well done Dave.

TC

14th November 2013: Grindley Brook (mod)

Following a damp, gusty ride to the Ice Cream Farm the four of us, Bryan, Dave H, Clive and Jim, were not very enthused by Ivan’s suggestion of a speedy 52 mile thrash to the environs of the Potteries, preferring instead a more sedate trot of about 35 miles to Grindley Brook, just north of Whitchurch.
I had chosen a route sweeping to the west of Malpas, through the Wyches to the Horse and Jockey on the A41 at Grindley Brook.  With strong winds forecast for the afternoon, I had planned a shorter ride for the return north through Cholmondely and Brown Knowl: only about 15 miles but far enough in a strong head wind.
As things transpired, the morning threw a few heavyish showers at us but we arrived at the pub reasonably dry. The wind did pick up after lunch but for the most part we were well protected by the hedges.
We returned to the ICF just after 15:00, where Bryan opted for a short re-fuelling stop. Clive, Dave and Jim kept going and just about got back to base before it went dark.
A heartening 55 miles - good going for a cold wet windy day that just shows it's generally worth making the effort.

JD