1st September 2016: Hale (mod)

It was a very good turnout at Ness Gardens for Macca’s annual Mersey Meander, but where were the fast lads?  I’ve heard that riding the Wirral from Ness isn’t always the most popular day, but 1 or 2 of today’s riders could easily have coped with the fast group’s pace. .

A relatively lucky 13 ( Bryan, Dave H, Garnett, George, new John B, Jim, Mike G, Petar, Steve T, Tandem Pipes, Trevor et moi) set off to circumnavigate the Mersey Estuary – Bryan suffered one puncture, not bad considering we cycling a total of 800 odd miles on the day.  A good pace along The Greenway had us meeting the Mickle Traffford crew spot on 1130.  Onwards past Manley Mere, upwards past Alvanley Hill took us to Frodsham where Garnett’s greenhouse construction called him home. We were then guided safely through the usual impassable Runcorn jungle by Dave H.  As the tandem was slower negotiating the street furniture, I split the group at The Bridge to allow the faster riders to order their lunch sooner at “The Childe of Hale” (L24 4AX, 0151 425 2954).  The meal was average; would be interested to see if it makes Egon Steve’s list. 

The usual return route saw us pass through Speke and Garston to join the Mersey at Grassington.  Once on The Esplanade, the way is idiot-proof all the way to Pier Head.  At Dingle, as some were understandably anxious about my plans to foist 12 bikes on Merseyrail Underground in the rush-hour, 3 or 4 of us sped ahead to catch an earlier train under the river.  Mike and I were enjoying afternoon tea at Hamilton Square and were eventually only joined by Bryan for the simple 12 mile ride back to Ness.  Phone calls made elicited that some stayed at Pier Head to catch a later ferry, some trained all the way through to Chester and Liz caught a bus home (had they had a domestic??).  A sunny 60+ miles of urban and country riding was covered at 12.5 mph average.  Special thanks must go to Steve T for sticking to his back-marker duties, as 13 riders are a handful to count when leading. 

BM

7th May 2015: Mersey Meander

Eleven of us met up at Ness Gardens to be joined for the first time by Jane.  I have photographed everyone, so you can see who else was riding.  It was over 13 months since I last led this ride via the Ferry across the Mersey, but luckily I checked the previous night on the ship’s timetable.  We had an hour to cycle to the jetty, which I have easily done many times, but with so many riders, we only did it with minutes to spare.  Then the bombshell........... £5 each, when the underground train ticket is only £1.20. Hope you all enjoyed the cruise, as I’ll be catching the train next time.

Photographs by Brian MacDonald

A Team photo was taken outside The Cunard Building, where sadly the flags were flying at half-mast in memory of “The Luisitania”.  It was a Cunarder, torpedoed 100 years ago to the day with the loss of 1,198 souls.  On through Albert Dock, following the estuary to Otterspool, then onto Cressington, circumnavigating our way in and around Garston where we went off-road trying to find the elusive track to the hamlet of Oglet.  We were thwarted by a dirt path about 2kms short, where we had to go inland through the grounds of Speke Hall (I would recommend a visit to this NT property).  We passed through Speke and finally picked up the Trans Pennine Trail that took us on to our lunch stop at the ‘Childe of Hale’, L24 4AX, where we were suitably well served very quickly (Tel: 0151 425 5538).

After lunch we again followed the Trans Pennine Trail to Widnes where we met a Wirral CTC group doing the same ride in reverse.  At “The Bridge” Dave H pointed out the new Mersey Crossing further upstream and took over the navigation to make sure we didn’t end up still out there wandering the bus lanes of Halton.  He took us via Runcorn Hill, Weston Village then via various cycle routes and footways to the A56 and Route 5 to Frodsham.  We had a sunny café stop at the Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham before returning via Manley and splitting into groups: with Keith, Dave H and Trevor for Guilden Sutton; Bryan for central Chester and Martin, Lizzie, George, Jane & Brian Mac making for Ness.  Return to Ness Gardens was about 63 miles.  The slowish semi-urban ride at 12mph with multiple stops for ferries, traffic lights, coat changes, errant dogs etc made it feel like 83 miles

BMac

3rd April 2014: Mersey Meander

An overcast day partly helped by the Sahara dust as nine turned out at Ness Gardens for Brian Mac’s tour of the Mersey estuary. Besides Brian, there was Clive, Ivan, Steve, Tom, Dave H, Keith, Mike G and Jim. Dave M had been released for a short ride but was unable to come, as it was his wedding anniversary.
We set off just after 10:30 at a brisk pace for the Mersey Ferry passing through Neston, Raby and Thornton Hough (where the intricate skills of the stonemasons could be observed at the church entrance). Brimstage followed then onto Storeton dropping down to the Mersey estuary via Higher Bebbington and Prenton. We arrived at the Birkenhead Ferry having circumnavigated our way around Cammell Laird in time to catch the crossing and were joined by a large party of school children.
The crossing was uneventful and the views were greatly limited but sufficient to enable us to see the two ‘Liver Birds’ on top of the Cunard Building; the female we were advised was looking for the returning seafarers whilst the male was seeing whether the pubs were open.


Photographs by Brian Mac and Mike Gilbert

On through Albert Dock, following the estuary to Otterspool, then onto Cressington, circumnavigating our way in and around Garston before passing through Speke and finally picking up the Trans Pennine Trail that took us on to Hale for our lunch stop at the ‘Childe of Hale’ where we were suitably well served.
After lunch we again followed the Trans Pennine Trail to Widnes where we were able to experience the aroma from the Granox factory. Keith advised that Granox and Widnes have such a long history you know you are in Widnes because of the distinctive smell.
At the Runcorn Widnes Bridge Dave H took over the navigation to make sure we didn’t end up at the local hospital lost and wondering where we should go next. He took us via Runcorn Hill, Weston Village then via various cycle routes and footways to the A56 and Route 5 to Frodsham. We had a delightful café stop at the Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham before splitting into two groups; those
making for Ness and north of Chester (Clive, Ivan Brian, Tom and Mike G) and those for south and east Chester (Dave H, Keith, Steve and Jim).
Return to Ness Gardens was about 56 miles but for most of the group they would have covered in excess of 60miles.
Overall a very pleasant cycle ride with its mixture of interesting urban and industrial features.  Also a big thank you to Brian and Dave H for navigating us all safely through such a complex area.
MG

23rd August 2012: Mersey Estuary

Liverpool skyline

All aboard

Ray, Trevor, Dave B, Mike M, Clive, Liz D and Brian were all raring to go from Ness Gardens by 10:25.  Brian had asked for a smart, sharp departure before 10:30; Ray was so quick getting away, that he forgot to pay.  A quick ride diagonally across to Woodside saw us catching a ferry, much preferred to the electric train.  All on board safely, a picture taken of us seven, showed Dave decidedly sea sick and Mike cropped out completely.

Photographs by Brian MacDonald

Is Dave sea sick? What's happened to Mike?

After the Albert Dock, an easy ride took us downstream on the Lancs side past Otterspool, through Grassington Park, old Garston village and out at the old Speke Airfield.  A path is marked on the A-Z atlas running between the airport and the estuary.  It may be worth checking out before the next ride to see if it’s passable.  Good time was made to The Wellington Pub in Hale, a Marston’s roadhouse similar to The Eastham Ferry.  A wide menu choice was on offer with the bonus of Lime and S only costing £1 and beer at £2.50.  Result.  Worth a return visit, as this area was devoid of pubs and cafes.  

Widnes staircase

After lunch, the ride saw us on parkland along the river bank and across The Bridge to that other desert, Runcorn.  The place has always been a minefield to cycle through, as it’s devoid of signs & what there are only point to places in the middle of the town.  Dave H had come to the rescue with a map running south to north, which I used on the recee.  Returning south, we saw a sign for a place we recognised called Acton Bridge & followed Sustrans route 562 past bingo halls, parks and motorways, before being ejected out onto the A56.  

Over the bridge

A ride along the main road through Frodsham, took us to the B road across to the Windsurfing Centre, where coffee and cake was consumed.  Suitably refreshed, and with Mike having departed earlier, we set off on the final leg through the Mickles to Mollington, where Clive left us.  Liz, Trevor & Brian arrived back at Ness after 7 hours and with 59 easy miles under our belts.  This ride could be done quicker in winter, provided you did not catch the ferry, which is both more expensive & slower than the frequent trains from Hamilton Square.

BMac

1st April 2010: Mersey Estuary Ride

The first special (or as Brian and Dave prefer “novelty”) ride of 2010 just has to be on April Fools day.  Despite that and an early 9.30am meet in Frodsham combined with a poor weather forecast, ten members make it to the Cottage Tea Shop where we take over the back room conservatory.  Thanks to the friendly staff we are soon quaffing tea and toasted teacakes in preparation for the day ahead.  It’s a good mix today including some faces we haven’t seen for a while: Brian, Dave H, Mike, Glennys, Clive, Ivan, Jim, Liz, Martin and Bryan.
Dave announces that he has researched three different routes through Runcorn and that we will be taking the scenic one: and so it turns out to be.  After the initial maze of flyovers and underpasses we emerge to skirt Runcorn Hill with fine views all the way down the Mersey to Liverpool and Wirral.  What a grand way to start the ride.  From here it’s across the Runcorn/Widnes Bridge and down to join the Trans Pennine Trail.  In many ways this is the best part of the route (pity about the steps though) and we take in the scenery before heading inland to Hale to see the carved statue and grave of John Middleton the 9ft 3in Childe of Hale.  Bryan has come up with a new route this year bypassing Speke and the glass-strewn path by the motor works in favour of the lanes.  We leave the Trans Pennine Trail and take to the lanes before joining the old railway track at Halewood heading for Gateacre.
At Gateacre we leave the cycle trail and join the traffic to climb up to the ridge overlooking the Mersey before descending past Calderstones Park to the Red Bull at the eastern end of the Mersey promenade.  We’re doing well for time but Martin is thinking ahead and wondering where we will stop for lunch.  Brian recommends the Brewery Tap at Cairn’s Brewery near Liverpool Cathedral.  The suggestion is taken up with enthusiasm and without a further word we are off along the promenade into the wind.  The brewery is reached well before 1.00pm where we are directed to the empty brewery bike shed at the far corner of the car park.
Inside there is one other customer!  The full range of Cairn’s beers proves to be a daunting choice for some, as we don’t have time to sample more than a few: but no one goes away disappointed.  The food on the other hand is a different matter.  Soup and sandwich is off, as indeed is most of the menu but we can have a sandwich and chips (did someone say we had to wait for the bread to defrost?).  The last two orders emerged from the kitchen just before 2.00pm.  So for the second year running we have missed the ferry!
Brian leads us to James Street Station where we say goodbye to Glennys who takes a train back to Chester while the rest of us go one stop to Hamilton Square.  Here Bryan with bike almost topples backwards down the up escalator saved only by a quick thinking Mike.  With the exciting bit out of the way Brian leads us back through Birkenhead Park to Brimstage Craft Centre for a relaxing afternoon tea.  Brian leaves us here as we start the well-used route back to Chester through Thornton Hough, Willaston and Capenhurst dropping off riders along the way.  By the time we reach the canal at Backford there are only three of us left.

Photographs by Brian MacDonald

Distance from Chester and back just over 60 miles.

BW

16th July 2009: Mersey Estuary Ride

Photographs by Glennys Hammond

We had discussed today’s ride a number of times over the last year so I was thinking about how it would go as I cycled to the Cottage Café in Frodsham for an early 9.45am meet. I joined Jim sitting outside in the sun with tea and teacake before being joined by Glennys, Mike, Dave and Peter Williams (joining us for the first time). Once we had discussed the route it was time for the off with Dave leading us through Runcorn to the Runcorn Widnes bridge over the Mersey. Thank goodness we had Dave’s local knowledge to navigate us along the cycle paths through this bewildering landscape of flyovers and underpasses before being able to enjoy the views from the bridge. Once on the Trans Pennine Trial below the bridge Bryan took the lead before Glennys led us to Hale village church to see the grave bearing the inscription "Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale. Nine feet three." After a photo opportunity by the carved giant it was time to continue through Speke before passing alongside the Jaguar Land Rover plant. How we avoided punctures on these glass littered cycle paths I don’t know but it was with a certain amount of relief that we joined the old railway line at Halewood Country Park for the ride up to Gateacre.
Leaving the Trans Pennine Trail Bryan led us uphill through Gateacre Village with the promise of a viewpoint in Calderstones Park which, I have to admit, seemed less and less likely as we got closer. Confidence in Bryan’s map reading skills then suffered a dramatic collapse as it turned out the “viewpoint” was in fact the OS symbol for a “garden”! Luckily the diversion gave us the opportunity to view the original Calder stones before we remounted, donned waterproofs, and set off in the rain down hill to the red bull on the Mersey Estuary embankment.
Once on the embankment, taking in the views across the Mersey, it seemed only a matter of minutes before we were relaxing in a café in the Albert Dock having a much needed lunch in the dry. Although a little behind schedule we took our time only to discover, on arriving at Pier Head, that we had just missed the Ferry and the next one wasn’t due for an hour and a quarter! A short diversion to James Street station was called for, where we took the next train to Hamilton Square negotiating both escalators and lift to get back to street level. Peter offered to lead us on the scenic route through Birkenhead pulling in Birkenhead Park and Bidston Hill before we joined the NCR 56 to Brimstage Craft Centre for afternoon tea and cake. Leaving the Craft Centre as the tearooms closed we headed back to Chester with Peter peeling off in Willaston and Bryan in Capenhurst.
What an interesting day this had turned out to be: a completely different ride to the usual exploring new territory and with four leaders covering different stages. Even the rain and missed ferry didn’t spoil the enjoyment of a great day out. Distance from Chester and back 66 miles.
BW