16th June 2022: Chirk to Harmer Hill

 It promised to be a fine and very warm day as we gathered at The Castle Bistro. Only four ‘mods’ today, Steves T and Hu, Alan and Andy B. The plan was to go to The Bridgewater Arms at Harmer Hill, a ride we did almost exactly one year ago, but, as we’ll see, the best laid plans…

We left Chirk via Castle Road, crossing the Ceriog River at Pontfaen, then climbing the steep hill into Weston Rhyn. Threading our way through Oswestry, we were soon on the road to Maesbury and Maesbury Marsh, crossing the A483 at Mile Oak. Heading for Eardiston, I missed the turning and as a result, we ended up at the side of the A5, at an extremely dangerous point. After a consultation with a local farmer we returned back along  the lane to the correct turning and soon found ourselves at Weirbrook, were we crossed the A5 to a gap in the hedge and the road out towards Wykey. The lanes between here and Baschurch are delightful, being quiet (except for a huge crop spray tractor coming down the lane) and smooth, although there are some steepish sections  along here to test your fitness.

By now it was seriously warm and we were eagerly looking forward to some food and drink. Passing through Bomere Heath we reached the A528 where I offered the group a ride straight down the A road to the pub or a slightly longer route along Shotton Lane. The answer was unequivocal – straight to the pub!

At The Bridgewater Arms, Steve Hu went inside to get menus, but he returned with a long face saying they were not doing food today. What to do? As the intended route was to take us through Loppington, we opted to ride the 6 or so extra miles to The Dicken Arms, our lunch stop of only three weeks ago.

We arrived there hot and very bothered, but food and drink was soon ordered and arrived with great alacrity. Once again their lamb tagine was popular and very tasty. This place is very deserving of ‘favoured lunch stop’ status.

Photo by AO

Our route back took us through English Frankton, Cockshutt, Lee and Tetchill. We crossed the Llangollen Canal at  Onston, we soon reached the A495, but turned off this busy road before we got to Welsh Frankton. We went across country to reach the B5068 where we turned towards Ifton heath and St. Martins. At the school we took the usual B road down to the busy roundabout on the A5 which was negotiated quickly and safely.

At The Poachers pub we turned of the road to take the canal towpath along Chirk Bank. This route has the benefit of avoiding steep hills into Chirk and also giving Steve Hu and Alan the opportunity to cycle across the Chirk Aqueduct, where the team photo was taken.

Photo SHu

We arrived back at The Castle Bistro at 3.40, having covered 52 miles at an average speed of just under 14 mph. Once again the Shropshire lanes had delivered – quiet and mostly smooth in some delightful countryside on what was probably the hottest day of the year.

Thanks to Steve Hu, Alan and Andy for their support, company and patience, as I navigated my way around the route. One to be done again, I think!

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download

4th July 2019: Harmer Hill

I’d found a route that Clive had led last August from Chirk to The Bridgewater Arms at Harmer Hill and had loaded it onto my phone ‘just in case’. This turned out to be a good thing, as the CER group gathered at The Castle Bistro consisted of me, George, Trevor, Andy B, Graham and Neil, with neither our usual moderate ride leaders nor any of the brisk lads present. Neil had ridden out the 27 miles from home and declared that he was worn out and would only be having a coffee and then riding back home. So that left the 5 if us asking ‘where are we going today’?

So, Harmer Hill it was. We set off via Weston Rhyn and down the B road to Oswestry. Entering Oswestry, I found some difficulty in seeing the thin blue line on my Viewranger map and so we were soon swept up in the one-way system around the town. Looking closely at Clive’s original route, it seems that there’s a very direct route through which puts you on the road out towards Morda, but we missed that and spent quite a while working out which way to go. I must ask Clive how he did it.

Eventually, we were on Weston Lane and heading across the A483 at Mile Oak and thence on to Maesbury and Maesbury Marsh. On reaching the busy A5 at Weirbrook the map showed us going straight on, but there was no road on the opposite side of the A5! Fortunately, Trevor remembered that you go through a gap in the hedge opposite (another Clive dodge?) which puts you on the old B- road out towards Wykey and the PGL  Holiday Camp at Stanwardine.  The route here has quite a few steepish climbs which allowed Graham’s e-bike to show its impressive paces. Taking the B5067 out of Baschurch, we turn off at Walford Heath and, after a short run along the A528, we soon find ourselves at The Bridgewater Arms.

The barmaid (landlady?) didn’t seem to take too kindly to 5 scruffy, sweaty cyclists appearing in her nice pub and ordering our drinks and food had the feeling about it of appearing in front of the headmistress. However, with the offer of two meals for £8.95 and food quickly served, we were not unhappy with the outcome.

We were soon on our way on what was now a very warm and sunny afternoon. Unlike Clive last year we did take the back way through Myddle to Burlton and what a beautiful little lane it is, under the sandstone cliffs.

Loppington and Cockshutt follow in quick succession. At Lee, Trevor decides to leave us in order to put in some the extra miles as training for the Bert Bailey Memorial ride that he and George are doing this Sunday – good luck. lads.  We soon reach Tetchill, after which there’s the long climb up to Frankton Hill. Then along the back lanes through New Marton to St. Martins, where the parish church bells are ringing as we passed through. Then we navigate the busy roundabout at the A5 and take the B road into Chirk with Chirk Bank offering us a final challenge for the day.

The run back took us less than 2 hours, possibly because I didn’t get us lost as much! 50 miles ridden on a grand day with excellent company. I hope my fellow riders will forgive my navigational mishaps – I’ll have to see if I can make the thin blue line a bit thicker next time so that it’s easier to see.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ST

28th March 2019 : Harmer Hill (mod)

Ken had just returned from nearly two months in Japan and New Zealand and was keen for a non-taxing route on his first ride. I offered him a flat 50 miler from Chirk to Harmer Hill and he offered me a car-assist from Rossett to Chirk thus negating a boring 30 mile ride out to Chirk from Chester.

Already at the Castle Bistro were Dave H, Steve T, George, Trevor, Andy B and Mike G. As ever, Chirk seems to be a popular starting point, so I was surprised and pleased when these six accepted my ride to Harmer Hill. We have been there a few times before, the most recent being a brisk ride last August. Today’s ride was almost like that August ride, except in reverse.

I promised a downhill start followed by a flat section, aka the canal path to Weston Rhyn. Here we took an unfamiliar diversion towards Gobowen. Passing Derwen College, we are now into the tiny lanes around Hindford for the climb up to Welsh Frankton Hill at all of 153 metres. Rushing down the lane we are soon at Tetchill and circle White Mere, then Colemere Hill, onwards to English Frankton. At Lee, I pick up a nasty thorn in the rear tyre. Ken works wonders replacing my tube and we are off again. 

Welsh Frankton hill

The rear puncture is repaired. Thanks Ken!

Once through Loppington, we skirt Sleap airfield to arrive in Myddle just two miles from Harmer Hill and the Bridgewater Arms pub. Although the pub was busy, our fare comes quite quickly. Once our thirst and hunger had been sated, we plunge down the back lane to Myddle. Here we pass by the impressive Red Sandstone bluffs which are the southerly extent of Cheshire Sandstone. I recall that we also passed through this lane on the Battlefield ride in October last year.

We are back in the lanes again onwards to West Felton. The countryside is magnificent in the spring sunshine. There is wild garlic to savour and fields of blossoming rapeseed, along with a few yellow butterflies.  Elsewhere fields have been ploughed awaiting arable crop seeding. Taking the pedestrian shortcut bridge over the A5, we are almost ready for the dash through Maesbury to the outskirts of Oswestry.


The approach to Oswestry from the south is boring being through industrial estates and thence into the centre of town. However by taking Weston lane, we shadow Wat’s Dyke path to arrive in the town centre. Here though we skirt Cae Glas park to miss the one way system exiting close to Morrisons and thence up suburban Llwyn Road. There is a short steep section here after which we are instantly back in the countryside  passing the Iron Age hill fort of Old Oswestry. 


At the outskirts of West Rhyn, we take an unfamiliar route back into Chirk enjoying the short steepish hill of the Glyn Ceiriog road to arrive back at the Castle Bistro after almost 50 miles. A great day out in spring sunshine, a dry day with dusty lanes and that "it's good to be alive" feeling that such a ride as this gives you.

Magnolia and daffodils in the spring sunshine

Ken and I eschew a coffee and head back to Chester whilst a few take a coffee ( and cake perhaps) in the Castle Bistro and others also take their cars.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Photos MG

2nd August 2018 : Harmer Hill (brisk)

I didn't relish the idea of cycling out the 30+miles to Chirk but Ken offered to car-assist from Rossett  so this cut down the miles out and back. We were the first at the Castle Tea Rooms but soon there were quite a few more. Nick and John M were up for my 51 miler to Harmer Hill along with Ken and myself. The Mods were heading for the dark,cloud laden hills.

We set off by a different route for me to Weston Rhyn and hence along a recently refurbished road into Oswestry. There is the odd spot of rain in the air as well. A minor diversion via the town centre to avoid the one-way system, found us bowling down Weston Lane and across the A483 at the new junction. A straight run through Maesbury and it's marsh found us at Wooslton Bank and the tiny lanes towards Weirbrook.

Onwards through Eardiston, we arrive at the back of the PGL Holiday camp at Stanwardine. There are a couple of stiffish hills and Nick stops at the top to investigate what he thinks is a stone problem with his tyre or wheel. Unfortunately for him its a broken spoke and a slightly wonky rear wheel. He is wary of riding much further, and elected to follow us towards Shrewsbury.  We turn off at Walford Heath as he trundles the few miles to Shrewsbury station to take the train back to Chirk.

Route statistics ex PlotaRoute

It is not far for us now to Harmer Hill as we enjoy the tiny lanes and gorgeous sunshine and countryside. The Bridgewater Arms beckons and we are soon ensconced around our table with a pint of Wainrights in our hands. The luncheon fare comes quickly and is substantial, tasty and reasonably priced. We discuss the Brexit mess, and decide that we don't have a solution either!

It's time to go, and it has warmed up somewhat. I miss out the back way Myddle, as we run at high speed on the A528 towards Burlton with the wind with us. The road to Loppington is smooth and fast. As we turn westwards through Cockshutt towards Lower Hordley, we have the keen westerly wind in our faces all the way.

Each cut cornfield sends up a blast of very hot air as we speed down the lanes. North towards Tetchill, we go west again up the long climbing lane to Frankton Hill. We wiggle our way to St Martins and thence via the canal into the back of Chirk at just after 1500.

So 51 miles ridden and we all elect to miss out on a coffee to get home promptly. Ken kindly drops me off at the top of Lache Lane so halving my ride home. So thanks to Ken and John for they companionship today, and we all hope that Nick made it home OK as we didn't receive a text from him telling us he was able to get the train back. Hopefully he did!

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

14th July 2016 : Summer Long Ride to Harmer Hill (brisk)

Starting in 2009, there has been a CER tradition of a long (over 100 miles) mid-summer ride. The rides were: “Vets 100” (2009), Shrewsbury (2010), Stone (2011), Welshpool (2012), Eccleshall (2013), Tibberton (2014), Cheshire Cycleway (2015) and today’s ride to Harmer Hill. Harmer Hill currently has the record for the highest number of riders at 12 hardy souls. So the list was Ivan, Ray, Tom, John W, Steve T, Paul, Martin, Keith M, John M and his guest, Andy Mc, and myself. Just the other side of the Old Dee Bridge, we pick up Dave P who had had an alarm mis-function but was now ready to roll. We speed off just after 0800 in the cool morning onwards through Rossett where we pick up Ken.

Ready for the off and obeying local instructions

At Borras, Dave P decides that he should drop off; so onwards, circling Wrexham and Erddig, our Cyclist Dozen are now bound for Ruabon. The long run down and slog up the Dee Valley, finds us in Chirk at 0930 after 25 miles. The “Tea Rooms Bistro” were warned the day before that we were coming but, basically they were disappointingly unprepared and it took well over an hour to get breakfasted in and out. Admittedly they had contractors in, but a little disappointing. 

It has warmed up a little now as we rise through Weston Rhyn and down my favourite little lane to Oswestry’s Iron Age hill fort. Rounding Oswestry and via Middleton, we are soon out into Maesbury marsh territory. There are long traffic-free lanes here as we sidle through Maesbrook and new lanes to Melverley close to the Welsh border. This is Offa’s Dyke country beside the River Severn. Crossing the A5 at Montford Bridge, the leading riders get a little cocky with their Garmin routing and turn left, as the leader’s pack just cross the road and up the hill towards Forton Heath. I take a left, which is incorrect judging by the chorus behind, but carry on re-routing on the fly via Yeaton and Merrington. This adds no extra mileage except adding a long, easy hill.

The tiny lane out of Merrington elicits a phone call from Ivan who has missed our turn but is re-routing back onto the published route. Within minutes, we see his group pumping up the hill right in front of us, but now we have lost John W who has zoomed back to find Ivan! We are now just ten minutes from the "Bridgewater Arms" at Harmer Hill, where we all are grateful for a lunch stop after 60 miles. The tables are reserved, the beer is good, the staff attentive, the food comes quickly and we are in and out in just over the hour. Just as we are ready to go, Keith has a bike lock malfunction which is soon rectified using a pair of pliers, and a subsequent later visit to the bike shop for a replacement! 

The lock is removed!

It’s now sunny as we take the long lanes towards Loppington where I go marginally off piste again. The ride into Whitchurch is quicker than I anticipated (I estimated the distance wrongly) so we head out to the canal-side cafe at Grindley Brook. Ivan has a problem with his pedal cleats and a temporary fix is effected. Out onto the home stretch, we sidle either side of the A41 turning off in to No Man’s Heath and out into Ebnal Lane. Here Steve, having nowhere to go, runs into the back of a suddenly slowing John W resulting in serious problems with John's rear derailleur. None of this is known by the rest of the group who are waiting up the road. Ivan finds out that Ken is converting John’s bike into a fixie and they would make their own way back. The route now is via Tilston and Tattenhall and thence home. In Waverton, Ivan and Co zoom into view as a few of us had been taking it easy back into Chester.

We have had a glorious day’s riding with everyone broadly keeping together at over 15 mph average and 105+ miles and 4400 ft of climb. Yes, a few incidents, but importantly no accidents! This has been my fifth year leading the summer long ride, so maybe next year someone else might come forward…….?

CA

PS: Many thanks to John W for being back marker and whipper in. I wonder how many we would still be looking for if he had diligently "carried out orders"!

Photographs by Clive Albany and Ivan Davenport