26th June 2014: Jodrell Bank (brisk)

The Tuesday ride was a very brisk, 89 miler lead by Paul at a cracking 16.5 mph pace; so I was looking for a bit of relief today but I didn’t get any. Five of us (Ray, Ivan, Tom, Alex and myself) set off bound for Jodrell Bank. Alex joined us for the first time today and hopefully he will return in the future. The ride has been done before, but I felt sure I could tweak it on the fly. So we were soon out flying through Eaton on our way to Winsford. Despite shimmying around the town, we still had to deal with the big roundabout over the Weaver, but there is a way to miss it by using the cycleway underneath it! This brought us out at the Bottom Flash section of the NCR 5. An upward path came into view, which quickly turned in a 25% so we all ground to a halt in the wrong gear. Onwards out through Clive Green, we circumnavigate Middlewich through the unending housing estates exiting on NCR 71 to Brereton Green. Ignoring the next section of cycleway (which is a poor track) we end up ambling down the private road to a certain person’s ancestral home (aka Davenport Hall).

This is a lovely route over the Dane river valley exiting into Swettenham village. We take Sandy Lane, and over the ford, before circling around to Lower Withington and on to Jodrell Bank visitor centre itself at 27 miles ridden.

Photograph by Clive Albany

The cafe was not serving hot food today due to a kitchen upgrade, but, as ever, the food was of excellent quality. The return route beckoned, so we set off for Goostrey then Rudheath Woods and down the eponymously named Sandy Lane to bypass a little of the main road; then heading for Lach Dennis and Davenham. Crossing the main A556 at the Hartford turn, we take the counter direction footpath, and, at the railway bridge, take the cut through to Hartford Station. Littledales Lane leads to Hodge Lane and eventually Norley Bank. A short burst then finds us at Delamere Station cafe. 

The route back to Rose Farm is now due south and rounds off at 52 miles. As none of us need to go there, we grind up the Eddisbury Hill bypass, speed down the old Kelsall main road, though Hollowmore Heath to Guilden Sutton and the Greenway. Only 80+ miles today!

CA

16th May 2013: Jodrell Bank

How lucky we were today with the weather - a few showers were forecasted to mar the sunshine but we only had a few minutes of half-hearted rain. A big crowd set off bound for Jodrell Bank. There was Dave, Paul, Petar, Keith, Ray, George, Brian Mac, Dave & Liz P, the re-spoked Stephen and myself - quite a lot to negotiate successfully 32 miles of outward journey to Jodrell Bank radio telescope. 

As ever the route was slightly unconventional starting out towards Aston and Kelsall before turning out to Utkinton and Cotebrook. Oulton Mill pond looked beautiful in the sunshine as we continued on passed Oulton Park. Taking in Little Budworth village, we also pass by Budworth Mere on our way to Whitegate Way. Here the bridge was closed off explaining the lack of traffic on this usually busy country road. Exiting off Whitegate Way, we escape Winsford via Clive Green making for the outskirts of Middlewich. Skirting through miles of suburbia, we finally exit Middlewich on the 71 cycleway. Here I plan a route-shortening manoeuvre to ensure we get to Jodrell by 13:00. The original plan was to swing west and north sounding through the Davenport Estate and Swetenham but legs were getting tired and stomachs empty! More suburbia through Holmes Chapel we take the thankfully quiet main road through Twemlow Green heading for the big dish.

Photograph by Clive Albany

The car park is not too busy so there is hope that there are inside tables for us in the café; and there were. I have eaten here before and just as then, today's menu did not disappoint. Many riders commented on the good cuisine. The route back is flatter and we set off by circling the biggest Sky disc bound for Goosetrey. The lanes are flat and the traffic light as we zoom through Lach Dennis and Davenham. Along the A556 Chester Road counter-direction cycle path, the rain comes down for a short while until we get to Cuddington. The hills to Norley warm us up and dry us out as we enter Delamere forest that is finally coming to life. At the farthest crossroads, Stephen heads for Kelsall as half of us head down to the bottom of Mouldsworth hill, and the rest take the shorter incline on the official route back to Manley. Not quite 56 miles and no one got dropped - quite a successful day to an unusual destination and excellent lunch stop.

CA

PS: We were all in red club colours today except for one exception who FINALLY is wearing a helmet! You know who you are - and many thanks for the East Anglia OS 1946 map!