27th April 2023: Llanymynech (mod)

I arrived in Chirk wondering how many other riders would turn up - the forecast was for a cool day with heavy rain in the afternoon. Steve Hu and Alan had already told me they had other plans. Andy W arrived by train and was simply planning to ride back home. Andy B arrived, meaning there were just two of us for the day. I'd prepared two routes: a 42 mile run eastwards to Whixall Marina because I remember Dave H saying he wished to go there; and a 37 mile run southwards to Llanymynech. A strengthening southerly wind, plus the predicted rain later made Llanymynech the choice. It was to be an eventful ride.

Our start was inauspicious. Leaving home, Andy B had already suffered a broken spoke and had swapped bikes. We now left the cafe to find drizzle falling. As we headed towards the A5 roundabout this dried up. Knowing the last few days had been dry, I chose to follow the lanes towards Hindford which are a muddy hell in the wet.  We crossed the A-road at West Frankton, reminding ourselves of places we had been forced to stop due top punctures and mechanicals. We passed through West Felton and Woolston making good progress and joined the road into Llanymynech at Maesbrook.

Less than a mile before our destination, Andy pulled up.  I looked back and saw him standing with the pedal and crank dangling from his foot - only a couple a weeks after George had also lost a crank. A bodged repair was effected, sufficient to get us to the pub. 

As usual we found a good welcome at the Bradford Arms. The cat was there but this time the fire wasn't burning. Nonetheless, we each enjoyed haddock and chips from "the two mains for £18 menu". I then waited inside while Andy made a more permanent repair able to get him home.  

We left the pub and took a lane northwards towards Morton with a spot or two of rain falling. We found the road closed when we reached the line of the filled in Montgomery Canal. Restoration work was underway, but we followed a sign for pedestrians. Unexpectedly this didn't bring us straight back to the road, but took us on a rough 1/2 mile walk along the old canal path. Reluctant to turn back, we manhandled our bikes over two stiles until we were able to get back on tarmac at a bridge, on the other side of which the canal was filled with water.  The Montgomery Canal here has been un-navigable between Maesbury and Llanymynech since the 1930s. This year saw the start of a two year restoration project along more than four miles of the route.

Back on tarmac again - photo by SHa

The rain was now steady as we took the familiar route through Maesbury, across the A5 and into Oswestry. We passed the old hill fort and continued northwards into Western Rhyn. From the Ceriog Valley we climbed back to our starting point, me to my car and Andy to his ride home. Our route had covered thirty seven miles. Although the rain had been steady for the latter part, we avoided the forecast heavy rain, and I'll count this as a successful ride. 

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SHa 

12th January 2023: Llanymynech (mod)

There were but nine CER members – 4 brisk and 5 mods - who gathered at The Castle Bistro in Chirk; perhaps others were put off by weather forecasts over the last few days which promised rain and high winds. In the event the sun was shining and the wind not too strong as Dave H, Steves Hu and T, Alan and Andy set off down Chirk Bank.

Our destination was The Bradford Arms at Llanymynech, a venue visited only now and then, but one which always gets a good review. To avoid the dirty lanes around Henlle and Hindford, we struck out through St Martins and took the lanes through New and Old Marton. However, although these were not too muddy, they were, in several places, totally flooded (see photo), but were passable with judicious use of the pedals to avoid getting wet feet.

The climb up to Perthy and Welsh Frankton got pulses racing, but the drop down to Lower Frankton gave us the chance to get our breath back. This was needed as the wind was getting up as we rode alongside the Montgomery Canal, over what must be one of the sharpest hump-backed bridges anywhere.

Having made the long climb up to Hordley, we now turned south-west and directly into the ever stronger wind, which made progress somewhat difficult. Running through West Felton, we eventually joined the B4398 at Maesbrook.  But as we did so, Andy suffered a punctured back tyre, which called a halt to our progress. At this point it we were only 5 miles or so from Llanymynech, so Dave, Steve Hu and Alan went ahead to the pub while Andy swiftly replaced the punctured tyre, helped (watched, really) by Steve T.

At the pub the fire was lit and the cat asleep on a bar stool. The friendly staff soon took our orders for food and drink and these arrived swiftly.  The locals were telling us that the A483 which runs through Llanymynech was flooded and impassable just south of the village, where it crosses the River Vyrmwy. Extensive flooding in the fields around the village had been evident as we arrived.

Photo by AO

Fed and watered, we re-traced our steps towards Maesbrook, but soon turned north-east through Crickheath and Morton. We now had a side or tail-wind, which made life easier, but still had to pass through a couple of sections where the road was completely flooded.

Photo by AO

Somewhere along here, Steve Hu suffered a puncture, but he sent a message forward that Andy, Dave and I should not wait for him and Alan, as he had the route on his Wahoo. So on we went, crossing the A5 near Aston and threading our way through the housing estates around Oswestry, emerging on the lane past the Old Hill Fort.

From there it was along the lanes through Hengoed to Weston Rhyn and the sharp descent into the Ceiriog Valley. The climb up the hill into Chirk provided the last challenge of a day.

As Dave and I were loading bike into the Berlingo, Steve Hu and Alan arrived, having given it ‘full gas’ all the way back. Good to know that everyone completed the 37 miles safely on a day on which the rain held off (mostly) and the wind provided a greater hazard than the flooded roads.

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2127072

See routemap and/or gpx file download

ST

 

13th January 2022: Llanymynech (mod)

As I drove out to Chirk, at one point the thermometer in the car registered -2.5C. Outside the car it felt like the coldest start we’ve had this winter, so it was good to see six mod and six brisk riders gather in the Castle Bistro. Welsh Covid regulations now require that groups of no more than 6 can gather indoors, so sitting on separate tables, we fell within that threshold. The mod group comprised Mike, just back from Germany, Andy B, George, Dave H, Steve T and myself.

We were concerned about ice on the lanes, so initially we kept to main roads, crossing the A5 and heading up to St Martins. From here we struck out on minor roads through New and Old Marton. We could see frost on the pavements and one small stretch of ice on the road as we cautiously navigated these lanes. We passed near a trig point recording 138m above sea level, and hoped the surfaces would be less cold as we descended from here. We had noticed the tracks of some road bikes and thought perhaps the brisk group had taken the same route ahead of us.

After passing through Perthy we took a short stretch of A-road before descending to Welsh and Lower Frankton. We sped up passing through West Felton and Maesbrook, and shortly arrived at the Bradford Arms in Llanymynech. A friendly welcome and a warm open fire made us regret we hadn’t visited more recently – the last record I could find was from 2018. Welsh Covid restrictions need not be a reason for saying away because although the street outside is in Wales, the pub itself is in England. We speculated on why there is a Bradford Arms here and also nearby in Knockin, when the closest we were to Yorkshire seemed to be the Black Sheep Bitter they served.  It stems from the Earldom of Bradford and today “Bradford Estates stewards 12000 acres of land in Shropshire and Staffordshire”. 

Photo by SHa

Well fed and watered we left the warmth of the pub and headed NE through Morton and Maesbury. After crossing the A5, we had to decide whether to return via Whittington or Oswestry. Oswestry won and soon we were following familiar lanes past the Old Hillfort and into Weston Rhyn.  The temperatures had improved and the day had been sunny throughout, but Andy warned us about possible ice on the north-facing descent from Weston Rhyn to the Ceiriog Valley.  Indeed, he was right, but by this time in the afternoon it was limited to the side of the carriageway, so unhindered we descended and then climbed back up again to arrive back into Chirk and stop for a final brew.

Despite the cold start, it had been a great day out: sunny and with little wind.  The lanes had often been filthy, but we’d revisited one of our favourite lunch stops and travelled around 37 miles.

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SHa

16th May 2019: Llanymynech (mod)

Assembled at the Castle Bistro in the middle of Chirk were six Easy Riders: Dave H, Keith, Steve T, Clive, Dave M and myself.  Then for the first time in many meets, Dave P made a welcome return to our number.  Dave M was going to cycle back home, whilst the rest of us looked at something more challenging than our recent Chirk rides.  During the winter months, the mods had avoided the hills west of Chirk because of the weather.  Today, after a few warm sunny days, we were forecast a continuation, before the weather broke for the Friday.  The plan was to head to a familiar destination, the Bradford Arms at Llanymynech, but to approach it by a circuit through the hills and return over more level ground.

We set off up the Ceiriog valley, admiring the sunny green countryside and newly born lambs.  At Llanarmon DC, we paused to re-group before hitting the hills properly. We climbed steeply, before a cautious descent on narrow pot-holed lanes scattered with plenty of gravel.  Bypassing Llanrhaeadr, we followed the Tanat valley for several miles, before heading upwards again and then dropping to the Cain/Vyrnwy valley.

We entered Llanymynech and settled into the Bradford Arms.  The walls are decorated with some RAF memorabilia, and the landlord retired from the service, I think he told us, thirteen years ago to buy this residential pub. After posing for a photo we took again to the lanes.

Photo by Steve T

We headed east towards Ruyton XI Towns, avoiding the main road by meandering through several quiet lanes and villages to its south. We then cycled north towards Hordley on more peaceful decently surfaced lanes. Next it was up through the Franktons and Hindford to meet the St Martin’s road.  Descending the short hill, we crossed the major A5/A483 roundabout and headed up to Weston Rhyn.  This was followed by a short descent into the Ceiriog valley, before a final climb back to Chirk and our starting point.

Dave H, Steve T, Dave P and myself chose to refresh with drinks and food in the café, reflecting on the ride and enjoying being outside in the patio area.  We had completed 58 miles on an interesting and varied circuit through Wales and Shropshire. We had climbed over 1,000m and Steve T tells me our average speed was 12.8mph.

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SH

8th November 2018: Llanymynech (mod)

Four moderate riders assembled in the now-named ‘Castle Bistro’ in Church Street, Chirk: Keith, Trevor, Bob and myself. The morning had started poorly with rain and low cloud on the hills. However by the time we were ready to leave, the rain was ceasing, although the day would remain murky and the lanes wet and muddy.  Our destination was the Bradford Arms in Llanymynech.

We took a common route out from Chirk, crossing the A5 roundabout and making for Hindford. Before we made it to Welsh Frankton, the long dormant curse of ‘Puncture Bob’ struck, and we stopped while he fixed his rear tyre.  While this was happening we watched several tractors pulling slurry tanks that were far too wide for the lanes pass by.  Next we saw a white builder's van speed towards us and stop.  “Have you seen a silver car?” they asked. Apparently the car had clipped their wing mirror and they were trying to chase it down. We couldn’t help them, though as we resumed our ride, we met them in their search again.  I think we were all grateful not to be the subject of their ire. We continued onwards through West Felton and Maesbrook, before joining the road into Llanymynech and cautiously driving through some fresh hedge cuttings.

Llanymynech is on the England Wales border. If the old Lion Pub had still been open we could have chosen between two bars in England and one in Wales. When many Welsh counties were “dry” on Sundays, you could always get served in the “wet” English bars.  We however were after a very much open pub.  We have visited the Bradford Arms several times before and were settled comfortably besides an open fire, while we all tucked into fish and chips. For some reason the conversation focussed on the energy industry – oil, nuclear and solar.

Soon it was time to leave and we tracked back through the hedge cuttings before heading north to Maesbury and approaching Oswestry through quiet lanes from the east.  For once we were ahead of school closing times and the traffic was light.  As we passed by the old hill fort, several riders remembered the altercation with the angry old man who tried to run us off the road on this year’s long ride. No such problems today, as we make our way towards Weston Rhyn.  A few miles out from the village, the curse strikes again, this time in the front tyre. Trevor leaves us to catch his train while repairs are made.  We exit Weston Rhyn via the High Street which takes us down to the Ceriog valley and a much more pleasant return to Chirk than the main road.

We head straight to the car park, where we meet the returning brisk riders. A good ride in reasonable conditions: 20 miles before lunch and 16 after.

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SH

2nd August 2018: Llanymynech (mod)

Good turnout at the Chirk Tea Rooms for CER from Brisk and Mod riders.  The Mods group consisted of Keith, Dave H, Dave P, Andy B (who had cycled out from Mold using various diversionary routes) plus oneself.  We set of for Glyn Ceiriog (B4500) in fine weather with an occasionally ‘light light shower’. We climbed and climbed and were able to observe Chester Easy Riders overtaken by ‘Easy Coach’. 

Photos by Mike G

On through Llanarmon and the first of the steep climbs. At the top we decided to continue on to another summit eventually dropping down to Llanrhaeadr on damp roads occasionally covered in small stones. Andy advised the road was rough in places so we singled out to make sure if anyone did fall they wouldn’t take another cyclist.

Dropping down into the Tanat valley, I made a navigational error and we followed the B4580 adding about an extra 300ft of climbing. Instead of bagging three OS chevrons, another one was added making it a proper Mods ride rather than a leisure experience. Oh, the moans, but we managed it, our English contingent were also able to observe some more ‘badly maintained’ Welsh roads.

We eventually dropped down to the B4396 and with wind assistance were quickly at Pen-y-bont. A short climb over to Llansantffraidd and then onto Llanymynech. As our intended road crossing of the River Vyrnwy was closed, we used the Montgomery Canal towpath and aqueduct to get to our lunch stop, the Bradford Arms.

At lunchtime some of us discussed the nuclear industry and Chernobyl, whilst others enjoyed an ‘Aussie Summer’, a delightful beer.

In the afternoon, we had a following south westerly wind. West Felton soon arrived and we returned via Rednal, Welsh Frankton and Hindford; returning to Chirk about 4:20pm, with sufficient time for afternoon tea and catching the train home. Overall, a pleasant cycle ride covering 53 miles and just over 3,000ft climbing. For Andy B with his return home, he would have covered in excess of 100 miles.

See route map and/or gpx file download

MG

18th January 2018: Llanymynech (mod)

At just gone 10am, I was the only one sitting in the Chirk Tea Rooms, and contemplating a solitary ride.  A little later Bob arrived, and then Ken, who told us Steve T and Ivan were en route. However Ken, Steve and Ivan were going to be cycling back into Chester.  That just left me and Bob.  We saddled up and we had just mounted our bikes when Keith drove up, having been delayed in traffic. We returned to the Tea Rooms and shortly Keith appeared, and off the three of us headed – but not for long.  Keith’s front wheel didn’t feel stable, and after some investigation we discovered a broken component in his headset, which meant he had to abort the ride – a real shame especially after he had made it out all the way to Chirk.

So it was that six CER riders reduced to two – just me and Bob, heading south to Llanymynech. I had plotted a relatively short route to take account of a strong westerly and a forecast of heavy showers interrupted by heavier rain. We crossed the A5 and headed out through Hindford, Welsh Frankton and West Felton, appreciating some great views of the Welsh hills.  At first the lanes were muddy, full of debris and several times totally flooded, the longest stretch being about 20m of water. Gradually things improved as we headed south, though as we neared our destination an ominous black cloud appeared and the first drops of heavy rain began to fall.  Our speed increased with our determination to avoid a soaking before lunch.  We were lucky and just made it to the pub. 

As usual The Bradford Arms provided a friendly welcome, a warm bar and plentiful good value food and drink – we should visit more often.  While we had sheltered, there had been a real cloudburst.  It was dry again as we left, but as we initially rode back over the same route, the roads had become awash with large areas of surface water. We then passed through Maesbury and Oswestry feeling grateful and lucky to have so far stayed dry.  Then only three miles from journey’s end, Bob uttered the ominous word “puncture”.  Fate was conspiring to give us a drenching, because as soon as the puncture was fixed, it started to rain: heavily and with some hail.  We dropped down through Western Rhyn steadily feeling the dampness spreading through us.

We were thankful to get back to the Tea Rooms and have warm drinks and some food.  We were also grateful for what we both felt had been a really good ride: fine lanes once we were clear of the initial mud, some excellent views, good luck with the weather in spite of the last few miles and Bob’s new jacket had proved to be properly waterproof!  About 35 miles in total.

SH

12th October 2017: Llanymynech (mod)

Arriving at the Tea Rooms, Chirk I found all had decided on Trevor’s Special Ride for the flat plains of Southport and Lancashire.  Having pre-planned a route, where most of the stiff climbing was early on, I set off taking the B4500 up the Ceiriog valley. It was dry with a cool south westerly breeze. Crossing over the watershed into the Tanat valley I decided to follow some minor rough lanes that turned out to be the busiest in Wales. Car after car after car, sweeping up at the rear a hearse. Also, the WHA (Welsh Hedgecutters Association) were doing their best to ensure my progress would be impeded with lots of quickthorn hedge cuttings, scattered randomly.

Photos bt Mike G

At Pen-y-bont turned south crossing over into the Cain and Vyrnwy valleys and onto The Bradford Arms for lunch. I arrived as lots of people in black were exiting the establishment and the thought occurred “this is ‘Funeral Thursday’”. After a lovely lunch, they do look after their beer; set off west towards Melverley. Kinnerley soon followed then onto Ruyton-XI-Towns, Stanwardine, Hordley, stopping at the Frankton locks on the Montgomery Canal as there was plenty of time.

I returned to the Tea Rooms via Hindford and Weston Rhyn, cycling across the Chirk aqueduct; arriving at just after 4:00 pm having covered just over 57 miles. An excellent ride with lots of long distant views.

MG

28th July 2016: Llanymynech (mod)

Arriving at the Tea Rooms, Chirk no one to be seen.  Quick check on the mobile phone (what would society do without them?), yes, I was at the correct venue. I had planned a 46 mile ride with one long climb and a minor one nothing out of the ordinary for this area. I was about to leave and Dave P arrived. He was intending to cycle to Oswestry if no one turned up. After a brief discussion about my suggestion of a route, and Dave sorting out his bike; we set of for the Ceiriog valley at 10:50.

We followed the B4500 to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceriog in light occasional showers then as we started the climb over to Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant the heavens opened and continued as we cycled on the B4580 following the Tanat Valley. A right turn in Pen-y-bont Llanerch Emrys took us across on a minor road to Llasantffraid-ym-Mechain (no short village names in this part of Wales) for my intended lunch stop at the Red Lion. It was shut so decided to head for the Bradford Arms in Llanymynech arriving soaking wet at 13:20 having covered about 29 miles. Two lovely meals for £14 (Haddock and Chips each) washed down with a nice pint of Black Sheep Best Bitter followed by Black Sheep Holy Grail. Just after 14:15 with the rain receding we set of for West Felton following in reverse the route of the Bert Bailey. Dave was not in a rush to return and as the sun began shining so we extended the ride passing through Grimpo, Rednal and Welsh Frankton. Hinford followed then we took the back lanes to the B5070 and thence onto Chirk, arriving at 16:00 for coffee and cake at the Tea Rooms. Overall we had a pleasant day cycling covering 50 miles with 2,800ft of climbing.

MG

31st March 2016: Llanymynech (brisk)

I cycled out from home and was meeting John at the Rake and Pikel to ride together to Cleopatra’s at Holt.  On Wednesday John had completed a 120K audax involving 3000 meters of climbing so I was hoping he would go easy today!!
On such a lovely morning with the prospects of a good day it wasn’t surprising to see such a good turnout of riders.  There were going to be 3 groups today and I was leading the Brisk ride along with John W, Tom, Paul, Ken and John M. My route was a round trip of 68 miles to Llanymynech.
We set off from the café and headed down to the A534 and crossed over to the B5130, which we followed to Cross Lanes. We take a right turn onto Bwgan ddu lane where we find a young bullock blocking our path. We were passed by a car driver who led the way forward, only to shove the bull further along the road. John took the bull by the horns and got up to speed and passed the animal and ushered it into a farmer’s mansion front garden. He promptly closed the drive gates and hoped the bull would now be safe. No idea if this was the owner’s beast but it seemed at home chomping away at his shrubs!!!

Photographs by John Mills and Ivan Davenport

We continued our ride and passed through Overton and on to St Martins. It was rumoured the mods were heading this way also but at 11:30 we saw no sign of them yet. Onwards passing Gobowen and Whittington and on to Queenshead the Brisk group today are a good peloton and enjoying a good pace and I could even hear the happy banter behind.  The sun was shining and the daffodils were still splendid on the kerbside displays. What lovely flowers to take us into summer.
We take the B4398 from Knockin via Maesbrook and into Llanymynech. On arrival at the Dolphin Inn, which I had contacted on Wednesday to ensure they were open, we had a table set up for six. As this week has seen the introduction of the CER hot list of eating-places there was a debate from a borders man that this is not our usual eating spot in the village. For me when there is a choice of venues it is worth trying them out before discarding all alternatives and the Dolphin was a very friendly pub and the food of good quality. Perhaps for Tom the ladies also enjoying lunch may have been a bit senior for him but he chose to sit nearest to them for a chat!!
Back in the saddle we retrace a little of our route before taking a turn and going uphill only to find nearly at the top I had missed the turning. Turning round we raced back down the hill and the turning was a left nearly at the bottom but this little detour added to our 2654 feet of climb for the day.
Back on track we are riding along some very quiet and good dry lanes passing through Pant and Moreton and on to Babbinswood and Whittington. We turn right passed the lake onto the A495 before turning left to Hindford. My next missed turn was during a fast down hill descent and again going upwards before halting to return down and taking the correct turn. Every little helps in the ascent climbs.
We again pass through Overton and on the Bangor on Dee where there is jockeying for pole position for the descent passing the race course and Paul was well in front on his very black Trek with Tom hanging onto his rear wheel. It was then the normal route back to Farndon where we arrive at 16:30. Ken and John are going to return to Holt and try a coffee if Cleopatra’s is still open while the remaining four continue back to Chester.
Today’s ride was for me the first summers day ride of 90 miles to and from home and probable 100+ for the other three, A fantastic day with no incidents other than a couple of minor wrong ways so thank you to my riders today for making it such fun!!

ID

21st May 2015: Llanymynech (brisk)

I met Trevor and Ivan at Chester station as we took the 09:26 train to Chirk. It promised to be a very pleasant day all round. Tom joined Ivan and I as we decided to go up the Ceiriog Valley and see where it would lead us afterwards. The steady climb up to the Hand pub was near car-free. The 1 in 6 lane after the pub was definitely more like 1 in 4 at the top, and we maxed out at c1400ft. We had climbed 1100ft in 13 miles. I chose the 5 mile exhilarating downhill run to Llanrhaeadr. Today would consist of a lot of “Llan…” place names. We motor south and over the next range of hills to Llanfyllin where the main attractions are free toilets and parking!

The benefits of a fiscally devolved Wales

Photograph by Clive Albany

The A and B roads are essentially traffic free and this gives us the opportunity to admire the beautiful spring countryside of the Tanat and Cain river valleys. At Llansanffraid, we go over the river twice before falling once again into the welcoming arms of the “Bradford Arms” in Llanymynech. As we are the only diners, the food comes quickly, which was much needed after 33 miles of hills. I elect to tour the “Maes” flat countryside nearby as we go through Maesbrook, Maesbury Marsh and Maesbury itself. Here we overtake the recent Queensheaders who are making their way back via Oswestry. 

My return route is experimental, so after rushing through Babbingswood, Whittington and Gobowen, we head north and pass Henlle Hall golf club to take the canal path back to Chirk. It’s a bit rough in parts, and is really only a dry-day ride, but it connects us, via the Poacher Inn, to the Chirk aqueduct without having to get on a main road at all. Back by 15:20, we enjoy Magnums in the sunshine in Chirk before moving down to the station for the 15:55 Chester train. Trevor appears a few minutes before it is due, and we are all home by 16:45. We managed 50 circular miles and Ivan’s Garmin has noted a1000 metres of Up - it certainly felt like it!

CA

2nd April 2015: Llanymynech (mod)

The clocks went forward at the weekend so this is the first ride of the year in British Summer Time and we’re meeting at Chirk.  The forecast is for fine, dry weather, warmish and little if any wind: indeed it’s the only dry day forecast for the week!  A good turnout then?  Not a bit of it: with only three of us present by 10:30 it was going to be a very select group indeed.  None of us had prepared a ride so with the maps out, as we finished tea, we planned a circular route that would take in some of the lowland areas east of Oswestry and some of the hills to the west.  Steve wisely suggested we ride anti-clockwise to get the hills in early.

With the route agreed, the group of John, Steve and Bryan set off south at a moderate pace to Weston Rhyn and on to Selattyn where the real hills started.  While Steve and John forged ahead I struggled on the hills but the views and sound of the new born lambs more than made up for the heavy going. By Llawnt we were back together for the descent to Llansilin, slowing as we past the site of the crashed Wellington bomber (January 1943).  A few miles further and we took a left turn onto new lanes south to Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain by way of an exciting, and not to be repeated, encounter with a heavily laden tractor coming up a narrow chevroned lane as we came hurtling down desperately trying to brake on the wet and muddy surface.

Good time was being made as we approached Bryn Tanat Hall on the A495 where we planned to cross the Afon Tanat on the footbridge, shown on the map, to the public road on the other side.  Well it was just possible to see the bridge in the Hall gardens by standing on the wall outside but access was clearly impossible other than over the manicured lawns and through the house gardens.  A diversion was called for so we retraced our route back to Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and followed the B road to Llanymynech adding a few extra miles but still arriving for lunch at 13:00.

The mechanic at the local garage advises that the best real ale pub in Llanymynech is the unlikely sounding Bradford Arms so that’s where we end up.  A traditional pub, with workers at the bar, plenty of banter, three cask ales on tap and substantial good value food.  We stick with the excellent Black and Golden Sheep ales noting for next time Ditch Chaser brewed down the road at the Six Bells brewery Bishops Castle.  Well worth another visit I’d say.

John decided that he would make his own way back, at a somewhat faster pace than the outward leg, as he was riding back to Chester.  Steve and I sorted out a pleasant route on lanes we had done before.  It was 14:00, or thereabouts, when we left the pub and before we knew it John had shot off heading south to Four Crosses!  We hoped he knew where he was going as there was no chance of us catching him.  Steve and I headed east to Maesbrook, then north to Maesbury Marsh, Maesbury, Whittington and finally, skirting Gobowen, back to Chirk from the south.  Although we had ridden all these lanes before the route, as a whole, surprised us both comprising a delightful set of lanes with little traffic and almost completely flat.

We arrived back at Chirk by 15:30 in plenty of time for coffee and elderflower cake with 40 miles done.  A superb ride of contrasts from the lambs on the upland hills to the lowland lanes with the first signs of oilseed rape in the fields.

BW

24th July 2014: Llanymynech (brisk)

As I had been to the waterfalls a few times, I offered Ray and Tom an alternative in a re-hashed June 2013 ride to the Bradford Arms Hotel on the English side of the border in Llanymynech. We set off round the back of Chirk heading for the castle at a “briskish” pace which slowed considerably as the heat and the hills took its toll. We maxed out at 1000 ft, all within the first three miles. Back now on the main road up the valley, we were able to motor along to Tregeiriog and just catch the tail end of the moderate group who had taken the main road from Chirk. We then took an innocent left turn that concealed a vicious climb up from 850 to 1200 ft. I was struggling after 2 weeks off the bike, but Ray and Tom managed to get up in one go. From the top, we swoop up and down the lanes on our way to Llansilin, and out the other side before skirting the next big hill. At Pen-y-Bont we take a planned route diversion on our way to the pub. 

The last time we were here was last June when it really rained hard. The landlord allowed us to shelter the bikes in a storeroom, and as then, he was happy to see us and to promptly rustle up some very nice food. Strangely the lads both had a rather hot chilli dish! 

Photograph by Clive Albany

With 26 hilly miles done, the remaining 16 miles were flat as we made our way back parallel to the A483, which we then crossed to quickly run through Oswestry exiting towards the Iron Age hill fort (3500 years old - started on a Monday about 0800). The run back through Weston Rhyn allowed us to access the canal aqueduct route back into Chirk. After 42 miles, we were enjoying an ice cream at 15:15, in readiness for Ray and I to catch the busy 15:48 train. Ray was on his new self-built TDi bike today (titanium frame with Shimano Di2 group set) - i.e. electric powered transmission. I had expected Tom and Ray to be well tired out after their Tuesday's 90 mile ride to Mop Cop (which included cycling the final ascent twice - ask Ivan why!), but they didn’t show it. Incidentally, the moderate ride today was slightly longer and a lot hillier than the brisk version!

CA

27th June 2013: Llanymynech

Rain and hills were forecast today - and neither disappointed. I had texted a few people (i.e. those not in the Alps, or off to the TdeF or on yet another foreign bike holiday) to see if there was any interest. Six said "Yes" and a further two turned up as well. Ivan and I had taken the train out as had Brian Mac, with Liz, Petar, Steve, Roy and I think Mike G, coming by car - so it was "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" today. Dave H had advised finding an alternate to the Plantation café so the recently opened Chirk Tea Rooms, next to the Hand Hotel, were duly sampled and gained a gold star (it had a toilet, railings outside to fasten the bike to, decent coffee and very pleasant service).

The route to Llanymynech was "agreed" upon, although no one, except perhaps Mike, knew where it was. The sheep were duly lead out via the back of the town on the Glyn Ceiriog road. A few miles of rough main road found us turning left and up past the site of an ancient Henry II battleground in 1185***. The lane now ran high above the Ceiriog valley before coming down at Dolywern. Up the inclined road past Glyn Ceiriog and on to a left turn in Tregeiriog. The next one kilometre plus was a 15-20% gradient with a couple of false summits before we all took a rest at 1200 ft. From hereon in it was a swooping ride of hills, vales and ridges through lots of "Llan" prefixed villages. "Llan" means "place of" or "church of" by the way! We arrive at Pen-y-Bont and take the lane to Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain*. Here the Lion pub seems to be assumed to be the lunch stop, but no, we ride on to the Bradford Arms Hotel in Llanymynech**. 

Photograph by Brian MacDonald

The patron here makes us very welcome even offering his garage as a rain-free bike park. The fare is good as is the beer, and as we hear the rain thundering on the conservatory roof we rue the fact that there is 15 miles back to Chirk. We leave bound for Maesbury and thence through Oswestry. Up and out past the Iron Age hill fort we slosh through the rain bound for Weston Rhyn and the canal aqueduct access to the back of Chirk. As we arrive back in Chirk, Brian Mac heads for the station and I look for Ivan, but by the time I find him, we have missed the train by seconds. Reluctantly, we had to "dry out" in the Hand Hotel bar for an hour. Only 40 miles, but quite a lot of hills and a lot of rain post lunch

The weather forecast was unfortunately spot on today. Light rain started about 12:00 and increased as we traversed the Berwyn foothill south and westwards. It became heavier in the afternoon as promised.

CA

 

*Meaning: Llansanffraid means "Church of Saint Bride" in the Welsh language and ym-Mechain refers to its location in the medieval cantref of Mechain.

 

** Llanymynech: The name is Welsh for "Church of the Monks". The village is on the banks of the river Vyrnwy, and the Montgomery Canal crosses through it.

 

*** The Battle of Crogen took place in the Ceiriog Valley, Wales in 1165, between the vanguard of the forces of Henry II of England and an alliance of Welsh princes led by Owain Gwynedd. Although outnumbered, the ambush tactics and valour of the Welsh aided them in their defeat of King Henry's army. Some sources report that adverse weather conditions also played a major part in Henry's defeat. Those weather conditions however were endured by both sides