15th January 2026 : Tiverton (mod +)

A cold start for me on route to Meadow Lea, in order to meet the crowd, literally! 

Meadow Lea was rammed, in fact Shane couldn’t park (that’ll teacher him to get up earlier and ride in -Lol. I reckon there were possibly 17 of us on what looked like one of the best days since before Xmas, as there was virtually no wind and no rain expected. Still chilly, but almost summer like compared to last weeks ride- Lol.

I had a plan to ride to the Lockgate on the A49, which is a quirky cyclists cafe, rarely visited. I got outside expecting to have my usual small group, only to find I had 9!Clearly the fast boys were feeling lazy and decided to tag on to yours truly. So, my band of merry men consisted of Shane, Toby, Kev aka ‘very nice man’, half of the CB’s in the form of Allan, non elec Ray, Chris, yours truly and the electric interlopers (Clive & John)

As we set off right, I was instantly wondering about my cafe pick, as 9 is more of a crowd than a group. The obvious alternative was Tilly’s, but that’s not much bigger really. However, I decided we’ll decide closer to the venue, but in the end the decision was taken out of my hands- Lol.

My first surprise for the group was to turn into Ince Lane, off Warrington Rd, which I am never too keen to be on. Ince Ln ultimately dropped us into Dunham On The Hill, via a nice little kicker. I heard somebody behind me suddenly realise where they were when they said “that’s a different way to get here” and then somebody else said, “where’s here”- Lol.

After turning right and then double left, we were then heading toward Manley Mere and enjoying another lovely stretch of smooth tarmac, which would become a theme for the day, as I had hoped I had remembered a lot of the new tarmac in the area. That brings me to the local councils and their efforts to keep the roads in good order, which I know many of you moan about, especially Jim -Lol.

I think they do very well at repairing the roads, that’s coming from an ex southerner. The roads up here are 10 times better than down in the shires ( Oxford & Buckingham, my old stomping ground)

It wasn’t long before we were crossing the A49 and starting the steady long 3 mile- ish haul up to the top of the Sandstone ridge via Kelsal, turning right at the Crows Nest cafe for a few more mtrs uphill. 

We turned left at the top of Chapel Hill and carried on up along Tirley Ln, after a few hundred Mtrs I turn right, strangely, still Tirley Ln, all the way down the fast descent into Utkinton.

We passed Rose Farm and descended into that horrible little kicker, which we all moaned about, except for the Electric interlopers of course, as they flashed by, chasing after Chris, who was leading the way uphill again, with me bringing up the rear, along side ‘the very nice man’. Now into the top of Tarporley high street I turned immediately left up the hill, which seems to get longer every time I ride it- Lol.

10 minutes later we were hurtling down Sapling Ln toward Eaton, in order to turn right, ultimately heading around Tarporley, because that high street is awful to ride through. It was now time to consider a diversion, if we were to find another lunch venue and I suddenly thought that Alison’s wasn’t that far away and a better option than Tilly’s, which meant turning right at Brook Rd, in order to get to Brassey Green. However, I suddenly realised the breakaway group were out of sight and we were therefore committed to riding the busier stretch of the A49, which I had intended to avoid. 

Anyway, we caught up with them at the traffic lights of the A49 junction. We should have done a little 2 mile meander in order to come out at the Tiverton junction, just 200 mtrs up the A49 from the Lockgate cafe, but the breakaway group buggered that up-Lol.

Slightly shorter route than planned, we arrived at the Lockgate cafe and fortunately there were 3 tables along side a big radiator- Oooh! We settled into our orders and spread ourselves across the 3 tables.

There were a few comments from those who hadn’t been there before, admiring the cycling memorabilia, in fact, Chris was taking photo’s of some of it whilst also admiring the rusty old frame outside, with no wheels and in fact no paint. Clearly he was thinking about his next bike, possibly an even better bargain than the £35 special he has been riding with us- Lol, Lol.

I was sat with ‘the very nice man’ and CB1 and there was no shortage of conversation, although most of it revolved around bike components as I tried to answer Kev’s questions. He is looking for a solution to his wife’s arthritis in her left hand, which makes it impossible to change gear so he was considering Di2, which I do have on my Look.

However, it just so happens I was on my Whyte on the day, for the first time this year, which happens to have an Apex 1 SRAM gear system , with double tap gear lever on the right brake lever. For those who may not know about SRAM gears, the double tap system means you select up and down your gears with the one lever and the perfect solution for Kev’s wife, who wouldn’t have to use her left hand at all (apologies, as I can’t remember her name-Lol) Anyway, food interrupted conversation, after a short-ish wait, which was good value, in the current over priced cafe market.

We set off again for a short return to Meadow Lea, via Tiverton and in the words of Clive “not the Tiverton in Devon”-Lol. We are soon through Brassey Green, with a very light tailwind and swinging around Black Swan corner, as I call it, heading uphill toward the 50p shop, which prompted somebody to ask me if said shop was still there, to which I responded with yes  “and the cafe is still going”.

A few minutes later we were passing very close to Okells ( one of the best cafes in the area, although a bit pricey for most)

After crossing the river Gowy, catching the traffic lights just right, we cruise past Walk Mill cafe and wind our way into Waverton, although the breakaway group were still out front and in fact simply carried on to Meadow Lea by turning right in Waverton and completely forgetting about the ride leader, who was bringing up the rear, again, with the very nice man’, because he is a gent-Lol. I tell Kev to turn right through the housing estate, as it might help him to catch them up, not that they cared mind you, which left yours truly suddenly riding on my own without so much as a by your leave- Lol.

So I wiped the tears from my eyes, as it dawned on me I was alone and set about finding my way home, as clearly there was no point in me going back to Meadow Lea. I just hoped that ‘the very nice man’ did catch them up. I got home 7 miles later with 50 miles on the clock and an unusually slow AS, which was 13.9 Mph, but it was hilly, although I think that just reflects the lack of winter miles and fitness.

A cracking day again, with no rain and some great company. It’s a good job the chatter box didn’t make it today other wise this would have been the longest blog ever.

Till next time gents,

See route map and/or gpx file download

NT

2nd May 2024: Beeston (mod)

Rose Farm was the cafe of choice this week and only my second ride in 3 weeks, due to the lurgy that seems to have affected half of the population. Suffice it to say I turned up to be sociable and to ride a lone, easy meander. However DH had other intentions - Lol. My short local meander, taking in some of the best local land marks, appealed to more than DH. And so, I gained  7 followers, who managed to follow me all the way home - Lol. The 7 were  DH, Roy, Ray 1 & Ray 2, Mike G, Mike D (he’s the one with the shirt on his head in the photo- Lol. I think he was doing magic tricks, entertaining the others on his table- Lol). DM was also in the group, but he left us early, somewhere around Bunbury.

Anyway, we set off left out of Rose Farm and straight into my first meander, which was to avoid the usual nasty little climb toward Tarporley by taking Fishers Green & Ridge Hill. No sooner back on Ukington Road, we turn left up Heath Green and  my 2nd meander. This well know CER short cut not only circumvents Tarporley, which I hate, but also gets us across the A49 and quickly on to the more interesting lanes. At McDonald Portal golf club we turn left toward Eaton and a nice little descent. Barely a mile or 2 under our belts and we are already passing Drays cafe, which I point out to Roy, which became a common theme-Lol. That reminds me; I was informed, by a Bunbury resident, who I was chatting to only hours after completing the London Marathon, that Tilly’s has been sold. However, it will reopen somewhere near the Co-Op- apparently!

We are soon on one of my favourite lanes, after skirting Oulton Park, which even if you didn’t know the lanes, you would have known where you were from the noise coming from the race track ( I believe it was practice for the British Superbike event over the coming bank holiday) The scream of the super bikes was diminishing fast, due to the very light headwind, as we track slightly upwards toward Bunbury on ‘The Hall Lane’ ( what a crap name) Anyway, you get a fabulous view of the comtryside through here, as the lanes are  very exposed, with no hedgerows. After a couple of miles we are descending down into our first photo opportunity at my all time favourite canal lock ( Tilston Fearnell.) I make no excuse for leading the group here again, as it is a gem of a spot, that most of us know, not just because of the scenic canal spot, but also because of the lanes that lead in and out. After a quick team photo ( included) we are soon in Bunbury, although not via the usual route. I take the group on another meander through a lovely little lane that brings us into the back of Bunbury. Not a lane that most cycling clubs are aware off and not one for winter. Even DH was unfamiliar, prompting him to ask where we were.

We exit Bunbury via Peckforton Hill Lane, as I wanted to get another group pic at the entrance to the stunning Peckforton Castle. I did suggest climbing up to the castle, for a quick look, as most people in the group have not seen it before. However, time was against us, as I knew we had to make the cafe before the lunch time rush. The castle is really worth a look and is a stunning luxury experience, especially if you stop over night and dine at their  triple A restaurant. The castle is not in fact genuine, despite its glorious facade. It was in fact built as a home by John Tollemache, who bought the 36,000 acres and became Lord of the manner, after he was made a peer of the realm for his services to agriculture. Many of the cottages in the surrounding area were in fact built by him for his workers, apparently more than 200. Most of that land is now part of the Bolsworth estate.

Anyway, back to our ride- Lol. It was only a mile later when we stopped again for another photo (Beeston Castle this time-Lol)

We now follow the lane around Beeston mount and turn right toward the ‘Shady’ pub, on the canal bank. 300 mtrs later we turn right towards the quaint village of Tiverton and our destination, now only a mile away. After a quick 300mtr descent on the A49, we arrive at the Lock Gate cafe and grab the remaining two outside tables. If there was any doubt as to the temperature going up, my Garmin was showing 36 degrees, although it was sat in the sun- Lol. Some of our food orders were a touch on the slow side but all very good though. I’m guessing Mike’s meal was one of the slowest, which might explain why he was doing party tricks- Lol.

There was so much conversation on our table that I have forgotten most of it, although I do remember Ray getting all sentimental about his beloved 18 year old BMW, despite the rusty wings- Lol. It was difficult to drag ourselves away from the cafe, due to the sun and scenery. However, after cracking the whip, we get moving, not before we all drool over the gorgeous Aston Martin Vantage parked by our bikes.

We set off in the opposite direction to our arrival and after a few hundred mtrs turn right up Beaston hill (that’s what I call it) Bit of a kicker straight out of the gate, but short. Only a mile or so later and we are swinging up past Beaston castle again, but the other way this time and heading for the Ice cream farm at Tattenhall ( a blast from the past) That reminds me. On my arrival home, I was sat out side the front of my place and got chatting to a dog walker, who happens to live on a barge in Tattenhall Marina. Anyway she informed me that the Marina cafe is finally open again, but not everyday at the moment ( Second time in a week that I chat to a stranger and learn something about a local cafe- Lol). 1 kilometre further on and I depart my little group, at the crossroads. Home for me was just 2 miles away and so I set the guys off in the general direction of Huxley and the optional routes to Rose farm from there on. DH was confident he could find there way- Lol.

As usual a pleasant ride and one of the shortest I have lead. I got home with 40 miles on the Garmin and I imagine the rest of my merry band of men got back to Rose Farm with a similar total, depending on DH’s maps- Lol.

What a lovely day, some cracking lanes and scenery along with great company, as usual. It was nice to see Mike D, after a lengthy hiatus away from CER. He was telling me that he had lost his Mo- Jo, but he’s found it again now ( I guess it was in his garage- Lol) We were blessed with the sun and low winds today, not to mention no mechanicals or punctures, although Roy did manage to snap one of his laces, during lunch, which he had to then cobble a repair- Lol.

Till next time gents.

Neil.

Photos by Neil T

18th April 2024 : Tiverton (mod)

There seemed to be slight desperation and apprehension in Ray B’s email in which he was asking who will lead a ride today as Dave H was away. So, I couldn't let Ray be there with no ride leader could I?

I’d only ridden to the Station Cafe from the top of Kelsall Hill as I had driven over today not relishing an hour’s ride back in the advertised late afternoon rain. I was at the cafe first and a bit worried that I would be the only one. I needn't have worried because soon there were eleven of us - Ray B, Steve T, Mike B, Andy B, Alan, Shane, Matt, Jim, Trevor, and Dave P.

After a bit of discussion, Steve agreed that his ride to Goostrey was a bit far east given the afternoon rain’s 1500-1600 arrival, so I put forward a circuitous ride to Tiverton - no, not the Devonian town but that just south of Tarporley where the Lockgate cafe is nicely situated at the bottom of two hills.

So with the usual disarray, we set off up towards Hatchmere and Norley enjoying the first of many Road Closed signs and road repairs of the day. We turn right up Gallowshough Lane where there is supposed to be a Neolithic and Bronze Age round barrow in the field - but I think it has been ploughed out but there is a reference here. 

At the end of this tiny lane and after two cars and a big tractor, we re-group and turn right down and up Stoneyford Lane thence crossing the A556 road onto a short section of the A49. Passing Cheshire Polo Club, it’s into Longstone Lane bound for the Whitegate Way where we briefly meet Dave M and Andy W on their Bob Clift’s Ride check-out ride.

At the bottom of Whitegate Hill, we turn off right for the run down into Winsford passing the rock salt mine with its allied deep document storage business. Jim and Trevor decide to go their own way here as we circle the roundabout to kiss the edge of Glebe Green and Hebden Green areas of Winsford. It's now a run down Blakenden Lane behind Cheshire Constabulary’s HQ. This lane in common with many back lanes in Cheshire, has seen better days. A short stretch of the A54, quaintly called Chester Lane, takes us towards Little Budworth and Oulton Park motor racing track. It’s a short run now passing east of Tarporley and crossing the A49 and a fast descent after 22 miles to Tiverton Bottom and the Lockgate Cafe.

I had booked ahead for 12 riders and we were now only 9 riders, but our tables were reserved in this busy cafe. The food came fast enough and was judged to be of good quality. I was using the time at table to work out how I had misread my original route for today which meant that we had arrived at the cafe a little early and how I could now make a passable return ride. This is the problem with complex cross-over routes especially those assembled in a hurry. 

The problem had been that I had cobbled together today’s ride in about 10 minutes before I drove off to Kelsall - I didn’t want Ray to be leaderless and disappointed, or worse, that he would have to plan a route and lead it! So with a failing phone battery, I now cobbled a corrected return route back to Delamere. We set off up the A49 and into the back of Bunbury using the delightful Wyche Road village bypass and thence Bird Lane; lanes which were first introduced to me in 2009 by Ray Hardman no less. Here Andy, Shane and Matt struck out for home shortly after the group photo.

They are a trusting group!

At Alpraham, where we use a short section of the A51, we head north for Oulton Park again via Rushton. Crossing the A49 once again at Cotebrook, it’s a straight run back to Delamere with nearly 37 miles ridden. About 1430, a light rain is evident - so quite a bit earlier than advertised. I branch  left onto the A54 to Kelsall Hill and my car, where now the rain has upped its game, whereas the others head for Delamere Station car park and home.

I can’t remember the last time I led a Mod ride with 10 riders trusting in my routing. However it does make you appreciate how the Dave H’s and Steve's tirelessly put up and lead routes for your delectation. 

No one will mind if one of you were to offer to lead a ride - it’s how we all learnt to do it!

See route map and/or gpx file download 

CA 

Photo AO