3rd November 2016: Loggerheads (mod)

It was a cool, grey, gloomily dark and rather drizzly Welsh day when 7 hardy CER souls descended on Alyn Waters to test the Welsh hills. Erm, please do tell why we decided in our recent collective wisdom to dispense with Alyn Waters as a venue? But chose to include Delamere Forest instead? [For clarity: Delamere will replace Manley Mere, and Chirk will replace Alyn Waters for winter meets; effective only when blog is updated - SH] At Alyn the coffees and teas are great, the breakfasts are a joy and the prices are easy on the pocket. Yes, the hills are a bit of a challenge, but if you want to go to the edge of exultation you have to look the snake in the eye, don’tcha? Anyway, having garbed up against the cold (a soul-less 8 degrees!), clipped on the lights and donned the hi viz, Kate, Ray, Andy, Dave Pipe, Brian Mac, Steve H and Jon B set off.

Photos by Macca

Intrepid Andy led by default since it’s his home patch, but all were astonished by Dave Pipe’s choice of fixed wheel after recently returning from holiday and falling off his tandem!  Some people know only pain… It was an uneventful drift down a single-track lane to the day’s first semi-serious climb! No holding mountain goats Andy and Ray as they powered effortlessly away leaving lesser mortals to battle with the challenging gradient. But bliss came quickly as we turned right into a racy descent during which we were blithely informed, as everyone clung gingerly to their bars and brakes, had a narrow bridge at the bottom!! And yes, it sure did!

Rain fell steadily, although Macca was quick to tell all that since we were so high and among the clouds it wasn’t rain – it was merely water droplets condensing … but it sure felt like rain to us! There were many points of discussion about which way to turn to avoid the arduous hills and since it wasn’t a day for seeing the vista laid out before us we chose easier options. Or so we thought.

We sauntered gaily down quiet Welsh lanes until we came suddenly upon a very sharp, short but challenging hill, with a gentle s-bend and two descending walkers coming down the leaf strewn road. Most tried. Some succeeded. A few climbed off. And one fell off! It was at that point that I thought we had come to Little Switzerland! Apart from a brush or two with a couple of articulated trucks at narrow island points on a long uphill drag there was nothing else to report until we reached the pub for lunch … which blithely informed us they didn’t do food! Argh! [Note: Apparently the publican is selling-up.  This is one of our favoured lunch spots, so will need to be removed from that list. SH]

Thus the group split with several riding off to Loggerheads café in search of sustenance and others taking a welcome and well-earned draught at the pub. Conversation bounced around from crosswords to Kate’s six-year cycle of bike servicing! (Not recommended!) Etymology was also a point of interest on a somewhat wet day with the general agreement that the original word for an umbrella = a bumbershoot – should still be in use … a bit like Alyn Waters! The group compacted at Loggerheads where they do a mean curried parsnip soup and we rode gently home, assured by Andy that the “worst was over”.

Me, I’m always astonished at how much new building work is being undertaken as we ride around the countryside, often in the most remote and isolated places. We toiled up a few more hills and the “condensation” thankfully stayed away, although the gloomy darkness made lights a must-have on the wooded, wet lanes. But the best was yet to come with a thrilling Alpine descent, a real eyeballs out and bum firmly gripping saddle riot of a downhill into Frith. Scary but distinctly satisfying!

After which point the “locals” left and I marvelled still at Dave’s tenaciously gutsy performance on the fixed wheel machine knowing how my legs felt on a bike that offered 17 other options! Back to base then with just a last sting in the tail of a(nother) testing short, sharp climb.

We’d battled the condensation, beaten the cold, compromised over lunch, ridden gamely and been led wisely. We’d churned out 32 excellent miles at a steady 11.3 mph average, climbed 2,800 feet and thoroughly enjoyed the day and the company. Andy set off on his second lap and Ray went to find some harder hills. The rest of us went home stirred and fully sated by the day’s challenge.

JB

28th January 2016: Loggerheads (mod)

There was a good turnout at Hawarden, considering the terrain, weather forecast, time of the year, etc. Ivan and Tom were flying to Ruthin, Mike Gilbert was sloping off for the lanes around Chester. The remaining pack was a mix of amenable animals with some pedigree, and a few fat mongrels: George, Jim, Mike McCormick, Trevor, Liz D and myself. George and Jim agreed a route that was largely to be downhill, wind assisted and expediently short after lunch.
George led us out at an ideal pace to Northop, past the horticultural college and on to Halkyn and Pentre Halkyn. This includes that small, wince inducing stretch of the A55, where you are half expecting a smack from behind from a wide load. George's expert knowledge of the area persuaded us to stretch as far as Babell, before heading south to Lixwm. This was all very pleasant, with an easy pace, and the weather holding up, so far.
On hitting the A541 at Nannerch we had less than a couple of miles, before we were back on lovely back lanes, tootling south to Cilcain. We were not sure if the landlord would be in a good mood at Cilcain, or be able to serve us quickly, so we ploughed on to Cafe Florence at Loggerheads. It was becoming a little damp, but not enough to warrant a costume change if you weren't a Pipe. I am told that relatives of Clive had owned the cafe. Anyway it was busy, friendly and the soup seemed particularly lip-smackingly tasty.
The bad weather looked like it had arrived; it probably had a name like "Storm Dia"! Jim had been away, and was not up for too much meandering or many more hills. Route one for home was fast as we hoped, with Trevor describing the swoop down the Mold by-pass as "exhilarating!" The rain wasn't too bad, and we soon reached Buckley. I turned left at the lights, but had nobody behind me. I turned right for Knowl Hill, and guessed a route past Drury that brought me out on the A550, about a mile from the car park at Hawarden. I believe the others had not got the lights, but had gone straight down to Ewloe, and then right to Hawarden. I think the rain had stopped on the last stretch. Whatever, we were not cold or soaked, and we were back in good time.
A thoroughly enjoyable ride in relaxing company. One of those days when you think, "Is it worth it?" the night before, and finish up being really glad you made the effort. The basic ride was about 35 miles.

DH

1st May 2014: Loggerheads

The six of us, George, Dave H, Keith, Tom, Petar, and Jim were joined by Trevor for morning coffee to the hits of Cyprus, courtesy of Spiros and internet radio. All very Mediterranean, except for the weather, which actually wasn’t too bad while we planned the day’s ride. I had an idea for a change to the usual thrash up towards Prestatyn by swinging west towards Cilcain and Llandegla. A bit hilly, but should give us good views of the Dee valley and surrounding hills. Everyone seemed to like the idea, so, with the exception of Trevor, who had just joined us for refreshments, we set off into the light patter of occasional raindrops. Not too bad, I thought, if it stays like this we’ll be ok. Unfortunately, the forecasters were right and I was wrong, for as soon as we reached Northop the intensity of the rain increased, necessitating a stop for waterproofs before joining the A55 briefly at Halkyn.

We steadily climbed up to Halkyn Mountain to views, not of the Dee Valley, but of misty hilltops and glowering cloud. Once on the top, we went southwards through Rhes-y-Cae and Moel-y-crio to cross the Mold-Denbigh road and head steadily upward to Cilcain. 12:15 was too early to stop for lunch, though by now we were pretty wet through, as the rain hadn’t stopped once, so we pressed on towards Loggerheads. The road, which skirted the east flanks of Moel Fammau, was by now streaming with brown water, grit and sand, though the local drivers didn’t seem to think it much of a problem as they sped past throwing huge waves of water skywards.

The original plan of going to Llanferres was abandoned in favour of Café Florence and it was with some relief that we entered the Country Park some time later, only to see the café in darkness. Our hearts sank as we began to prepare to mount up and ride up to Maeshafn. However, one of the staff came out to tell us that they had had a power cut, but could offer hot drinks, soup and toasties.

Saved again! We wrung the water out of our gloves and joined the only other customers near the window, as it was too dark further inside.

Carefully unpeeling our sodden maps, we plotted the return journey, and decided to cut out any thoughts of visiting Llandegla in favour of a short, speedy return to the car park. Accordingly we set off uphill through Cadole and Gwernaffield, skirting round the west of Mold to Soughton. We then picked up our outward route at Northop where George left us for an early bath.

The rain had eased a little by the time we had loaded the cars but we were too wet to care at that stage.  Only about 30 miles but far enough for the conditions. 

JD

29th September 2011: Ruthin

Caergwrle rides mean hills and this week’s ride featured a lot, 3000ft of ascent according to Bike Route Toaster.  The weather was mid 20’s and rising and the sun shone all day with hardly a cloud in the sky.  An extraordinary summer’s day – but in autumn.  The lunch stop was the Anchor in Ruthin, and rather than going up the Minera Steps, I thought a meander up Summerhill and Brymbo to get to Bwlchgwyn would make a nice change.  OS maps don’t seem to indicate chevroned roads here and there were a lot of them as there were also curiously, a lot of pubs.  Up, around, along, down then repeat the sequence until finally we passed the old ironworks that Brymbo is known for.  Here Norman was struggling with the heat and wisely decided to call it a day.  We also seemed to have lost Dave Hill, who was out for the café breakfast, and Liz and Martin who also disappeared.

Bwlchgwyn

Photographs by Alan Jeffs

So we six (Alan, Dave B, Dave P, Ray, Janet and myself) continued up again to meet the Minera Steps road.  Heading through the Llandegla Mountain bike centre, we made it out to the A5104 bound for the roundabout just before the Horseshoe Pass Road.  Taking the quiet lane on the right, and at 1200 ft, we now enjoyed nearly 5 miles of ridge riding with magnificent views of the Clwydian range to the right and the Berwyns to the left.  Taking a right at the T, we accelerated off the hills and down via wooded valleys towards Llanfair Dyffryn. The hedge cutters had been out, so caution was needed along some of these lanes.

Llandegla Forest

The Anchor was quiet and the £5.95 menu fair was served up promptly.  A few lime and sodas were also downed to reset the fluid balance.  We discussed the return route, which originally included the steep ascent to Moel Fammau.  With the temperature rising, we acknowledged that we would re-route by going toward Nant-y-Garth.  A loop out of the town to warm up the legs found us out of Llanbedr and then the B road to Graigfechan.  Rather than take the main pass road, we took the 3 mile long ascent out of Pentrecelyn to the top of the pass.

Top of the old Nant Garth road

Decision point: which way home?  Loggerheads for tea was agreed upon, and we sped down to Llanarmon and onto Caffi Florence, just getting our order in before closing time.  Leaving for home, Dave B split off to get back to Connah’s Quay as the rest of us cut across country via Swan Lane back to Caergwrle.  The lanes at “going home” time are a particular hazard as a few scraps with vans and cars evidenced.  Ray and I split off to go back to Chester via Kinnerton as Janet took the train at Penyffordd; Dave P went back to Chester another way and Alan picked his car up in Caergwrle.  The out journey to Ruthin was 25 miles but the return was 29 miles making a 54 miles extremely enjoyable, if hot and thirsty ride. Thanks go to Dave P for being the back marker for most of the day and well done to Dave B for not giving up on the hills.  For me, it was just short of 80 miles as I reached home with the sun low in the sky.

Addendum: Three times during the day my Motorola Defy satnav and phone was shaken loose from its bike holder by the potholes and bounced down the road.  Not a scratch on it, and still working.  Ray had a front wheel puncture in Kinnerton and changed it in record time.

CA

5th May 2011: Carrog

Tudor Café - fuel up for the hills to come - and so it was as ten of us (Mike M, Dave & Liz P, George, Bryan, Brian, Andy, Ray, Alan and I) set off bound for the “The Grouse” at Carrog.  Taking the Cymau road to Ffrith, the legs were nicely warmed up thanks to two single chevron sections.  A second left along the B road eventually took us upwards via quiet lanes to Rhydtalog, followed by a slow climb past Llandegla to the Ponderosa roundabout.  The back lane off this roundabout, which runs roughly parallel to the A5104, offers stunning views over the Vale of Clwyd and out to sea - or would have done if the weather was clearer, but nonetheless a veritable feast of Clwydian hills were on view.  Rejoining the A5104 briefly, a quick left took us up a slow climb around Llantysilio Mountain to 1400 ft.
Pausing to regain our corporate lungs, and to admire the view over the Dee Valley and the Berwyns, we set off down the very steep descent to the Old Coach Road that would take to Carrog and the pub; - or would have done if my rear wheel had not been punctured - still, as everyone lay on the grass and let me get on with it, I mused that this was the first puncture I had succumbed to in 5300 miles of cycling.  Rapidly descending, we were soon in warmish sunshine on the Old Coach Road and near our lunch stop.  

Photographs by Alan Jeffs

The Grouse pub had an attractive outdoor covered seating area that gave panoramic views of the Dee Valley, the A5 and the smoke from the steam train at Carrog Station.  Lunch for 10 was promptly served and tasty it was too.  One to come back to in the future methinks.  “Are there any hills after lunch?” - well “Yes” is the answer to that question, and we were soon on the back lane out of Carrog ever upwards to rejoin the A5104 at Bryneglwys.  The Tandem Two left us here bound for Westminster Park.  Whereas we briefly rejoined part of the route out to join the Nant-y-Garth pass road near the top of its winding path.  Mike M was the second defector making his way Delamere bound.  The rest of us took the lane to Llanarmon-yn-Lal as the rain started.  They have the right idea here - the local pub was the polling station for the day - a perfect combination of politics and beer.  “Do you want to go home via Caffi Florence or via no café direct to Caergwrle?” - and so left we went via Llanferres to Caffi Florence.  By this time the forecasted light rain came down a bit harder as we sat with our “Coffi a chacen”.  Eventually we had to leave in the rain, climbing up the main road towards Mold before taking the near hidden right by the pub towards Nercwys.  The rain had stopped as we made our way to edge around Hope Mountain by Leeswood and on to Caergwrle.  Brian shot off to the station and was soon into his first pint awaiting the Wirral train.  Alan and George were car-assisted, and so the remaining four took the familiar route back via Kinnerton to Chester.  The loop from Caergwrle was 45 miles with lots of climbing and the Chester group had nearly 70 miles on the clock.

CA

23rd December 2010: Moel Famau “Ride”

Due to sub-zero temperatures, snow and icy conditions today’s ride was cancelled.  Not to be out done an intrepid group of six met at Loggerheads for the walk up Moel Famau with not a bike in sight.  Lunch was taken at The Druids Inn, Llanferres.

Photographs by Ivan Davenport & Clive Albany

See the route as recorded on Clive's new Memory Map Adventurer 3500 gps.

27th May 2010: Ruthin & Graham’s bench

This must rate as one of the best CER rides ever, but was enjoyed by just four members: Bryan, Clive, Ray S and Dave P.  Yes, it was one of Bryan’s hilly rides from Caergwrle, but no we didn’t start by going over the summit of Hope Mountain, although it might have been easier if we had done so!  The ride itself was a modest 56 miles at an average speed of just 10 mph but included some 2,000 metres of ascent.  Highlights: a significant section along lanes none of us had done before, hail as we descended down into the Vale of Clwyd (in what was otherwise perfect cycling weather), the lunch stop pub (White Horse at Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd) closed on Thursdays, Clive and Ray’s favourite recipes discussed over lunch at the Anchor Hotel in Ruthin (the nearest open hostelry), the tranquil setting of Graham’s bench where we reminisced about past rides, the climb up Bwlch Penbarras, the view over the Vale of Clwyd from the top and the 40 mph dash down the other side to Loggerheads, bara brith and coffee at Caffi Florence, more hills on the journey back through Cilcain, Soughton before the descent to Broughton.

Photographs by Bryan Wade

The day had started with a look at the map when I noticed a road down to Llanfair Dyffryn in the Vale of Clwyd from Llanarmon-yn-Ial.  “Was it doable?” I asked myself: the middle section was a white road but it was worth a go I thought.  The alternative would be to go up “the steps” across to Llandegla and then down from there.  I’ll put it to the group over elevenses at Caergwrle and see what they say.  At Caergwrle he weather was good but there still only three of us having tea by ten to eleven.  Brian texted to say he had a cold and wouldn’t be joining us and then Dave P arrived.  None of us had done the Llanarmon route but it looked a lot more interesting than the alternative so we all agreed to give it a try.
Bryan led off over the shoulder of Hope Mountain to Pontybodkin crossing the main road and up the climb (two chevrons) to Treuddyn.  By this time we had settle into the pattern for the day: as each hill came I changed down to the lowest cog while the others surged past and we regrouped at the top.  We continued on the narrow lanes down to Cae Gwyyd and up the other side (two chevrons) before emerging at Eryrys for a quick check of the map.  It was southwest from here but with another climb (two chevrons) before dropping down to the River Alyn and into Llanarmon-yn-Ial.  The new lane lay straight ahead and we climbed gradually up to the pass with a photo stop at the top looking over the Vale of Clwyd with dark clouds gathering overhead.  Then within 50 yards we were descending on the white road (a rough track), great for mountain bikers but testing the bike handling skills of us roadies to the limit.  Safely down the steep rough section we were soon back on a surfaced lane for a fast descent through biting hail to the valley bottom – great!  A short ride to lunch at the White Horse in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd was followed by bitter disappointment when we discovered the pub was closed on Thursday lunchtimes.  No problem; with Ruthin just up the road we set off at top speed and made for the first hostelry we could find.  The Anchor Hotel did us proud with a wide range of meals for £5 a head and Young's ale on tap.

Photographs by Dave Pipe

It was already late when we set off into the town centre so that Clive could refill his wallet while the rest of us admired the townscape.  Then we were back riding northeast on the lanes to reach Llanbedr Hall for another track up to the Woodland Trust site of Graham’s bench, a little quite contemplation and some photos.  Leaving the tranquillity of the woodland behind we were soon struggling uphill on the lower slopes of Bwlch Penbarras where there were too many cars coming down for comfort.  Two of us chose to walk the hairpin (only one chevron) before remounting round the bend to continue on to the summit at a steady pace.  More photos at the top before Caffi Florence at Loggerheads beckoned and we started the fast descent.  After coffee Dave decided to make his own way back “staying in the hills” he called it while we went up the nearest hill (one chevron) towards Cilcain.   I had planned to cross the river at Maes-y-groes but my shouts from the back of “take the track on the right” went unheeded and it was Cilcain before we gained the other side with a climb up from the valley floor (one chevron), and the first sign of complaint from the troops.  In truth it was all over: Gwernaffield-y-Waun, an easy climb up to Soughton, Buckley, Bilberry Wood and a nice descent down the Warren to the Cheshire plain at Broughton.  It was getting on for 18.30pm when we arrived back in Chester after a superb day: it just doesn’t get better than that.
Nine chevrons of ascent (if you’ve been counting) but no doubles today.

BW