2nd January 2025: Neston

A baker’s dozen CER members turned out at Meadow Lea on a bright but cold and frosty morning. Ken, Dave M and Shane were only out for coffee and Trevor was leading a foursome of mods. That left six of us (Steves Hu and T, Alan, Roy, Nick and Ray S) to form the ‘mod+’ peleton. The plan was to go to The Courtyard Café at Brimstage, following a route last travelled two years ago. But as we shall see we would not reach that destination.

We’d agreed to take things carefully as conditions weren’t ideal, so our progress was ’steady’ as we headed along Salters Lane and then joined Fox Covert Lane which runs along the back of Chester Zoo from where animal sounds could be heard. Having crossed the Shropshire Union Canal at Wervin, we soon doubled back to cross the busy A41 at Backford and head down Station Road.

A sharp right turn took us on to Demage Lane and the cycleway that runs alongside the railway line. To our relief, it was not icy, the fallen leaves having stopped ice forming. However, at the end of the path there was a large patch of ice causing us to dismount and walk the bikes past. Crossing the A5117 took us onto Dunkirk Lane and past the Urenco works at Capenhurst where Andy B spent several happy years.

Only a little further on disaster struck. Steve Hu, Alan and Roy were running directly ahead of me on a straight stretch of road when I hit a patch of black ice that they must have just successfully ridden over and, in an instant, I was down on the tarmac, bouncing on my shoulder, forearm and hip  - Ouch! It took a few minutes for me to recover and re-mount, but we pressed on.

However, only a short distance past Ledsham Garden Centre, Alan had a puncture. We stopped at the entrance to a large house to fix it, but it took two goes and the use of a ‘boot’ patch over a cut in the outer before we could carry on. Whilst the repair was underway we discussed curtailing the ride as time was passing by and I was feeling sore. Ness Gardens Café was an obvious possibility, but they weren’t answering the phone. Ray suggested the Blue Bicycle in Neston and a phone call secured a table for six at about 12.30.

Having crossed the A550, we wound our way into Willaston and picked up Hadlow Road which took us over the A540 and onto Dunstan Lane. This lead us down into Burton and thence past Ness Gardens and into Neston and the Blue Bicycle café. The table in the upstairs room was soon filled with ‘Breakfast Burger’, ‘Baked Jacket Potato’ and other delights along with pots of tea and a bag of ice cubes for Steve T to put on his sore shoulder. The Blue Bicycle certainly delivered and is worthy of another visit.

It was soon time to leave and the route home took us to Little Neston and down onto the boardwalk across the marshes.  The first part of the path was caked in sheep droppings and other agricultural muck, so any thoughts of getting home with a clean bike were dashed – especially for Alan. The path was also flooded in several places, but all was traversed without problems.  Steve Hu and Alan left us where the ‘blue bridge’ crosses the Welsh Road, leaving Steve T, Roy, Ray and Nick to press on. Ray headed for home as we passed Chester so it was a threesome who finally arrive back at Meadow Lea, where Dave H and Ray B had just arrived back from the ride that Trevor has reported on below.

Only about 34 miles covered on an incident filled journey. Note that the gpx file attached came from Steve Hu’s Wahoo and he started his ride from the ‘blue bridge’. Thanks to all for their company and support.

ST

See route map and'or gpx file download 

4th January 2018: Rock Ferry (mod)

Our first CER ride of the New Year saw 8 members meeting at Ness Gardens with Clive, Bob and Steve H coming just for coffee and N Y-well wishing.  Macca had promised a Wirral ride covering some previously un-ridden “roads” by CER and in anticipation, Ivan, Mike G, Steve T, Tom and Macca set off north to Parkgate.  This ride should have been billed as “Edwardians at leisure” as we soon arrived at the site of the outdoor swim baths; today it was packed, not with human “bird watchers” but with RSPB members all staring out onto the Estuary, hoping to see for raptors hunting vermin escaping the very high tide. (see photo)

Photos by Macca

Onwards and eastwards brought us flying past Raby Mere, the site of Edwardian pleasure gardens, boating lake and tea-rooms up until the late 1960s, if my childhood memory serves me correctly.  Continuing through Mill Park, followed by Carlett Park, we arrived on the banks of the very high Mersey at our 3rd Edwardian playground – the long gone zoo, bear-pit and pleasure gardens at Eastham Ferry.  In bright winter sun, we headed north to the 21st century equivalent at Port Sunlight River Park, built on a 15 year old landfill dump and opened in 2014 (see photo 2).

Hearing stomachs rumbling I called 15 minutes to the pub, at which the speed increased noticeably.  We cycled for the first time ever along the old Edwardian sandstone promenade at Rock Ferry, which usually has a 6 foot drop to the “beach”, where thousands came from Liverpool to sunbathe and swim.  Today, as you see from photo 3, we nearly had to swim ourselves.

The Refreshment Rooms looked after us as well as ever.  Only open 5 years, it has gained from early-on a deserved reputation for serving excellent food as well as local beer, both locally sourced.  Its “Mission Statement” posted in the Gents, even declares that staff are locally sourced.
Though I had previously promised by e-mail a ride of 70 odd kms, the accurate BBC weather app I always use showed we were due 80 kms westerlies from 2pm.  After a hurried lunch, I elected for the shortest route back to Ness as we set off straight into that headwind. Bebington Station, Sunlight village, Clatterbridge, Brimstage, Raby, Willaston, then up and over Mill Lane took us back to Ness; we still covered an enjoyable 58 kms. (Well I still think of myself as European) at an average 18 kph.

Macca

7th April 2016: Neston (mod)

When I threw back the curtains I was greeted by rain battering the window. At this point I would have decided that it wasn't a good day for cycling. However since it had been my suggestion to meet at Meadow Lea instead of the Little Roodee Café (currently closed) I felt obliged to turn up. Besides the weather forecast said the rain would clear around 10.00 leaving just the wind. So I got myself ready and I got my bike ready and I waited for the rain to stop. Sure enough, just before ten it did, and off I went for the short cycle to Meadow Lea.

It was obvious from the number of bikes outside the cafe that other cyclists had also had their eyes on the forecast and the place was already buzzing. Because I was local I had a number of circular rides in mind but one in particular seemed suitable, as we would be cycling into the wind on the way out and have it behind us in the afternoon. I didn't know a suitable place for lunch though so Brian suggested The Wheatsheaf at Neston that he had heard served a reasonably priced 2-course lunch.

Eight of us set out on the moderate ride, these being Steve H, Dave H, Keith, George, Chris, Jim, and Brian Macca with me leading. We turned north out of Meadow Lea and into the wind. Our route took us out through Mickle Trafford and Picton, round the back of the zoo and over the canal to Chorlton where we turned left to cross the A41. At Mollington we joined Sustrans route 56. We followed it alongside the railway and up through Capenhurst & Ledsham before crossing the Welsh Road.

Shortly after this route 56 turns down a farm track and through a farmyard and it was just after this that Keith's front tyre punctured. As is often the case with slim line bike tyres it was a struggle to get off and a struggle to get back on again. Nothing could be found inside the tyre so it was with fingers crossed that we continued on our way. Route 56 turned off along the Wirral Way as we carried on up Heath Lane and in to Willaston. From here it was up to Raby then left towards Neston, crossing the A540.

As we approached Neston I let Brian use his local knowledge to guide us to the Wheatsheaf.  After 50p for a pint of lime & soda last week this week's asking price of £1.95 came as a bit of a shock. Brian had been right about the cost of the food though. £5.65 for 2 courses seemed like a good offer. Service was a bit slow, though, partly because they didn't seem able to overlap the courses. Consequently six of us had to sit and watch Keith & Jim eat their starters before any of us got a main course. Some found the food a bit disappointing too. I guess you get what you pay for sometimes.

Photographs by Brian MacDonald

After lunch we crossed Burton Marshes, played dodgems with the lorries on Deeside Industrial Estate and headed over to the River Dee where we followed the path towards Chester. We were making good progress now with the wind behind us and could have been back by 15:00 but our ride wasn't over yet. At the Ferry Lane bridge we crossed the river and headed out towards Bretton and Kinnerton. Jim left us here to take the short cut home while the rest of us continued on a loop around Lavister, Pulford & Eccleston. We were now heading in the direction of home. At Handbridge we said goodbye to Chris (home), Brian (cafe) and George (back to his car). That left Steve H, Dave H, Keith and me to complete the ride back to Meadow Lea via Hoole Lane & Guilden Sutton Lane with 47 miles clocked.

TC

1st August 2013: Birkenhead

With the long ride happening today, only a select group was expected at Little Roodee. It turned out to be very select with just Brian Mac and Steve, though Bryan joined us for coffee at the start. 

Brian proposed a tour of the Wirral and we set off along the River Dee to Hawarden Bridge and then across Burton Marshes (PIC 1) before striking out NW for the Mersey shore by way of Port Sunlight. Passing the Lever Art Gallery our eyes were caught be the sight of a dozen new and shiny cycles, including a tandem, set out on the grass.  With a small detour we discovered a young guy who’d just launched a cycle hire enterprise (www.wirralcycle.weebly.com).

Photographs by Brian MacDonald

Shortly after we hit the shoreline and followed this on generally quiet roads and tracks to Birkenhead and a photo stop (PIC 2) with Liverpool and the Three Graces behind us. Just up the road was Gallagher’s Pub and Barbers. Yes a barbers!, though drinking and having a haircut at the same time don’t mix – you get hairs in your pint. It has the distinction of being a CAMRA Merseyside pub of the year. It served good beer, but unfortunately not food, although they were open to customers bringing their own from the café at 32 Market St. 

After our stop we headed for the seaside and the crowds, passing a pirate ship made from driftwood swarming with children (PIC 3), as we followed the Wallasey shoreline to New Brighton and loads of families enjoying the hot sunshine. Weaving carefully through the crowds we then followed the north Wirral coast to West Kirby, there picking up the Wirral Way and heading speedily down to our afternoon tea stop, Elephant Coffee in Neston, winner of the Café Society’s Gold Award (PIC 4).

Being on his doorstep, Brian headed home shortly after and Steve continued back until meeting the Greenway and heading home to Kelsall. If we’d returned to the Little Roodee it would have made a 62 mile round trip.

SH