29th May 2025: Overwater Marina (mod+)

 It was warm with a blustery SW wind when we gathered at Rose Farm, so it was no surprise that Neil was not there. If there’s one thing that the ‘wind whisperer’ hates, it’s….wind! Lol! Also absent was Steve Hu, who was on grandpa duties, so a quiet ride would be guaranteed (ha,ha!).

I hadn’t expected to lead today, but as we sorted ourselves out into groups of similar ‘talent’, a mod+ team of Alan, Kevin and myself dropped out. Fortunately, I had put a route down to Overwater (Audlem) Marina onto my phone, so was able to load it up onto my Wahoo.

Turning left out of the car park, we ran down the hill and turned right into Wood Lane, which has to be one of the roughest lanes in Cheshire. We soon crossed the A51 at Clotton and whizzed along Corkscrew Lane, heading  for Huxley  and  Brassey Green, before dropping down the hill past The Shady pub and across the canal. Then came the long drag up to Beeston Castle, from where we took Moss Lane to cross the A49 and run into Bunbury.

Pushing on south into increasingly strong gusts of wind, we crossed the A534 at Brindley and swept on through Larden Green and Chorley, heading for Wrenbury. From there, we swung eastwards through Sound and soon arrived at The Café at Bridge 80, our lunch-stop. The café was busy and we were warned of a 20-minute wait for food, but quiches and ‘full breakfast’ soon arrived.

Before setting off back, Alan set about adjusting the limit stops on the front mech of Kevin’s bike.  He’d had problems changing onto the small chain ring and couldn’t get onto the big ring at all.

Adjusting

To Kevin’s delight, the adjustments were made so that all three chain rings could be used, so we set off back long Cool Lane now with the wind (mostly) behind us. On reaching Nantwich, we avoided the town centre by going through the lakeside park to cross the River Weaver, emerging through the houses on the north side, where we crossed the A51 and ran past Rease Heath College.

Crossing the Shropshire Union Canal (again) at the Venetian Marina, we continued north to Cholmondelston and Wettenhall. Now we swung westwards, into the wind to climb the long hill through Eaton to arrive at the summit on Tarporley Road, near the Portal Golf Club.

From here we ran down Heath Green to cross the A49 and join Utkinton Road, from where it was a short run back to Rose Farm.

44 miles covered on a warm, sunny, but blustery day. Thanks to Alan and Kevin for their company and encouragement on a day I struggled (again) on the hills.

ST

See route map an/or gpx file download

24th August 2023: Audlem (mod)

There was a good turnout of moderate riders at Rose Farm. I welcomed a short catch-up with Ken and the fleeting visit of John Wilkie, but Clive was the only Brisk Group rider available for a club ride today. Trevor and Jim joined us for coffee, but not for the day. The moderate riders were Alan, Ray, George, Mike Gilbert, Dave Matthews, Mold Andy, Matt and myself, with the addition of Clive. Cafe at Bridge 80 was to be our destination. 

We made brisk progress to Rushton, by Oulton Park, and onto Wettenhall, passing the lane to Matt's  brother-in-law's auto-electrical business. If you have intractable electrical problems with your car, this is definitely the guy to go to! I was intending to go through the park at Nantwich, but we were likely to arrive a little early for lunch; a Clivesque loop was called for. From the edge of Nantwich we headed to Acton and then took a double left past Madam's Farm at the back of Dorfold Hall estate. This lovely quiet backwater becomes Tally-ho Lane before it hits Marsh Lane, and we turn  right for Ravensmoor. At Sound we cross the A530 to Broomhall Green and head down to the moated Hall o'Coole, and ten minutes later we arrive at Overwater Marina and Cafe at Bridge 80, with a respectable twenty-four or so miles covered. Marquees were being erected on the canal side ready for the approaching Bank Holiday we presume, and, after ordering, we decide to eat in one, sheltered from the cool wind. The food is very appetising as usual, and it turns out that this is the first visit for Dave Matthews, as well as Clive (and Matt?). Of course, Dave Matthew's much-loved Priest House cafe, his normal port of call in the Audlem area, has ceased trading. 

Photo by Alan O

For the return journey we retrace our route for a few hundred yards and then carry on toward Audlem before taking an acute right turn at Brickwall Farm, and heading to Aston. The route is then a familiar one: Wrenbury, Larden Green, and onto the narrow lanes, that normally take us across the A534 at Brindley. For a change, we ignored the normal left turn, reaching Burland and then carrying on up Long Lane in the direction of Haughton and Bunbury. This option is too perverse for Dave M, who made his own way north. At Radmore Green, I wanted to show Haughton Hall to those who hadn't seen it, so turned right at Hall Lane. This option was too perverse for Clive who made his own way north! I did have doubts about leading Matt on the trike, in particular, up this lane as it's a bit rough in places. Haughton Hall would be an idyllic place to live, and did have rooms to let. By chance, we then caught up with Dave M near Spurstow Hall. At Bunbury, Mike, Matt and  Ray had to push on, while Dave M, Andy, George, Alan and myself enjoyed coffee and cake at Tilly's. The last leg had just myself and George heading back to Rose Farm. Tilstone Bank, followed by Sapling Lane and Heath Green out of Eaton, were challenging climbs as ever, but we steadily pegged away reassuring ourselves that it was doing us good. Overall, we had enjoyed a proper little lanes Easy Rider relaxed day with friends. About 45 miles covered. Many thanks to Alan for, once again, taking the photograph.

See route map and/or gpx file download 

DH

1st September 2022: Audlem Marina (mod)

Arriving at Rose Farm at 10am, there were already a host of bikes outside.  There were so many Easy Riders that we’d taken over two large separate tables at each end of the café. Maybe a combination of good weather which was expected to break at the weekend and the onset of Autumn.  I’d heard on the radio that morning that 1st September was the first day of Meteorological Autumn, which apparently is different from Astronomical Autumn which is the 22nd of September. If that’s confusing, consider sunrise and sunset, which differ between astronomical, nautical and civil. The mod riders were Dave H, Steve T, Dave P, Steve Hu, Alan O, Trevor, George and myself.  Jim and David M were out, but not joining the ride. Dave H suggested Audlem Marina as a destination which found favour as a new lunch stop for many. However, Dave hadn’t worked out a route so I offered to lead the way out.

Photos by AO

We headed towards Clotton and with Steve T in the lead were about to turn into Corkscrew Lane, when a cement lorry heading towards us swerved onto our side of the road before making the same turn.  Steve would have been under the wheels if he hadn’t dodged the vehicle. Just the incident when a helmet cam would have provided footage for the police. The rest of the ride was less eventful.  We passed by the Shady Oak and up to Beeston Castle before taking the lanes to Bunbury, then south to Brindley, Larden Green and Chorley Bank to enter Wrenbury. From here we made for Sound before Dave took over the lead to guide us onto Overwater Marina on the Shropshire Union Canal about a mile north of Audlem town. The site looked idyllic in the bright sunshine with water lapping and geese swimming. 

We sat outdoors on two tables as the food was prepared At Rose Farm, Nick had recommended the Staffordshire Oatcakes which I chose and were very tasty. Conversation at my table inevitably centered on the wasps that made lunch less than totally idyllic, but we stoically carried on.

SHa.

After a very relaxed light lunch, socialising in the sun, we meandered lethargically from the canal to Coole Lane. Our aims on the way back were to avoid any part duplication of our lanes out, and to have slightly shorter, but pleasant return route. Perhaps, we would have time for a coffee before the end? The main road just south of Nantwich wasn't too busy, but we soon turned off on the well-maintained grit paths the other side of the little lake.  Although I take the dog for a walk by the river about twice a month when visiting Nantwich food and vintage markets, I hadn't been on these particular paths for a while. Trevor inspired confidence just ahead of me, and soon we were leaving the parkland and heading for Welsh Row. Welsh Row is full of buildings of character and history. The website “A Dabber's Nantwich” provides plenty of interesting historical information about this road. We then wiggle our way back into the countryside passing Henhull Hall before crossing the A51 and reaching Reaseheath College. It seems a shame to see so much house building going on greenfield sites around Nantwich. I haven't seen any that looks affordable for young people. A familiar route directly north takes us over the Shropshire Union Canal at Venetian Marina and up to Cholmondeston. The weather is warm, and the lane is rural and easy going, but for too long there have been stretches of poor road surface to take the shine off for cyclists. The Drays Coffee Shop would seem a good place for a nice cake and coffee sitting at the back looking across the fields. I just need to check my map, as my instinct is to turn right towards Rushton, but my domestiques rein me in, and who needs a map when we have our trusty local yokel, and master guide, Steve Ha. The people at The Drays are very friendly, and their coffee and juicy berry flapjacks are just the job. This is a first visit for some, and I am sure their reviews would be very favourable. Passing some young polo ponies on our way out, we climb straight up to Portal and across the Tarporley by-pass. We are soon back at the rough little bank before Rose Farm. We have covered forty-five very enjoyable miles in excellent company.

DH

See route map and/or gpx file download