31st December 2015: Shotton (brisk)

There were a few riders at the cafe out for a ride heading towards Tattenhall but I was returning home so John decided to accompany me back to Chester.

The weather was mild but with a threat of rain in the afternoon as we set out from Holt towards Rossett.  Passing the roundabout and heading towards Gresford a right turn to go along Springfield Lane.  Although this is a dark tree overhanging lane the road surface was very clean!!

We continue to the end of the lane passing over the A483 towards Llay and it is the first time in three years since I have taken this route passing the infamous corner!

Continuing on Gresford Lane we encounter the first rain and as it is only 11:00 decide to go right along Gregin Lane.  John stops to apply outer jacket. We have to pass through road flood and just beat a white van through before pulling over to allow him to pass.  We continue heading towards Caergwle and then right onto Kinnerton Road. As the sun is out again we turn left onto Lower Mountain Road and towards Hawarden.

Passing the Gallery cafe we ring Tom to enquire if he is in, to stop and have a coffee but he was out. We agreed to meet in Wetherspoons Shotton for a coffee so John and I head towards Ewloe with the intention to then drop down the hill to Shotton.

Not having a sat navy this proved difficult!

We went round the big roundabout then take the Old Aston Hill turning right into a little lane which ended in a muddy walkway so did a roundabout turn and back onto Old Aston Hill and into Higher Shotton. From here our ride should have been a meander down hill and without noticing we go in a big loop and end up back in Ewloe! via Mancot. When I see the school it is bewildering how we ended up back in the village so plan B to get to Shotton, heading back into Hawarden to take the left turn down the A550 to Queensferry and the B5129 into Shotton.

We arrive in the ‘spoons before Tom and I enjoy a good pint of festive cheer and wait for Tom. He arrives and we get the tale of his Indian trip before Christmas and it is time for John and I to get back into our saddles although it is now raining buckets.

Outside we ride on the cycle way passing the Station to join the Greenway and back home.

John rides all the way back to MT with me before heading back home still in the rain.

An enjoyable New Year’s Eve ride out and 46 happy miles as we were both still smiling through the rain and looking forward to many rides during 2016.  Happy New Year to All

ID

2nd June 2011: Abergele to Shotton (short)

The weather forecast had promised the hottest day of the week as we assembled on Shotton lower station waiting for the 10:04 train to all points west. The four of us, Brian Mac, Trevor, Norman and Jim were well covered in the necessary lotion but had some misgivings about Arriva Wales's intentions to accommodate us.  The web site declared their support for cyclists as long as there weren't more than two per train.  A plan was hatched and we stood in pairs at the opposite ends of the platform as the train arrived.  Not wishing to show any signs of hesitation we pushed on board before anyone could say “you can't bring that on here”.  In no time we were rattling along past the fleshpots of Prestatyn and Rhyl to arrive at Abergele half an hour later.  No sign of the promised sun though!  Only a cool breeze and the hilltops covered in cloud.  We set off' uphill of course (this is Wales after all) along the A548 towards Llangernwy (no I don't know where it is either).  After about 2 miles we turned left (more uphill) onto the lanes traversing the north side of the Afon Elwy valley.
If you are ever tempted to scoot down these narrow lanes without a care in the world-don't.  Round the next corner lurked a road sweeper, filling the whole road.  Hardly had we squeezed past him before a local farmer roared up behind us with a silage trailer, and then came his mate in the other direction.  At last they turned into a field and we were safe, but no, the dustbin wagon.  We were beginning to think that there was some sort of conspiracy taking place but eventually we were left alone to make our way to Trefnant just south of St Asaph.  From there we crossed the Clwyd Valley and climbed up the other side to Treheirchion and lunch at the Salusbury Arms.  The specially brewed local ale was well recommended by Don in his personal chair by the bar but all too soon we had to set off, uphill of course, towards Babell and Halkyn.
From there we swept down to Northop and finally Connahs Quay.  By now the sun was out and so were the local young mums with their muffin tops.  A quick coffee at Weatherspoons and Brian and Norman left to collect their vehicles leaving Trevor and Jim to set off along the fortunately flat Greenway back to Guilden Sutton.  A good ride of 34 hilly miles, or 55 for those from the wrong side of the tracks.

JD