7th February 2013: Lower Peover

It felt a bit bleak at Manley Mere, but once inside the fire was toasty and the staff friendly. Bryan, Paul, Ray, Jim and myself were soon snugly installed with hot drinks. Andy, back from the sun, and David M were there for a chat but not riding.  Dave and Liz Pipe arrived later, and then Mike G made a welcome appearance. Ivan’s positive progress was discussed, and we look forward to his return.

Jim had a route, and I offered to lead until lunch (and add a few twists). We were soon climbing toward the hairpin on Sugar Lane, past David Yeo working on a sandstone wall. The fast lads had been asked to rein in initially, as we had unintentionally split in different directions here in the past. We turned right at the top of Pingot Lane, and wound up New Pale Road up to the old Kingswood Hospital site. The views were panoramic on these lofty heights before we burrowed down Dark Lane into Kingsley village. The tandem had already had a testing workout with only a few miles covered. Roddy Lane was quiet, but had an unnerving surprise of sheet ice around a corner. I was convinced I was going to ‘do an Ivan’, but finished upright on the grass after some fishtailing. We avoided the B-road by reaching Acton Bridge via The Cliff. 

We had spent some time winding, climbing and waiting without getting very far. We now could make more effective progress on a straightforward route to Comberbach and Great Budworth. The steep bank to Willow Green was the only cause for some delay. It was raining, and the known delights of The George and Dragon were very tempting.  Indeed for Dave and Liz ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ Pipe, the temptation was unsurprisingly too much. In fact none of us can remember the last time the tandem managed to pass this particular hostelry!   Those who have ridden tandems will understand, that a return ride with rain and more steep slopes to face, made their decision a no-brainer.  As it happened, the remainder of our ride to lunch was flat and largely dry.

Pick Mere appeared deserted down on our right. For many decades this was a very popular destination for day-trippers. There were boats for hire, a lively fairground and a large café well capable of handling charabanc loads of people. During the Second World War many evacuees were housed in hundreds of chalets around the lake and in the local area. We turned left in Higher Wincham, navigated the busy A556 and made steady progress down Plumley Moor Road. We were persuaded that The Crown would provide a warmer welcome and better value than The Bells of Peover. This snug C17th. Pub was indeed just what we needed, and we stayed for an extra coffee.

The shorter return route had us heading for Lach Dennis and then through the attractive village of Davenham. Jim’s faultless navigation and Paul’s memory successfully found the Weaver crossing at Moulton.  The steep left in Whitegate was avoided, and we crossed the A556 just west of Hartford, and the A49 at Bryn, passing the site of the old Eden Vale yogurt factory at the edge of Cuddington.  At Ruloe the last climbs back to Manley began, up through Norley and Delamere Forest. We tried two different ways after Spy Hill, but neither Dark Ark Lane, or Delamere Lane and the steep bank by the Goshawk, avoided the usual demanding, grinding last effort for tired legs. As I was strapping my bike on the car at Manley Mere it was nice to be joined by Bryan and Jim for coffee and cake. 44miles in the usual excellent company or 60 plus miles for those riding from Chester.    

DH

15th November 2012: Swan Green

It was real struggle to ride the 14 miles out to Rose Farm; it was cold, foggy and my legs were already gone after two weeks decorating leave!  There were eight of us in all (Ray, Mike M, Mike G, Dave H, Dave M, George, Paul and myself) although a phone call from Dave P advising a delayed departure, meant there would be 10 of us at the chosen lunch venue, the Crown at Swan Green. Dave M had suggested this as a good lunch venue earlier in the week, so I came prepared with a shortish 41 miler. 

The route out to Winsford was via Whitegate Way, which was bestrewn with Mother and Baby Club walkers and the usual dogs and their unaware owners.  Minimising the architectural delights of Winsford, we exit via the eponymously name Clive Green Lane on our way to the further architectural delights of Middlewich.  Over the M6, we have no real alternative but to take the quiet A50 north out of Holmes Chapel towards Cranage.  Thence over the M6 twice more as the sun shines and the Crown comes into view.  A decent pub this; George recalls we have visited it before but it's a first time for me.  The lunch discussion is varied, but the straw poll on those who intend to vote for the local Police Commissioner is only one in eight of us; this turns out to be about the national average as well!  As we finish our main course, Liz and Dave arrive and order an uncharacteristically small repast. 

As we set off to return with the winter sun in our eyes, half the group shoot off in the opposite direction to the leading group.  Not sure why, but the planned route home is only 17 miles!  We five (Ray, Paul, Mike G and Dave M) cross the M6 for the last time bound for Lach Dennis and Davenham.  Here we utilise the "Dave M Golf Course" manoeuvre to access Foxtwist Green via Vale Royal golf course from Davenham.  As we approach Little Budworth I decided not to go the same way back as out, since I can't remember ever riding through this pretty village.  Dave M decides he wants to go another way here, not sure why really since our route is back via Eaton and the bifurcated Heath Green Lane. The circular route is 41 miles although the remaining four riders returning to Chester will have clocked 65+ on the day.

CA

7th May 2009: Swettenham

Photographs by Ray Hardman

Mike emailed on the 6th suggesting Swettenham as the destination, together with an outline route. A few minutes to get the route into the Garmin and all was set for the day, which was forecast to be sunny but windy.
So in bright sunshine and with a westerly wind on my back I arrived at the Windsurfing Centre to join Graham, Jim, Mike, Dave H and Dave McW the signalman (on his way to work) for tea and a chat. No dissenters on the route so eyes down for Swettenham, but keeping an occasional eye out for a good pub. Mouldsworth Hill warmed up an already warming day and the jerseys were soon opening like the leaves in the hedgerows. The lush vegetation, with its array of freshly blossoming wild flowers, was to be a constant feature of the day. We headed out via Great Budworth and Plumley at an easy pace as we knew we would have 40 miles against the wind on the return leg; so by the time we had reached Swan Green - just after Lower Peover - it was 1:30pm and lunch was beckoning as we spotted The Crown. It was warm enough for lunch in the beer garden so we could nurse our bikes while we sampled the menu. Luckily, lime and soda was just within spec. at £1:30p and we were well satisfied with the baguettes and jacket potatoes.

A little philosophy (How will society replace the pub?) and also (Where will our legless youth migrate to from the club?) and then we were ready for the off as we had only completed 30 miles and still had 40 to do. Down through Goostrey and Twemlow Green where a photo opportunity presented itself with the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in the background. Then a minor disaster: a Google map 'road' turned out to be an Ordnance Survey track to Kermincham Hall in Swettenham. Can this be a Ray route, he who does not do tracks? After reaching Somerford as the most easterly point we started to turn into the wind to head back via Brookhouse Green and Brereton Green before taking the back lanes to Middlewich to cross the Shropshire Union canal. Legs were tiring against the wind and the pace was dropping, prompting Jim to phone home to give his ETA as 'sometime this month'. Graham still had 40 miles to do back to Prestatyn so the rest of us couldn't moan. So with Dave peeling off at Cotebrook, Mike at Tarvin and Jim at Vicars Cross it was left to me to take Graham back for some carbo loading and moral support before setting him off into the wind for his final 22 miles to give him 124 for the day; the rest of us managing around 80.
RH