10th October 2024 : Bunbury (Mod)

It was good to see rare bird Andy Whitgreave who was accompanying Dave Matthews after his challenging north Yorkshire adventure. It was also very pleasant to meet Chris Evans for the first time. I checked with Chris at the weekend, and he obviously enjoyed his ride, and I expect that he will turn out again when he can. Trevor was nursing a sore toe, so was riding solo locally. The moderate group for the day consisted of Keith, Andy Barber, Ray, Jim, Dave Pipe and me.

Our route out was via the A56, Hollowmoor Heath, Oscroft and Cotebrook. We meandered on little quiet lanes before reaching Alpraham and heading for The Dysart Arms at Bunbury. I had originally hoped that we would reach Tattenhall for lunch, but the troops were getting hungry and Alison’s now seemed too much of a stretch. 

Having lost their winter fuel allowance the lads were feeling parsimonious, so Dave Pipe managed to persuade them to save a tenner by carrying on to The Nag’s Head. Healthy eating Pipey decided to have a starter of black pudding slathered with a thick mustard(?) sauce. The pub atmosphere was very friendly and the food was indeed fine and good value. Keith later mentioned to me how lunch reminded him of relaxed eating with Dave and Liz over past years. 

Certainly, we were all quite laid back when remounting our bikes about four hours later! Our return was straightforward via Beeston Castle, Newton and Hargrave. It had been lovely weather for cycling all day, and the slightly cool headwind didn’t detract from our pleasure. Nevertheless, for a while I took shelter behind Electric Ray’s considerable bulk at an enhanced pace. 

Christleton was a madhouse with hundreds of pupils spilling out of school mainly into bloated SUVs cramming the narrow roads. Dave Pipe suggested taking the next road into Christleton in order to miss the school at this time in future. Andy at this stage had parted for Mold. Keith and I managed a late coffee at Meadow Lea. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable thirty eight miles of scenic cycling in relaxed company.

DH

5th December 2019: Bunbury (mod)

“And then there were none”

The team were greeted by some festive music on arriving at the Delamere café, and a good sized group set off for a steady moderate ride to Bunbury. A short stop in Kelsall gave Dave P the opportunity to ring ahead to the pub and check that they were happy for the group consisting of Dave and Liz on the tandem, Dave H, Steve H, Bob, Fiona, Andy W, Neil and myself to arrive at lunchtime. Having cleared that hurdle we set off along Willington Lane, and past Willington Hall. If you’ve ridden this bit of road you’ll know that the surface is as rough as anything Clive takes us on, so the last time I went down there I filled in a repair  report for the Cheshire Highways. Some days later I got a call from the local engineer to inform me that he’d looked at the surface and it didn’t fit the criteria necessary for a repair! Perhaps they need to lose a few local Range Rovers in the holes before action can be taken. However, the next section has been re-surfaced and a pleasant downhill took us to the A51 where traffic was briefly absent allowing us a quick crossing onto Corkscrew Lane.

The farmers had thoughtfully sprayed most of the surface with a fine layer of post-glacial mud, which makes a change from the usual blackthorn I suppose. The rain that was forecast for 3pm made a preliminary appearance but generally we stayed dry. Past the entrance to Beeston Castle - not many visitors there on a gloomy December day - and on to Bunbury and the Nags Head. The open fire was a welcome sight and we were soon perusing the menu. The meals were good quality and well –priced, but it was soon time to head back out into the gloom.

Dave and Liz set off to retrace the route out, Fiona and Neil felt the need to add on a few extra miles, which left the rest of us to head back to Beeston. Andy then peeled off direct for Chester and the remaining 4 continued down to the Ice Cream Farm and over the twin peaks by Tattenhall Marina. Here Dave and Bob took a right up to Huxley and back to Delamere. Steve and myself continued along Greenlooms Lane where we parted as Steve went right to Tarvin and I continued left to Guilden Sutton. The wind was beginning to pick up now with twigs and leaves blowing across the road, so I was quite relieved to get home to a mince pie and cup of tea. Just 40 miles for me, perhaps a bit less for the group, but a pleasant ride well up to moderate standards.

See route map and/or gpx file download

JD

27th December 2018: Bunbury (mod)

Worries about attendance at Chirk meant that today’s meet was rearranged to start at Meadow Lea Café. This seems to have resolved the worry as nine Easy Riders turned up: Dave H, David M, John W, Jim, George, Keith, Andy B, Bob and myself. The last six made up the moderate group. John and David were each to do their own ride, while Dave as a non-combatant was looking forward to getting back on his bike soon.

I had thought about a ride to try out the Nag’s Head at Haughton, but Google revealed that it was not open until Jan 7th after a change of ownership and a refit, when it would offer “modern pub fare and real ales in a stylish, 17th-century inn with exposed beams and a lush garden” - and probably also more expensive food.  Instead I aimed for its namesake – the Nag’s Head in Bunbury, a little nearer but in the same direction.

We headed out towards Waverton and then crossed the A41 for Saighton and Bruera where we turned left to re-cross the A41 and enter Tattenhall. Next we had a pleasant run towards the imposing Beeston Castle on its steep sandstone crag, then Peckforton, before Spurstow and finally Bunbury, where we noticed that Tilly’s was not open.

The Nag’s Head is in the middle of Bunbury and offers far more reasonable fare than the nearby upmarket Yew Tree Inn and Dysert Arms. I don’t think that Easy Riders have visited before, but we were made welcome and I think the verdict was that it was worth re-visiting.  I enjoyed a filling pie, chips and veg plus a pint for £8.95. Over our food we discussed life in the services and Bob told us his experience of the Royal Navy.  Then we switched effortlessly onto cat stories!

Our return took us back to Beeston Castle, down past the Shady Oak and on to Huxley, then Hargrave and Greenlooms to join our outward route at Waverton. We said separate goodbyes to Bob, Jim and Andy, so that the remaining three made it back to Meadow Lea.  It was a shortish ride of 32 miles, but very pleasant on a relatively warm, dry, windless and overcast day. It was also the last Easy Riders outing of the year. 

A Happy New Year to everyone!

See route map and/or gpx file download

SH