18th October 2018: Whitchurch (mod ride 2)

As it is true for caravans, it’s true for CER riders - the sun really does bring them out in droves! Jim was puzzling over an OS map wondering where to go and I offered to help him cobble together a ride. So we agreed somewhere south via Threapwood ending up in Whitchurch for lunch. We also agreed that, as there were a lot of us, we would eventually and inevitably split up into two groups, but we would both head for “The Wheatsheaf” in the centre of Whitchurch.

So off and out via Wetreins Lane, we had the Briskers flash by us bound for Shawbury. At the top of this lane we had already split into two groups. The “faster group” consisted of Ian, Neil  Bob, Steve T, Keith, Dave M and myself. In Tilston, we turn right for Horton. Here, in the chiaroscuro of a bright autumnal day, Neil unfortunately found a pothole and expertly landed on the grass verge instead of the road. Thankfully his bike was not damaged, and neither was he! By this time the rest of the Moderates had caught us up and this was to be the pattern over the next 10 miles or so.

So out via Chorlton, Sarn and Threapwood, we take the lanes to Whitwell. I knew that Jim would be taking the first left turn on the Fenn Bank road towards Alkington and thence Whitchurch, so I decided to add a few more miles in by going further south. We arrive in Tilstock down tiny lanes before crossing the A41 by The Raven pub - always a dangerous transit here.

Brown Moss nature reserve beckons as we meander through tranquillity with the A41 just a few fields away. We enter Whitchurch from the south, and no UXB activity is evident (see Brisk report). As we arrive at “The Wheatsheaf”, we see that Jim and company are already ensconced at our CER table. The landlady kindly reserved us a table after I had phoned her a little earlier.

I like “The Wheatsheaf” as it was introduced to me by “Watsons Wanderers” cycling group, sadly not led any more by the indomitable Harry Watson. He will be 90 on Nov 5th, and still cycling. The food comes quite quickly given that there are now over a dozen of us. I’ve been here three or four times now and the food is consistently good and fairly priced.

We all leave together bound for Marbury in continuing sunshine. At Bickley, I add a little variety by heading for No Mans Heath and then up to Hampton Post and onwards to the gently downhill lane in Edge. It is then a reversal of this morning’s outward route via Tilston and Wetreins Lane where the Brisk group whoosh passed us aiming to claim the best cakes at Cleopatra’s. Shortly after we are drinking our teas and coffee outside with the Brisk group, Jim and company arrive safely back.

So thanks to my group for their patience as I made up the 43 miler route on the fly and, talking about flying, I hung onto the Brisk group’s tails as they motored back to Chester. Classic autumnal weather and a classic CER day’s riding.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

18th October 2018: Whitchurch (mod ride 1)

Quite a large group of members assembled at the café in Holt on a brisk but sunny morning. The brisk group set off for somewhere a long way away, leaving a dozen or so moderates heading for Whitchurch. Clive’s group began to pull away early on so we decided to split, leaving a small group of Steve H, George, and myself to pootle along the lanes heading for Threapwood. We were soon joined by David M and Andy who were waiting for us at one of Shropshire's famous unsigned crossroads and we progressed pleasantly through Higher Wych to Whitewell where we crossed the A525 heading south towards Fenn Bank. Here we crossed the canal and turned northwards through Alkington and up into Whitchurch.

We eventually found the pub, The Wheatsheaf, after some pedestrian assistance and parked our bikes in the newly refurbished beer garden which will be very nice on a warm day, but not this time. There seems to be a good choice of beers and the staff were very welcoming even when we told them that Clive was on his way. The food was very reasonably priced and a good choice. Service was excellent, despite having a large group to contend with, and we were soon on our way back home.

Through the main street and out on the Marbury Road saw us once again in two groups with Steve T joining us for the return. From Marbury we went north to Swanwick Green crossing the A49 to Bickley Moss, then up to Cholmondley, Hampton Heath and the lanes by-passing Malpas to Kidnal and Tilston, where we picked up our outward route back to the café.

Sitting outside in the sun, we had a well earned drink before setting off for home.
Almost 42 miles. A very pleasant day’s riding 

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JD

23rd August 2018: Whitchurch (mod)

Leaving Utkinton, four moderates were joined by the return of the bionic Macca after an absence of 8 months - Clive, Dave H, Jim and Keith.  The usual mods route by committee with Clive’s Garmin, Dave’s OS maps and Macca’s Google maps saw us do a large circle to the east, in order to cove more than the 17 straight miles to lunch at Whitchurch.  Jim peeled off after 10 miles for other duties whilst the 4 of us meandered through flat, quiet country through Aston juxta Mondrum (there’s a mouthful for you), Rees Heath, Nantwich and Ightfield.

Lunch was at The Wheatsheaf in the High St of Whitchurch where we were pleasantly served from the light menu.  Discussion varied from emigrating to N Z and how to navigate from Wales to Dublin.

On the shorter return journey, we stopped at the newly re-opened Swan pub in Marbury which Clive checked out; it turns out to be a Brunning pub, a breakaway from the well known Brunning & Price group.  On it’s website it says, ‘The pub is an institution unique to England, and there is nothing more English. It is not an American bar, darkened still by the long shadow or Prohibition; not a French cafe, where people sunnily drink aperitifs on the pavement; not a Bavarian beer-hall, full of swaying and noise” ..........Michael Jackson (the famous beer writer not the slightly well-known singer).

We rode back through Chorley, Bunbury and Tilston hoping to beat the rain forecast for 3pm ish.  Sheltering in The Old Fire Station at Tarporley with cake, we missed one shower before returning to Rose Farm.  Macca was glad to report no ill effects on his new knee (not sure about the rear end) having covered 53 miles at 12.6 average

Macca

Photo by Macca

See route map and/or gpx file download