16th January 2025 : West Kirby (brisk)

A very sunny day was in prospect albeit with a cold start. I arrived first at Ness, then wondered if I was at the right venue, but Dave H then arrived and a further 5 Easy Riders turned out today. Steve T was still recovering from his ice-dancing incident so two groups formed : The Mods with Dave H, Electric Ray, Kevin and Trevor; The Fast Lads with Chris, Ivan and myself.

A month ago the Fast Lads had a novelty ride around Wirral with lunch at the the Spoon's Old Dee Hotel in central West Kirby. Today's route would steal some of that ride and weave other interesting roads into it. It should be sub-tilted the “climb every mountain” ride as we scaled Prenton Hill (253ft) and then Heswall Heights at 315ft via Irby hilltop.

We started off in the opposite direction by going due East via Little Sutton and Overpool to the Rivacre bottom at 43 ft. Climbing out via Eastham Village, we run through the country park to then take my new favourite link aka the old railway cutting alongside Unilever’s industrial site at Port Sunlight. Today we cut Northwest via Bebington and Higher Bebington to Mount Road on Prenton Hill ridgeway.

Diving down to Heswall Island, we take the very popular cycle path along the Fender river to Upton station. A quick left and right finds us in and out of Moreton’s extensive estates thence hitting the Meols seafront. It's a short run down the railwayside cycle path to the Old Dee Hotel. The food comes quickly along with an excellent pint of dark ale. Ivan tells of the time in July 2007 when he was in London on railway business at the time of the appalling London Tube and bus bombings - he was actually in a taxi almost behind the bus that exploded! 

Along Meols front

The way back enables us to enjoy 6 miles of continuous uphill cycling after sliding through the big houses in Croft Drive East in the valley in Caldy - not to be confused with Caldy Valley! Maxing out in Heswall at 315 ft, it’s all down hill though Leighton and Neston back to pass Ness Gardens after 39 miles. 

Ivan and Chris elect to travel back to Chester over the marshes to the Greenway whilst I cycle on through Burton and Puddington and on the A540 towards Chester. I was back indoors by 1515 and my solar array display showed a perfect half circle confirming what we already knew that the sun had been out all day thus producing a few kilowatts of free electricity for me.

So, I was little surprised that there weren't more riders out on a sunny day, but  thanks to Ivan and Chris for their company and patience today as we weaved our way down roads anew to places well known.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

16th May 2024: West Kirby (mod)

Despite a bad weather forecast for mid-afternoon there was a decent turnout at Ness. The sky had been blue and promising on the way to the venue, and the temperature was ideal for cycling. In order to save time this week, Steves Hughes and Tan were doing static warm up preparations using a MadMuscles App and café chairs.

Dave Matthews had cycled all the way from Oscroft for our meet, so not surprisingly was returning home. Trevor also was riding back but accompanied us for some miles; both, no doubt, had the threatened wet afternoon in mind. So, the slow group initially consisted of just Big Ray and myself, but Mike Gilbert changed his plans and kindly accompanied us in case of a likely attempted homicide. Mike was a valuable guy to have along, as he is the only one who had framed parchment orienteering certificates on his wall at home and could map read effectively as well as follow routes on a Garmin. Ray actually knows The Wirral well, so his subsequent bits of advice at rural junctions he no doubt felt were useful. It would have been more useful if he had led the ride and written it up! As I told him on the route, It was good to have an intelligent lieutenant at my shoulder, but Steve Hughes was with the other group.  

We gave the coastal route from Eastham to New Brighton a miss, and I thought we could have lunch in Hoylake at a venue perhaps recommended by “local boy” Ray. We set off on roughly the same route as a few weeks ago: through Burton, Oaks Farm,and around Willaston to Raby. Our intended route from Brimstage to Storeton was not possible as a big bruiser of a concrete lorry forewarned. We turned west to Heswall, and at Irby Hill skirted Royden Park and swooped through wealthy Greasby and into West Kirby. The possibility of rain had looked threatening from early doors, but it was not cold or windy and the countryside had looked attractively lush where we had managed to stick to back lanes. Mike had resisted an early stop at The Farmers Arms, but roaming around Hoylake for a lunch venue was a stretch too far if we were to avoid the worst  of the expected rain. Ray had fancied the café on the front a few weeks ago, but we gave it a miss as it was likely to be too busy in such a prime place. This time we gave it a go, and turned into the park on Banks Road, entering just before a group of old codgers even slower moving than ourselves. The service was excellent and the food was fine, but we only just made it, as the tables soon became full. As we left Mike pointed out the plants that had been ruined by seawater in heavy flooding just a few weeks ago. As widely televised, despite the fancy new sea defences Tanskey’s Bistro was flooded, and basement stock ruined. They have made an admirable new start.

It was spitting with rain from the moment we unlocked our bikes for the return ride. As we pressed on towards Neston on the Wirral Way the rain increased, as I unsuccessfully tried to avoid the mud from Ray’s back wheel. Mike set a strong pace at the front. Views across the Dee were blotted out by grey cloud down to river level. However, we were back to the Ness Garden’s Car Park in about fifty minutes and not too wet. Steve Tan, Alan and Steve Hughes arrived shortly after, as the rain stepped up to another level. Mike had already set off for Wales, and I hope Alan and Steve didn’t have too miserable a ride back.  Us “mods” had only covered thirty two miles, but as usual were glad we had made the effort.

DH

1st February 2024: West Kirby (mod)

There was a decent turnout at Ness, and it was enjoyable to have a bit of banter with our friends in the aspirational group. Please note that this banter was of the air fried 2024 variety with absolutely no hints of Micky Flanaganism. So, the leisure group consisted of Andy and Mike from Wales, Trevor who had ridden from Guilden Sutton, myself “from the edge of Frodsham”, and Ray from round the corner. Never having led on The Wirral, I chose a route that avoided too much urban confusion, and was largely along quiet lanes through the middle of the peninsula. Our destination was to be a café I thought I could rely on in West Kirby.  

In order to stretch the miles out a little we headed south west to Burton before hitting the A540 near Badgers Rake House and then heading for the Oaks Farm track and the nice backwater lane with attractive houses beyond. At the Willaston-Hooton road we turned right, and then first left and on to Raby. Without a Garmin, I just had to check properly at the Raby mini junctions before carrying on up to Thornton Hough, Brimstage and Storeton. It is invaluable in these moments to have the know-how of Mike Gilbert (British orienteering champion 1905-1908 ) and Trevor’s Caravan Club field-seeking navigation skills. I would also like to commend the help from Ray’s local knowledge, and Andy’s vast audaxing experience, but I can’t: these two were as much use as the proverbial chocolate fireguard. 

We were crossing our fingers on approaching the M53 underpass just before Storeton, because last time it was impassable with floodwater, but we were alright; the drains must have been cleared. From Storeton we headed west to Barnston, then to Pensby, Irby, Irby Hill and round Royden Park. It was at this stage that I recognised The Farmers Arms at Frankby, where I was privileged to be handed the baton as club secretary by Bryan Wade a few years back. 

We finally approached West Kirby via well-heeled Caldy, passing the former Moby Dick a popular meeting place for the young in the swinging sixties. I led the troops to the café I thought I could rely on, but it had been demolished! Ray had suggested the café on the front, but we guessed it would be too busy in such a popular location. We headed back down Banks Road where I had spotted an attractive corner café with some tables available a few minutes before. The food at Cibo Italiano was very good, and the service was friendly, but it was a bit busy for just two people running the whole operation. We left for our return ride a little later than desirable. 

The views along the remodelled seafront were as attractive as ever. Ray led us down the side road for accessing The Wirral Way. It was helpful that the guys were happy to use the Wirral Way to ensure a flat and direct return. They were willing to tolerate some bike cleaning when they got home. I am not so sure that they would have been so happy on a £6,000 bike, but at a rough estimate our five bikes together wouldn’t meet this evaluation. Like last week’s ride to Overton, after a full twenty something miles out we had a short, fast, largely wind-assisted return.                              

Photo by Mike G

On returning to Ness we arrived just as the aspirational group also arrived. This avoided any problems for Steve Tan and myself as we had shared a lift, but Steve had left his mobile at home. I remember a similar problem a few years ago when Steve had arrived at Jim Dale’s and waited ages in the garden in very cold weather for our return. Thursday is when Diane takes her returns to M&S in Chester, so there was no one to take him in!  Anyway, today we had enjoyed a mainly rural route in good weather and relaxed company. I particularly appreciated Mike and Andy making the effort as I know that they had already been on rides with their Welsh friends this week. About thirty-one miles covered today just from Ness and back, more miles for Mike, Trevor and Andy.     

DH 

29th January 2015: West Kirby (mod)

With Brian Mac’s warning of gales, snow, rain and plagues of locusts, it was with some trepidation that myself, Dave H and Steve T set forth onto the Greenway into the teeth of a stiff breeze. The cloud cover threatened, but we arrived at the café at Ness a bit late but dry, and hopeful that once again the meteorologists had got it wrong. However, hardly had the brisk group helmeted up but it began to snow in Alpine quantities. The car park was soon covered in about an inch of wet snow, but they bravely set off into the unknown. Steve decided to go for a burn and joined the group leaving Dave and me to fly the flag for the moderates. We hung around for a while waiting for the blizzard to go over and set off southwards for Burton. The riding was tenuous to say the least not helped by the local drivers who clearly had little understanding of how to drive in wet slush. We slowly climbed up to the old station at Willaston, the snow steadily turning to rain and the going becoming easier as we continued north to Thornton Hough. Any thoughts of abandoning the ride were forgotten as we headed up to Brimstage and Storeton under steadily clearing skies. 

We ignored any temptation to take the unsurfaced Landican Lane at this point and turned west towards Barnston and then Irby. We even had a few sunny spells as we continued northwards to Pensby, Greasby and Meols. Our enthusiasm got the better of us briefly and we took to the sea front just outside Hoylake. The ‘breeze’ was well into double figures here and after struggling into a freezing head wind, we soon moved inland to get the shelter of the suburbs. Once into West Kirby we opted for a café instead of the usual pub lunch and found a very enticing establishment sporting a Victorian veranda that is probably very pleasant in summer but not at the end of January.

The service was speedy and despite the cosy interior we were soon heading back along the Wirral Way with a strong tail wind. Back at Ness we received a message from Clive that Steve was heading straight back along the Greenway, unfortunately having to stand around for a very cold hour before we arrived. Dave stoked up the Mazda however and Steve soon thawed out. A total of 56 miles in probably the worst conditions for a long time.

JD

4th June 2009: West Kirby & Seacombe

A cooler day is forecast with plenty of sun and a light breeze; just the right stuff for the bike so let's see if we can make the most use of it. I catch Jim's wheel at Capenhurst and Graham (P) is just tying up as we sail into Ness. Tea and teacakes and a free top up for the tea (you've got to ask) and we're ready for decision time. Graham and Jim have the same idea, they think I have a route in mind - I haven't. 'Look, it's getting warmer, it's sunny and it will be nice at West Kirby - let's go there.’ 'O.K.' times two.
Down to the Wirral Way, it's dry so we're OK, and the day is improving. 'How about fish and chips on the sea front?' 'Sounds good to us.' The day improves a little more. Visibility is good and the views over the estuary to the welsh hills are stunning but we have to leave them for a while as we drop into West Kirby where Harry Kwok is preparing some fish and chips for our appreciation. Will the tyres need a little more air to cope with those chips? We risk it and are soon settled overlooking the Marine Lake, with the views restored and the sun also playing its part. Over-indulged, we continue through Hoylake to Meols where we can return down the Wirral or carry on to New Brighton. Graham fancies the latter so we continue along the cycleway, keeping the sea on our left. A small interruption for ice creams at Moreton - where the 'mill' turned out to be a lighthouse, doh! - and we enter New Brighton's cafe society. 'May as well complete the route to Seacombe and check out the Vale Park café.' Acquiescence. We enjoy the architecture at the ferry terminal and follow this with an enjoyable cuppa at Vale Park. Then, with a light wind on our backs, we head back to West Kirby, but this time we take the cycleway from Hoylake station to Riversdale Road. This is a good surface, pleasant and avoids the main road. After snacks al fresco we are back on the Wirral Way, only to come off at Willaston (Jim is our Garmin substitute) where we take the Missing Link so that we can leave Graham at Capenhurst Lane (to complete his 91miles) whilst Jim and I take the gated Sustrans offering to Backford. We part at Mickle Trafford for our 70+ miles for the day; a day with virtually no traffic, no hills and stunning scenery all the way. I think we made the best use of the day.
RH

18th September 2008: The Wirral Coast

Riding out from Chester to Ness Botanic Gardens for elevenses on what promised to be one of the best days of the year (weather wise that is) I was delighted to discover that the new Lodge Lane bridge over the A5117 was now open or as the workman explained “it’s open for you but not for the general public”. Say no more: the days of risking life and limb to cross the dual carriageway are over. That aside, now back to the ride log. Two riders met up at Ness Garden’s café (one on a recumbent tricycle) and once suitably refreshed rode towards Neston to join the Wirral Way. We then followed NCN route 56 through Thornton Hough and Brimstage to Storeton where we turned right and headed towards Birkenhead. Once in Birkenhead, Woodside provided its usual superb views across the Mersey to Pier Head, and then it was on to the Seacombe Ferry Terminal before joining the promenade to New Brighton. Lunch was taken at the busy Vale House Café before continuing along the coast to Hoylake and West Kirby to regain the Wirral Way back to Ness Gardens Café for afternoon tea and cake. The final leg back to Chester was completed via the new Lodge Lane bridge.
Distance from Chester and back 58 miles with 717 metres of ascent: from Ness Gardens and back about 40 miles.
BW