24th February 2022 : Wybunbury (Brisk)

Today’s ride starts from Alison's cafe and I was joined by John W for the ride out from Chester. With a good tailwind behind us we soon knocked off the 11 miles to Tattenhall. The weather predictions for today was scattered snow showers and a strong, south westerly wind. Trying to create a route giving us a tail wind for the return ride home was not an option from Tattenhall. 

After tea and tea cakes, John and I were joined by Clive and Nick. The route today is a circular ride to Audlem. The four of us set off heading out of the village towards Chowley crossing the very quiet A41 and continuing to Clutton crossing the A534 with zero traffic. As we crossed the A41, we caught a glimpse of the tandem but we never saw the vision again so assume they took the right turn to go along Dog Lane. 

We have a tailwind pushing us up the bank to Clutton and Carden then into Tilston. Passing Nick's abode, we continue to Chorlton and Cuddington before starting the climb up to Malpas, where we are stopped due to temporary traffic lights just outside the town, but not the brow of the hill where you drop down to the centre of town. When lights change we roll down the hill and continue down to No Man’s Heath. Crossing the A41 again it is again devoid of traffic.

Since leaving Tattenhall John has decided that his 200k audax on Saturday will be compromised by riding today so he decided to make his way home. By now we’ve endured several sharp hail storm showers. Even the tail wind didn’t stop the ice striking the face! 

We are soon passing the Bhurtpore Arms, but our planned lunch stop today is the biker's cafe at Audlem so through the storm we press on. Exiting onto the A525 at Lightwood, we are rolling into Audlem. Arriving outside the cafe, there are a couple of bikes propped up outside and on enquiring re table availability its a rejection. Not too disappointed, we carry on to the Swan Inn at Wybunbury which we visited a couple of weeks ago. We were welcome without a prior reservation and were seated and fed very promptly once again with the selection from the light bites which was more than adequate considering the return 25 miles return to Chester which is mainly against the head wind now. 

Conversation over lunch was not the weather but name dropping regarding the main news topic this morning. Our grand master Clive met President Putin when he was working in St Petersburg and Putin was the deputy mayor!! Sad times for Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

However lunch finished we’re suited and booted and ready to go. We cannot leave without Clive and Nick having a photo with the resident outdoor bar person to light up the blog again. From Wybunbury it’s into Nantwich and via Welsh Row to Acton.

The Three Stooges!

Taking the route from Acton to Burland, it's along the A534 that Nick leaves us for a direct route back to Tilston via Cholmondeley while Clive and I battle on via Bunbury and Beeston back to Tattenhall and ultimately Chester.

We enjoyed a 45 miles or so out and around with some wind assist and the remaining 25 miles with a blocker of a head wind. However we got back safely and enjoyed a good day out. The official ride back to Tattenhall would  have been 48 miles. 

We all achieved a ride of 60+ up to 76 miles for Clive at an astounding 16.2 mph average. A good indicator of how much assistance we had on the first part of our ride. Thanks to all for making a good day out and good luck John for the weekend.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ID

Photo ID

3rd February 2022 : Wybunbury (brisk)

This week some of the brisk riders have enjoyed very unseasonably good riding weather enjoying dry roads and warm sunshine, although windy both Tuesday and as forcasted for today.

John W and myself ride out from Chester to Rose Farm cafe at Utkinton; on arrival it was good to see Ray and John M waiting for us. There was a good turn out of riders today taking advantage of this unseasonably good riding weather 

Our route today is circuitous route to the Swan Inn at Wybunbury. The route out is via Wettenhall then Church Minshull. Passing Leighton Hospital, we ride along Bradfield Road to Sydney and to Crewe Green. On joining the new link road, the roundabout is not cycle-friendly as it is big and busy but if you are unsure of your exit route then I suggest using the footpath and cross the roads very carefully. We exit the correct route to progress towards Crewe Green and the B5077 heading towards Alsager.

Two miles along this lane we should take a right but I never noticed it when either driving or cycling and thus missed it on my garmin. We turn round and take the lane called Barthomley Road. At the end of this lane we find ourselves at a past regular inn “The White Lion”. John recognised the hostelry for their excellent pub food. Not stopping today though as we continue passed heading for Betley and Wrinehill. After passing another good eating house, The Hand and Trumpet, we turn onto Dent Lane in Wrinehill which takes us into Wybunbury village.

Before arriving at the village, the West Coast railway runs parallel to the road and back in 1976 I recall an incident with the Royal Train that was enroute back to Euson with the Queen on board. After passing through Crewe the train was brought to a stand still due to the signaller being asleep and he hadn’t woken to the frantic bells that were ringing in his box. Although 2.00 am, it makes no difference and for sure he wasn’t signalling trains the following day!

At the Swan Inn, John met up with an old acquaintance “serving” in the outside bar and enjoyed the opportunity to pose pulling a pint!! 

John seems to be missing a glass!

The rest of us were seated indoors and selected from the light bites menu. After our quick lunch, including the lime and soda but no idea of cost, we depart in still glorious sunshine and into Nantwich. At Acton, we take the lane towards Burland and Bunbury. The route from Bunbury is to Alpraham and Eaton and returning to Rose Farm but, as we’d all ridden out to the cafe, we decide to ride via Beeston and Huxley. 

Riding from Nantwich, we have a strong force of a head wind so passing Huxley we head via the winding lanes to divert to Guy Lane and into Christleton and back to Chester. Today our ride has given us 70 miles of good riding on dry roads but at times a crater of pot holes, but nonetheless an enjoyable day out with friends. 

A good week of cycling all round for the briskers and well done to John W who completed a 125 mile auddax event on Sunday and was still always wanting to be on the front shielding us from the wind when we encountered it. Until next ride, keep safe and keep cycling.

 See route map and/or gpx file download

ID

Photo JW and JM

6th April 2017 : Wybunbury (brisk)

A good CER turnout  had the staff of Delamere Station  cafe  busy serving drinks and snacks. There were seven in the brisk group:- John, Ray, Tom, Andy, Steve,  myself , plus  Nick  who was on his inaugural ride with this group. John W also joined us for coffee but he had to return home for Grandad duties thus leaving us once we had agreed the proposed  planned  route to Wybunbury. 

On departing the cafe, we headed left past Blakemere then  turning right to weave our way through Norley  and along Bag Lane into Cuddington. Once over the A49 we followed Hodge Lane ,crossing over A556, and then skirting around Sandiway Golf course. Very soon we entered Winsford and just as quickly left it following Swanlow Lane through to Church Minshull before entering Nantwich. Here, a small navigation error resulted in a double circuit of the Crewe Road roundabout before leaving on the Newcastle road to drop into Wybunbury at exactly 12 o’clock. Perfect timing, though our progress had been aided by a steady breeze. 

The Swan bar area was very busy with people queuing to order food and drink but  the staff and  service were very efficient and the food arrived  quickly. Food prices were pretty standard with the light bites around £7.95, but the CER tipple of choice (Lime and Soda) was a bit pricey at £1.60. While we ate, Tom regaled us with tales of his latest trip to Italy, including the vertical nature of the landscape, narrow roads, and an insight into the latest Italian cycle fashion!! This apparently did not include any Aldi special buys.

Once the food was consumed, we all convened  for a quick photo in front of St Chad's Church. The 15th century tower here is all that remains of the original church and the  tower  leans to the north - a piece of useless information I gleaned from Wikipedia!

Leaning Tower of St Chad's

Back on the road we returned  to Nantwich, via Stapeley, before following a fairly standard route back through Wettenhall, skirting Oulton Park and crossing over the A49 at Cotebrook. At this point Ray, John and Tom left to return to Chester while the rest of us headed for Delamere.

The round trip back to Delamere was 70km (43miles) which was achieved  at reasonably brisk pace. However with additional return mileages Andy and Tom clocked up about 100 miles  and the Chester lads 75 miles. Thanks to everyone for a great day out despite the lingering grey skies and cool conditions.

KP

6th March 2014: Wybunbury (brisk)

Earlier in the year I had downloaded all 180 CER routes (to end November 2013). Via the magic of 3G, Dropbox and Apple, and whilst drinking my coffee, it was easy to scan through any route starting from Manley Mere. It was obvious that two groups were needed so Brian, Ivan, Ray, Stephen, Dave R and myself set off bound roughly for the other side of Nantwich - details to be finalised as we approached the town. I was using, as a guide, the October 2009 route to Barthomley (all 83 m!). Out towards Mouldsworth, Brian realised he was minus a water bottle, so the route was adjusted to go to the shops in Kelsall via Ashton. We then take the Old Coach Road up Kelsall Hill and turn right by the Farmers Arms bound for Summertrees. Brian is struggling a bit, and it transpires that his gears aren’t working properly despite C.O.C. “servicing" them after last week's similar issues. So he heads for home as we continue along the top to Tirley Hill and then down through the lanes to Cotebrook. The way is then straight to Wettenhall via Rushton. To break the lane familiarity, at Cholmondeston we turn left, and then head south on the main drag towards Nantwich but hang a right through Aston-juxta-Mondrum to arrive eventually at Welshmen’s Lane a.k.a. the back lane into Nantwich town.  A quick pow-wow here establishes that lunch is needed sooner rather than later. So over the water meadows it is, then an easy run to Wybunbury. 

After 28m, we arrive at “the other pub”, the Red Lion - this is the pub Ivan intended us to go to when we came this way back in September 2013 but we went to the Swan instead! The food was plentiful with good ale, and, fortified with two courses, we head back onto the dry, cool but dry lanes bound for Hough. We turn west to run parallel back into Nantwich exiting over the water meadows to take the lane to Ravensmoor. Half way along we turn right up Dig Lane and onwards to Swanley. A left towards Larden Green finds us peeling off right and up Whitehaven Lane. A left and a right along the A534 takes us towards Bunbury. We decide to head for the Ice Cream Farm café and taking the first left we arrive on the A49 just south of Spurstow. Here it is a familiar ride back to the ICF arriving around 15:30. As no one needs to get back to Manley, we head back the usual way home. If we had gone back to Manley, it would have been a 63 miler with no rain and dry roads but little sun. Chester riders would have had 75 mile on the clock today.

CA

26th September 2013: Wybunbury

On arrival at the Ice Cream Farm Clive and I were greeted by Mike M holding open the gate for us to pass and join the group already waiting for coffee.  Mike was himself joining us for coffee and promising to get the bike out!

Already gathered were Dave M and Andy, both out on their bikes but also only joining for coffee.  Well-done Dave (wife and friends) on his contribution for the MacMillan fund raising cake morning and raising £230.00.  Andy back from his epic 1,500 mile cycle ride but sadly not joining the group today.  Harder ride looming Saturday.

Two routes were proposed for today by Dave H and Ivan, and the saunter to Wybunbury won the vote!  Ready for a prompt start were Dave H, Steve T (out for his second ride), Kevin, Dave & Liz on the tandem, Clive, Dave Raynor and Ivan.  So with a turn right on the road we say farewell to the coffee hoppers and set off towards Beeston.

It was a lovely autumnal morning and the Tandem was cracking the pace on the front.  Passing Beeston Castle and heading towards Bunbury and doing a loop round Dob lane we join Cappers lane to Brindley, Baddiley and passing the secret bunker (French lane), into Nantwich and on to Wybunbury.

Arriving at the Swan at 12:30 and ready for lunch.

As a new venue for CER the pub offered good food although half the menu was not available.

As the group had sprinted the outward leg of 23 miles in good time it was agreed that Clive would increase the return route back to the ICF so after lunch we set off again towards Wrinehill.  Thursdays would not be the same if we only encountered country lanes so before long we were bumping along the grassy verge of Gonsley Green lane to Chorlton.  On through Hough, Shavington and Nantwich and taking a right hand diversion along Welshman’s Lane and the well cycled route through Wettenhall, Eaton and afternoon tea at the Old Fire Station at Tarporley.

After the welcome tea and cake stop we happily set off for the final miles home.  At the junction of Brassey Green we split with some riders going back to the ICF and Clive, Ivan and Dave sprinting back to Waverton and Chester.

The round trip from and to the ICF was 53 miles and for the Chester riders 72miles.  An enjoyable good days riding with the bonus of lovely autumn weather.

ID