17th September 2026 : Whittington Special Ride (Brisk)

This ride, being the last club ride starting in Chirk this year, we had promoted it to Special Ride status. So this brisk ride and the moderate version below, needed to be worthy of a Special Ride status. We all thought it was; we being Ray S, Al, Chris, Simon and myself. We met up at Caffi Wylfa, which in my opinion is a nicer place than the usual one we use. The Mods had a new rider in Dave N to greet and Dave M arrived having cycled from home and was going to do his own thing today.

So both groups set off down Castle Road where the Mods soon slid off uphill into Western Rhyn whereas us Briskers cruised for 7 miles gently upwards to Glyn Ceiriog village. It was a little chilly but there was sunshine in prospect today and maybe a few short sharp showers later in the day. We were soon warming up as we turned southeast and uphill on the B road to Selattyn. We double our elevation from 600ft  in Glyn Ceriog to 1150ft in Selattyn under 6 miles. We did enjoy the next few miles of high speed running down to Hengoed where we joined the Mods outward route. 

This tiny lane takes us passed Oswestry’s Iron Age hill fort where I can’t resist stopping for a group photo reminding Al that perhaps one of his first century Roman ancestors may have been on sentry duty. Of necessity, we have to endure riding through Oswestry’s eastern suburbs to exit out over the A5 to Middleton and Aston Square before crossing the A5 a mile later onwards to Maesbury Marsh and Woolston Ban

We cross over the A5 for the third time on the  footbridge at West Felton thence down some lovely lanes via Gimpo to hit the Queen’s Head to Ellesmere road at Rednal where the smooth surface of the recently resurfaced tarmac is a pleasure to ride on for a couple of fast miles. Turning left towards Lower and Welsh Hamptons, I warn the group about the two mountainous canal bridges and that the road runs ever upwards to Welsh Frankton church at the A595 Ellesmere to Whittington main drag.

As I’m the first at the top, I espy a rogue dark cloud spinning its way towards us and recommend we don our rain jackets. A mighty deluge and high winds follow for about 10 minutes as we shelter in the lea of a house and a high hedge. Chris tells us at lunch that there was a large bus shelter just round the corner. We take the plunge downhill for a mile when the rain and wind abated to be put through a car-wash created by the big wagons speeding passed us in the opposite direction. Turning left in Berghill Lane (no hill in evidence though as it's a flat lane) we find the road is quite dry with only odd patches of rain evident. A “Tree Down” closure sign halts us briefly until a municipal rubbish lorry drives by so we follow and then pass it on our way to Babbinswood.

It’s now only a short distance into Whittington and the Castle Tea rooms situated close by the ruins. The Mods have been there for about 30 minutes and missed the deluge and were eating their hot lunches. Although I had rung and left a message about 10 of us turning up, it was a futile attempt to forewarn them as they don’t have a phone although there is a phone number on the website!!! . This was for the Olde Boote pub across the way who didn’t bother to respond.  We order up some decent fare which comes pretty quickly and is of good quality and reasonably priced. 

At Oswestry's Iron Age hill fort

Ready to ride after lunch

We are anxious to set off to chase the Mods back to Chirk as we are now taking the same route. I eschew riding directly up the main road as it is a narrow and uncomfortable race track of a main road. We sidle towards Gobowen Hospital turning towards Derwen College where we haven’t been for a long time. The route is now towards Hindford but branching left finds us at the St Martins road and now minus Al and Simon. I find that Simon has a puncture and Al is assisting. However as Chris, Simon and Al have decided to cycle the 25 or so miles back to Chester, Ray and I continue on to Chirk.

I haven’t yet mentioned the major road works in the centre of Chirk that disrupted the parking for the day, but Ray had managed to navigate himself to the usual car park anyway. So the planned return route takes us down to the Ceiriog river valley with its steep ascent back into Chirk and the usual car park. I had parked down near the station which was close to the Caffi Wylfa.

So not an especially fast route at 15 mph but certainly a good example of the Welsh and Shropshire scenery today in good conditions for September. So thanks to all who turned out today, especially the Brisk group who had to contend with my e-bike ascents of the hills. 

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Bonus Ride report from Chris E detailing the Chester bound trio's exploits on the way home

With seeing Clive and Ray setting off back to Chirk as it wasn't too much further on, that left Al, Simon and myself, Chris. Once we helped Simon with his rubber and rubbing issues, we also eventually set off again. Following the route only so far we turned right to head towards a little village called Glynmorlas to then head to Overton, which treated us to some more climbs.

Once reaching Overton we decide to head back through Tallern Green as it's almost as if the crow flies back to Chester. I punch in the destination set for home and I'm pleased to see that'll achieve my target of 100miles for the day.

On the way my battery pack decided to disembark from my bike and got obliterated into several pieces. Al says I should blame Clive as he borrowed it over lunch time 😅 , but I shall not as he led a great ride and this is an add-on to his write up. 

We made Tallern Green just as it tried to rain on us but we pushed on and pushed onto Farndon where we paced ourselves. As it was near what seemed like rush hour we took the Saighton and Sandy way route. Al remarked on how much roadkill he counted today, to be fair I notice/ point out a few myself.

We reached the Locked Vaults where we said our goodbyes to Simon. I thank the chaps for keeping me company for the return journey. I escort Al home as this is the biggest ride to date, close to 80miles. He'll soon be in the 100mile club.

Thanks all for a great day of cycling 

17th September 2026 : Whittington Special Ride (mod)

Last time I turned up for a ride from Chirk, I had forgotten my helmet and didn’t want to risk a group ride without it.  I was so annoyed with myself that, after returning to Chester by car, I wrote a checklist of items to take on rides.  I checked everything off that list in the morning of this special ride, including my phone, as it’s my primary backup for route navigation.

 

So how on earth did I arrive at Chirk without my phone?                  

 

I wouldn’t mind, but as I was leading the mod ride, I had specifically had a word with myself at breakfast: “Whatever you do, don’t forget your phone!”  Apparently, the person I was speaking to wasn’t listening.

 

I’d arrived early in Chirk and just as well; there were road works that had closed the normal turn-off onto Colliery Road for the car park, and I ended up parking on a residential street off Station Avenue.  On my way back into Chirk centre, I passed Ray S cycling the other way, who shouted over, “Where are you going?  The café is this way.”

 

Well it wasn’t.  I joined Ray, but we ended up at the railway station rather than the café.  Not to worry, as a left turn down Station Road took us down to Café Wylfa.  Must remember Station Road for future rides as there are good parking opportunities there.  In fact, we bumped into Clive, who had parked there.  He set off on his bike to warm up his legs while Ray and I focussed on warming up our coffee-drinking muscles and made our way directly to Café Wylfa.

 

Dave Nicol, a new member, was joining us for the mod ride and we had agreed via email to meet up in Chirk.  He had been on a previous ride, but I had not met him before and had no idea what he looked like.

 

When I heard someone calling me from one of the tables in the café, I responded, “You must be Dave.”

 

“Don’t you recognise me?” came the reply.

 

It was, in fact, an old friend and work colleague whom I hadn’t seen in many years.  Clearly my powers of recognition are only slightly better than my powers of remembering phones.  We had a brief chat and agreed to meet up for a hill walk, something we had done together on many occasions in the past.

 

Enough of this rambling (pun intended). “Tell us about the ride,” I hear you cry.

 

Well, we had 10 turn up in Chirk, including Dave M, who had initially intended meeting us for coffee at Chirk, then later for lunch at Whittington, and then joining the mod group back to Chirk.  Plans changed and, after coffee, he made his own way up to Glyn Ceiriog and back to Chirk, a distance of 25km, before returning home to repair some windows. 

 

The other 9 riders split into 5 brisk riders led by Clive and 4 mod riders: Keith, Alan, Dave N and me, their phone-forgetting ride leader.  Fortunately, I had the route plotted on an OS map. Thanks, Clive, for the route and thanks, Alan, for having it available as a backup on your satnav.  It’s always reassuring when your support team comes better prepared than their forgetful ride leader.

 

The mod route differed early on from the brisk route with a left turn off the B4500 over the River Ceiriog and up a short, steep climb towards Weston Rhyn and onwards to Hengoed, past Old Oswestry Fort and into the northern outskirts of Oswestry.

 

A bit of intricate navigation around Oswestry saw us heading east over the A5, south-east to Aston Square and then south and west to Maesbury. There was considerably more mud on the roads by now, suggesting that local farmers had been conducting a determined campaign against clean bicycles.

 

The no-through-road sign on a road to the right challenged my navigation skills (i.e. I got it wrong) as I stayed on the main road until Alan realised we had missed the intended turn.

 

We retraced our steps (I thought we were cycling!), took the no-through road and headed up the arched pedestrian bridge (cycles allowed) over the A5.  A left turn past Tedsmore Hall took us north through Haughton, around a disused airfield and onwards to Lower Frankton, just before which we crossed the steepest humpback bridge I’ve ever encountered.  Definitely not one for the car unless you have a strong dislike of exhaust systems.

 

A quick zip down the A495 after a climb up to Welsh Frankton was followed by a left turn to Babbinswood.

 

We had seen signs to Babbinswood after leaving Oswestry earlier in the morning, resulting in much amusement and numerous comments from Keith about the strangeness, bizarreness, novelty or ridiculousness of the placename.  Please feel free, Keith, to add a comment identifying the most appropriate adjective.  Given the multitude of odd placenames around the area, I am not sure why Keith picked on Babbinswood.

 

It was then a short hop (I think I’m still in denial that we were on bikes) into Whittington for lunch at the castle café.

 

We were all very pleased that we had applied sun cream before setting off from Chirk because, despite the forecast, we had enjoyed glorious autumn sunshine all morning.  No sooner had we ordered lunch and sat back down at our table than the heavens opened and all the rain that the gods had carefully withheld from the virtuous and worthy was finally released:

 

A virtuous cycling band, they say,
Reached the café just before the spray.
The gods smiled above,
Rewarding their love,
And held back the storm for their stay.

 

A second group rolled into town,
Just minutes behind on the same run-down.
But heaven's delay
Had now slipped away
And rain came in torrents pouring down.

 

The brisk group arrived about half an hour after us, having put in some extra miles and more ascent.  Their timing, unfortunately, was less divinely favoured.

Happy in the sunshine

After lunch, the mod group headed out first on quieter roads than the direct B5009 to Gobowen, which we skirted around to the east.  Unfortunately, there had been recent hedge-cutting - the cyclist’s equivalent of a field of landmines - so, fearing punctures, we all dismounted and walked.  Yes, I finally get to use correctly a term associated with using our feet on the ground!

 

On the final run-in (oh no, I’ve done it again and used language better suited to feet than wheels) to Chirk, we opted for Clive’s original and hillier route down to the River Ceiriog and back up into Chirk rather than the flatter option along the canal and over the aqueduct. Apparently, having survived the day’s navigation, we felt the need for one last test of the legs.

 

We again avoided any rain and arrived back in Chirk very satisfied with our day’s work: 36 miles and 1,600 feet of climbing.  Thanks to my fellow riders for a very enjoyable special ride and thanks again to Clive for an interesting and challenging route which included cycling through more road closures, mostly for no apparent reason, than I can ever remember encountering on a ride.  But then again, given my forgetfulness, I’m not sure I can trust my memory.

 

See route map and/or gpx file download

AM

10th September 2026 : Tattenhall (Mod+)

It seems like an age since I wrote a blog and indeed it was back in June. Weather, vacations and my son's two weddings kept me away -yes, two! -mad, but fabulous.

I was glad I made it in time for my local meet venue. So, my head count was approximately 12, which included a new member (Alvise- new to me at least) who subsequently joined my merry band for the day. The only fast boy there was Clive, who was in his civvies and not cycling. 

The rest of my group became Ray aka ‘Rapha Ray’, Alan & Steve H aka the ‘Chuckle Brothers’, Kevin aka the ‘Very Nice Man’(complete with a brand new Giant bike, only purchased the day before), Chris aka ‘Last minute.com’, and yours truly of course.

I had a short, small hills favourite ride in mind that was aimed at dodging the expected southerly winds and also get us back to Alison’s for lunch. This was due to the original forecast being for rain at 2pm, which didn’t subsequently materialise- Lol.  However, Steve had ridden in some 20 miles, so he was keen on a short one back to Alison’s, which clearly suited the rest of the group as well.

We set off left out of Alison’s and out through Carden Park for maximum wind protection- Lol.  A left turn at the Carden Arms saw us heading out towards Malpas, but after a half mile I lead the group left, up through one of my regular lanes (Scar Ln) up to Hampton Heath.

We had pushed against the wind and hills to this point and then turned left at Hampton Heath via Bickerton Lane, which although still up hill to the Wrexham Road,  did lead us into the very fast blast along the Wrexham Road for a half mile until the speed camera at the Bickerton Poacher. We then veered left in order to follow the lane along the Peckforton ridge line and past the castle of the same name heading for Bunbury.

I then surprised a few of the group by taking the little known lane of Wyche Road, which despite my warning shout,  “You’ll need your small ring at the bottom”, it still caught at least one out. I heard somebody curse and some rough sounding gear changes. As we popped out from the side of the church and turn left at The Dysart Arms, I heard somebody mention “ah, now I know where I am”- Lol. Just a mile further on at Tilstone Fearnall, immediately after the lock, again I shouted “small ring”, but it still caught CB1 out. We all staggered up the wicked little kicker and pulled over after CB2 screamed out “something” - Lol.

After CB1 reset his chain, we all got going again and sped down hill to the A51 crossing. This lead us down toward Oulton Park and my favourite stretch of lovely smooth lanes, especially so today with a cross tailwind. After a mile or two we head left up through Eaton and on into the back of Tarporley via Royal Lane, whilst passing Macdonald Portal golf course.

We negotiate the familiar chicane crossing in Tarporley (opposite the garage) and head slightly up hill for our next little dash down hill into Brassy Green. Then suddenly I got told to knock of the pace, because one or two were struggling. However, I’m not so sure that was the case. My reasoning for this was the person, who shall remain nameless and shouted at me to “knock of the pace”, almost immediately, passed me and then romped up the hill all the way to Beeston castle after passing the Shady pub of course. He had a cocky smile on his face when I got there, behind the others BTW. And did’t deny my, out of breath, accusation “you made me slow down just so you could have your moment” - Lol,Lol.

We turned right for another favourite down hill towards Tattenhall, which has often triggered a bit of a dash in the past. There was still a fair headwind, even though we were in the lea of Peckforton castle, so my pace was not so quick, which explains how Lastminute.com came past me. I mean! He is about half my age, maybe more in fact-Lol.

After jumping onto his back wheel and following through the S’s, as I call them, I sat up and declared “that’s enough for me” and watched Chris pull away. After half mile everybody was regrouping and we turned right up past the Ice Cream farm, which prompted a little conversation about the last time we found ourselves there and decided to go in for an ice cream by the lake ( it was 33 degrees that day, if I remember rightly and it went down very nicely indeed-Lol)

On this occasion we rode past and crossed straight over the next junction, where upon RR queried if we were stopping at Old Ma’s (Camden’s now). He obviously hadn’t got the memo- Lol. I remarked that “this way was preferable to riding through Tattenhall, direct into the wind and more interesting". Three miles later, after passing the large wooden squirrel carving outside the school, we were pulling up at Alison’s for lunch just before 1pm.

I said my goodbyes to the boys, as I felt I needed to get home and have lunch with Paula. This was because I had got back late the night before, after a few days away playing golf - I needed some smarty points- Lol.

Another great ride with CER, if a touch short at 33 miles - 37 for me by the time I got home- Lol and an AS of 15.3 mph for the group. There were a couple in the group that ended up with 70+ miles I believe, so well done guys.  Some good banter as usual, but no lunch conversations to report on today, being as I wasn’t there. I could feel my ears burning on the way home though- Lol.

A very enjoyable day indeed.

Till next time gang.

NT.

10th September 2026: Whitchurch

Today’s ride, I’ve decided to call it the ride of the pimple, as years ago, Dave Pipe said to me as we climbed yet another small hill that these are only pimples, not really hills. But I definitely thought they are hills.

So, we met at Tattenhall and, yes, I remembered it was here and not Tarporley ha ha. I rode over from Mickle Trafford, meeting Ray S on the way, so the usually boring 10 miles flew by – literally. Ray is definitely no slouch. At the café, another good turnout plus Clive in his ‘going out’ gear as he wasn’t joining us today. So we sorted ourselves out into two groups, which I really think is getting more difficult due to the fact age seems to be affecting certain members, or the early onset of dementia. So, if anyone reading this is thinking who or what cycling day is he on about, there’s your answer.

So my group consisted of tour guide, leader or whatever we called him through the day Steve T, Anthony, Mike G, who has now fully converted to being a Welsh citizen; he won’t go over 20 mph even on the fast descents.

We had the destination of Whitchurch and the Black or Brown Bear pub - I can never remember which it is (see early dementia), for lunch a destination. We have returned to it many a time over the years. We discussed over food how, as a club, we have changed habits from many members having a beer or 3 to now having mint Green tea or alcohol-free beer, which ten years ago would of been unheard of.

On the route out from Tattenhall we took in Tilston, Horton Green. In fact looking at the map I should have called today’s ride ‘the ride of the greens’ as we also passed through Tallarn Green and Horse Green, Hanmer past another old favourite lunch stop the Hanmer Arms. Anyway, we carried on and this is where the pimples statement comes from, as Anthony mentioned about how many small hills we had encountered and would carry on through the ride. I also thought the same. Well, my legs did have a word with my brain saying it seems like a lot of climbing today. We carried onto Whitchurch without any issues except, like Steve Hughes, Steve T was having the same trouble with his Wahoo acting like a petulant child, sending us down or up wrong roads.

So, after a decent lunch we started out for the return to Tattenhall via lanes taking us past Whitchurch golf course and numerous mere sounding names on to Hetherson Green and then towards Bickerton and oh, another pimple… Harthill heading back towards our return destination.

The route from cafe and back was a pleasant 37 miles at a half decent pace with, as mentioned, plenty of pimples. Also, as I have mentioned in the past concerning the mods, which I suppose we were technically, that we didn’t encounter anything to report. Not like the mods of old, when every ride we reported a real calamity of sorts. Is this due to there being more carers in the club these days, or is it the fact we all now have a check list before we leave our homes and when we leave the lunch venues?

Once again today’s ride was carried out with good company a good lunch and a good route so thanks to all. On a foot note I hope Neil had control of his posse of delinquent petulant members.

 KB

See route map and/or gpx file download

3rd September 2026: Brimstage

As I rode down the A56 to Meadow Lea café there was a strong westerly wind blowing, so I decided that a ride on the Wirral should give us a tail wind on the way home. You see, Neil, we do listen! Arriving at the café, it was packed with CER members. There must have been twenty or more there. Keith’s photo below gives you some idea. 

Meadow Lea

We were joined by Dave who’d come along at the suggestion of his daughter. He didn’t quite know what to expect, but I think he enjoyed the day.

My plan was to lead a mod group to the Corner Café in Brimstage, expecting to collect a following of 6 to 8. As it turned out, no one else had a mod ride to hand so when I finally set off along Station Road, there were another thirteen (yes, 13!) behind me! This felt like a recipe for disaster so, when we’d turned into Salters Lane, I stopped and asked if someone else would load a copy of the route onto their Garmin/Wahoo/Phone just in case. Anthony stepped forward (good man!) and after a bit of fiddling got the route onto his phone.

Loading the route on to Anthony's phone

Setting off at a moderate pace we joined Fox Covert Lane and went around the back of the zoo. Crossing the A41 at Backford we go on to Station Road past the village hall. Then take a sharp right on to Demage Lane and the cycleway across the fields parallel to the railway line. A number of gates have to be traversed before ending at Bridle Lane where we crossed Dunkirk Way.

At this point we seemed to have lost Jim, Trevor, George and Anthony, but I was content to press on, given that Anthony had the route. A quick dash around the back of Capenhurst and the Urenco facility took us on to the Welsh Road and Hooton village. Passing Bromborough Golf Club we were soon at Raby Mere and a group photo opportunity. Thanks, Elwyn.

Raby Mere

Pressing on through Poulton and Stanton, we came to the Storeton turn and Brimstage Lane. Here, Steve H come flying up to me shouting that I’ve take a wrong turn, but I never forget this lane as it’s where a few years ago the lane was flooded where it goes under the M53 and Dave Pipe couldn’t risk going through the water in case it flooded the battery on the e-tandem.

We were soon into Brimstage Hall Courtyard, where we find the café…..closed! There’s a sign in the window declaring ‘Edge & Son, Butchers, Coming Soon’! Fortunately, almost next door, there is the Bhudda Bar which offers a range of sandwiches, toasties, jacket potatoes and ‘Bhudda bowls’. So ten hungry cyclists piled in to place their orders followed about ten minutes later by the gang of four led by Anthony. As you might imagine, this totally overwhelmed the small kitchen (I think they only have one toastie machine), so the service was a little slow. But the staff were very friendly and helpful and, as it was so warm, most were able to sit outside.

The gang of four

Leaving the latecomers finishing their lunches, the main body of the peloton set off for Thornton Hough. Crossing the very busy Chester High Road we cruised through Neston, Ness gardens and then plunged down to Burton Marshes. Repairs to the boardwalk have not yet started, so great care  was taken as we traversed it. At the junction with the Greenway, Alan and Steve H set off for North Wales and home and the rest pressed on over the ‘blue bridge’. At Blacon, Fiona, Elwyn and Mike G left us, leaving Keith, Alvi, Dave and me to head on towards Meadow Lea. Alvi left a little further on, so it was Keith, Dave and I who ended up there.  Dave thought he’d come for the morning, but stayed to the end and he fancies joining the Special Ride from Chirk on the 17^th. I think we may have a new member!

Anthony reports that Jim, Trevor, George and he started back from Brimstage about 2pm and were back in Chester by 3.30. So, after a chaotic start, all went well in the end. A great ride with good company and plenty of banter. Thanks to all who took part.

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download

3rd September 2026 : Whatcroft (brisk)

A fine and slightly warmer day in prospect today and NO RAIN!. Meadow Lea cafe is always popular with walkers and cyclists alike so the CER riders were well ensconced inside as I arrived at 1000. A few more arrived a little later; so there were at least two rides in the offing.

There were two “new” riders today one of whom, Simon, threw his lot in with the Brisk group who were going to Whatcroft - where’s that?  was the universal question posed by all and sundry; well at least three people!

I had spent my usual diligent approach when curating this ride i.e. about 10 mins before I left home; so it would be all ok with no hidden issues arising. The peloton consisted of Chris,Toby, Nick, and Ray with new rider Simon and myself. Chris’s friend the bike balancer Ronnie also joined us albeit briefly.

We turned left instead of a planned right turn out of the gate so that Nick could get some fluids for the ride as he had forgotten to refit a bottle cage on his bike. There are two shops in the centre of Guilden Sutton housing estate near to the village hall. Nick gets his fluids as Ray remarks that he never knew there were shops here.

We set off towards Dunham and Mouldsworth and Manley via a slightly longer route than normal. We are soon climbing up to 500ft as we crest Birch Hill on the fast run down to Kingsley. We take the tiny lanes to Acton Bridge followed by a short stretch of the main road towards Weaverham. The village information board describes this as a  pretty, sleepy village until ICI arrived close by in 1921. A bit later on we sidle around the huge landfill site towering above the road bringing us to ICI’s successor plants of Tata Chemicals at Winnington.

The traffic lights at the Weaver Navigation bridge are well backed up today for some reason. Turning up the short sharp Soot Hill we motor on to Comberbach then onto Great Budworth, which is as pretty as ever. It’s a pleasant run now through Pickmere and Wincham to Plumley passing the well-scaffolded Smoker Pub, where Nick used go for works Christmas do’s.

I can hear rumbling stomachs now as we hit Lach Dennis at 32 mls out. Fortunately, the Oakwood Marina is just 5 mins away. We have been here a handful of times and never been disappointed with the service and quality of the food and today was no exception. Eggs Florentine, giant sausage rolls, beans on toast and a very good three egg omelette, were the selection today along with usual table banter.

The return is predictable via Hartford to Norley. At the Hatchmere crossroads, I’m ready to set loose the dogs for the usual fast run back through Delamere Forest. We recover at Dark Lane crossroads deciding which way back. As Nick has to go back to Tilston, we follow him to Aston Hayes. Simon wants to climb Mouldsworth hill so we say farewell as he rides solo back to Chester. 

Very close to Meadow Lea, we pass Keith and Steve by as they head home, as we now head down the Greenway. So a 54 miler with the tight peloton keeping close with shades of the old days, and where the ride leader was the only person with a detailed or recently cobbled together route. 

Many thanks to the Chester rider companions today who will have at least mid 60 miles ridden and Nick with quite a lot more today.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

27th August 2026: Tilston

 Today’s ride for me started a Mickle Trafford, so I started in the rain and finished in the heavy rain, I rode out the 11 miles to Holt. The road soon became a awash with debris from the surrounding fields and to cap it all there was a road closure just outside Farndon 😂. Anyway, once at the new meet this week I met Dave M who is starting to ride more often and further; then Ray S arrived, so we sat and laughed at ourselves for being so daft for riding in the rain when Ken arrived but didn’t stay, as he’d been out early; then Toby and Chris arrived. 

I had a plan to do a little loop from Holt, so Ray Chris Toby all said that seems a good as plan as any so we said farewell to Dave who was just doing his own bimble. 

We shot back over the Dee to Farndon, heading towards Shocklach and as I was the stupid fool in front, went down a little lane. Then Ray caught me up and said in all the years of cycling in this area he had never been down this lane - as you guessed it was totally the wrong way . It obviously was my nerves - nah it was because I’m an idiot . 

So we got back on track towards Shocklach then turned just after the run down pub where we were stopped by a local out walking who informed us that the road we needed was closed and not passable but gave us a alternative route via Churton Lane which turned out to be a brilliant move as the route we took went over to Coddington then over to Manor Wood caravan park heading towards Tilston then Stretton.  At the Carden Arms pub we had a team huddle and all decided to go back with me to MickleTrafford, then head their own way off on the Greenway. 

So off we set heading back towards Churton, as we knew the road was open there,  but getting there we went down a farm road that Ray and Chris had used a few weeks previous (which was a new one to me), then down the inter link to Churton getting back on the usual route to Waverton then Mickle Trafford.

The ride and company was fantastic in warm but very wet conditions. Thanks to Ray for his local knowledge and then Chris and Toby who also took turns out front .We ended doing 26 miles continuous from Holt at a reasonable pace. Obviously, all 4 of us had completed many more miles but I did around 44 miles. As I left the 'Chester 3', I decided I’d just nip around the Barrowmore Estate to clock up some extra and also because I thought I’m drenched and it’s a shame to go home early. 

So to all those who decided to stay indoors wearing your fluffy slippers and housecoats because you where sensible and looked at the weather , I’m sat at home thinking yep that was daft but fun .

KB

20th August 2026: Aston

Given that we’re in the middle of the holiday season, it wasn’t a great surprise that only seven members showed up at Rose Farm on a day that promised to be, at some stage, wet. Do you remember riding in the rain? The last time I remember was when Steve Hughes and I aquaplaned around Delamere and district some ten weeks ago.

Dave M was in civvies, but he’s continuing to extend his rides from home. For the rest, we had Dave H, Keith, Chris, Toby and guest Al. The plan was to ride to The Bhurty at Aston using an anti-clockwise route which would avoid the slog up from Tarporley at the end of the day.

As we set off, it had started to rain a little, so we donned our rain jackets. We were soon threading our way through the mayhem that is Tarporley High Street before heading towards Brassey Green and The Shady pub. By the time we got to Beeston Castle, it had stopped raining and at Bunbury the sun had come out, so we stopped to take off our rain stuff. Brindley and Chorley soon came and went, our progress being helped by the stiff northerly tail wind and we arrived at The Bhurty in Aston soon after 12pm. As we went inside, there were dark clouds gathering from the north.

 The pub was quiet and we were soon seated with food and drinks ordered. When it came the quality was excellent as we’ve come to expect from here, but it’s striking how expensive eating out has become. We used to order a curry and beer here and pay just over £10. These days it will cost you at least twice as much. It rained heavily as we ate, but it had passed and the sun was shining again as we set off back.

As Chris, Toby and Al all wanted to go to Chester, they decided to find their way directly from Aston, as my route would take them away from Chester on a more easterly direction. So we said goodbye to them in Wrenbury as Dave H, Keith and I headed off towards Ravensmoor and Nantwich. As we would now be riding mostly into the northerly wind, Dave told Keith and I to go on ahead and he would follow at his own pace.

We tracked through Nantwich, Cholmondelston and Wettenhall with the skies becoming more overcast as we did so. Just as we got to Oulton Park it started to rain, so we stopped to don our rain gear once more. For 10 – 15 minutes there was a real downpour which had us sheltering under a tree for a few minutes until it eased off a bit. By the time we got to Cotebrook, the rain had stopped. Keith had cycled in from home, so he headed off and I took Utkinton Lane to return to Rose Farm. Dave arrived a few minutes after me.

38 miles covered on a day with mixed weather, but an enjoyable ride with our ‘brisk’ friends who we don’t often get to spend time with.

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download

13th August 2026: Talacre

 Well the brisk / mod+ riders certainly “eclipsed” the mod riders today, as just like the sun hiding behind the moon, the mod lads were all hiding from the heat and the hills of Wales.

With probably the lowest turnout at the Gallery Cafe, the true athletes of Kevin, Chris, Toby, Alan and Steve H set out on Alan’s cunning route to stay low and stay cool. With temperatures a good four degrees cooler at the coast Alan devised a route to shadow the Dee path then pick up the Coastal Path to Bagillt and then using a bit of major roads to Greenfield Valley.

The tree lined climb up to Holywell was a real pleasure as we ascended one of the steepest railway climbs in the country according to Alan. As we left Holywell we paused for a hydration top up, with Alan playing the role of Aquarius. Whitford soon zoomed past and we began the day’s single earnest climb to Llanasa. Once there it was a quick plunge down to Talacre and the bakery.

Here we were regaled with stories of protesting animal rights, the differential speed of a 40mph greyhound and a person out for a beach stroll!  Both Steve and Chris manned up and bought an “Oggie”. Imagine the largest Cornish pastie you have ever seen, then double it and you get the idea.

The breeze was pleasant at the coast but the heat was relentless; however Kevin stepped into the role of Aquarius and we were all replete with cold water except Chris who like a camel stores all his water on his back.

The climbing done we followed Alan’s route past the former Point of Ayr gas sweetening site which is now being prepared for the Hynet Carbon Capture project. Gravel, slippy wet bridges and lovely sea views accompanied our route back to the Fun Ship by Abakan. Here Alan showed his local knowledge and took us on another gravel spectacular eventually joining the A road just up from Greenfield.

A quick diversion to Flint Castell split the group with Alan returning to his car, which he uses like a ski lift to “get me up the hill”. Toby and Kevin struck out for the Dee Path and Millennium Way and Chris battered me up Paper Mill Lane resulting in me achieving numerous fastest ever sections.

A big thanks must go to Alan for leading a really interesting and varied route. Everyone’s mileage and climbing will vary, but I covered 47 miles and just over 2000 ft of climbing. Sorry no gpx as everyone started or ended anywhere except the Cafe!

Steve Hu 

6th August 2026: Market Drayton Special Ride (mod)

 The plan was to meet at Sainsbury’s café in Whitchurch and to set out from there at 10.30. But that’s not what happened. It turns out that Sainsbury’s has closed the cafes in all its supermarkets and if I’d consulted with Mrs T we would have found out well beforehand. Fortunately, our great leader and Keith had decided to do a recce on Monday (when the temperature had got up to 29°C) and discovered the fact that the café was no longer there. For DH, finding an alternative was no problem – he just turned on his ‘Costa detector’ and found one suitable in the High Street. Consequently, sixteen CER members collected at Costa Coffee and soon-ish after 10.30 spilled out onto the pavement, split into two groups (Mod and Brisk) and headed out for Market Drayton.

The Mod group comprised of Dave H, Keith, Fiona, Elwyn, Mike G, Andy B, Ray and yours truly. Threading our way out of town, we were soon in Alkington, heading to Tilstock, Hollinwood and Prees Green where we ran a short distance along the A49 crossing it again at Weston-under-Redcastle.. The roads were very quiet and, for the most part, smooth with few potholes – just what we’ve come to expect and like about the lanes of Shropshire. Apart from a climb near Marchamley Hill, much of the journey seemed to be downhill and the NW wind behind us helped to make very good progress, arriving in Hodnet about 12.15.

It had been suggested that we might need a break here and/or something to eat, but no-one seemed to need either and we stopped only to call the Joules pub in Market Drayton (the Red Lion) to make sure they could handle a group of eight. Crossing the A41 at Wistanswick, we started a second climb into Cheswardine. Fiona started asking ‘how far is it to lunch?’ as we ran down the hill towards Market Drayton. Dave and Keith’s recce had taken them to the Joules pub, so finding it was no problem and we arrived there about 1.15pm.

The staff there welcomed us in and quickly (well, quite quickly) took our orders for food and drinks. That came pretty quickly and the sandwiches, fish and chip and various other dishes were found to be first class. The Red Lion is definitely worthy of another visit.

The return 13-mile journey to Whitchurch would be in a north-westerly direction and therefore into the wind. However, apart from some short stretches, this didn’t really affect us too much as the wind seemed to have died down. It was noticeably cooler as we made our way back, although it did brighten up a bit near Whitchurch. As we passed through Calverhall and Ightfield we did find some rough roads and we actually diverted from the prescribed route, taking Ash Road at Ash Magna rather than Ash Lane at Ash Parva since Dave and Keith had found the latter to be very sandy and gravelly and potentially quite dangerous.

We threaded our way back into Whitchurch and Costa Coffee where a restoring drink was taken. It had been an excellent excursion around rural Shropshire along lanes that many had never seen before.  Our thanks go to Clive for producing a superb route which all the group found really enjoyable.

ST

See route map and/or gpx filedownload

6th August 2026: Market Drayton Special ride (brisk)

The second Special Ride of the year features a sidle around the Shropshire countryside with more than dozen Easy Riders riding to Market Drayton from Whitchurch either via a moderate 42 miler or a 52 brisk miler. We met up in Costa’s cafe as Sainsbury’s had shut the cafe we usually used. The weather was slightly chilly and improved a little during the day but the wind increased and the temperature dropped in the late afternoon BUT no rain!

The Brisk group consisted of Ivan, Nick, Shane, and Toby all of whom had ridden from home to Whitchurch! Kevin, Steve H and I had driven to Whitchurch. So the Magnificent Seven saddled up.

As per usual “ herding cats” syndrome was evident on the off but the brisk group shot up Alkington Road to distance ourselves from the melee. On the run to Tilstock, Steve H was stung by a wasp but a Piriton was quickly washed down to help dampen the sting effect. The road from Tilstock south via Hollinwood and Quina Brook was new to most of us and lightly trafficked.We hit the A49 at Prees Heath to cross it again a few miles south. Once again with light traffic and a good surface (for a welcome change).

The first bit of real climbing finds us in Weston-under-Redcastle with the aptly named Elysian Hill. The road bisects the 440 acres of the Hawkstone Estate with its big hotel and golf course etc. This is a beautiful area new to most of us I would suspect. The ridge runs along to Marchamley Hill which all have “endured” many times in the past.

At this point the Brisk and Mod routings have been identical, but now the Mod ride continues along the hillside into Hodnet and beyond, as the Brisk ride turns south towards Stanton upon Hine Heath. Not every rider agreed with the right turn that I had now dived down. We have been down this road many many times in the past but perhaps it was only Nick who could recall it. Eventually, I was able to persuade the group sans one, that as I had curated the ride, I might actually be correct in the direction we were now taking! So as Ivan had ridden ahead towards Hodnet, he missed the correct routing down the hillside passing the West Midlands Shooting ground and the famous Hawkstone Motocross circuit.

Hawkstone Park Motocross circuit has an illustrious history since starting up in1938. Famously, Roy Orbison was allowed to ride a lap on a motorcycle around it back in 1965 at the 500cc British Grand Prix meet. Unfortunately he crashed and broke his ankle. So he appeared on stage at the Palladium later that week with his ankle in plaster and a crutch - what a trooper!

The route turns eastwards then north east through Ellerdine Heath (where we have twice had special Ride lunch venue at the Oakgate garden centre cafe in 2021 and 2013). There now is long list of hamlets to ride through culminating in crossing the A41 at Hinstock after 31 miles  for a stop at the village store for drinks. The lane out was cut deep into the sandstone as we head for Cheswardine where Steve takes the photo. It’s an interesting ride now down the 3 mile long “Elephant Grass” valley. The grass was 6 ft high despite the lack of rain. 

Cheswardine Church 

We get to The Hippodrome after 39 miles and a short detour around the town. I’ve been here before a few times and like the speedy service and the range of decent beers at “affordable” prices. It’s a Wetherspoons' establishment but hey its two thirds full and good value at this re-purposed cinema. Ivan messaged me to say that he’s been and gone on his way back to Chester via Nantwich - so a 105 miler for him!

We move off promptly for the 13 miles back to base. It’s a 5 mile slight uphill slog to the Olde Jack pub in Calverhall where we overhaul the Mods who had been at the Red Lion pub in MD for lunch but had ridden a 10 miles shorter route than us. The route is amended on the fly at Ash Magna as Dave H warned me at coffee that the planned drop off at Ash Parva is largely gravel. So we wander through Brown Moss with a sadly depleted lake to enter Whitchurch and back to our cars or for some riders to ride further on and back to their homes.

I drive out to Grindley Brook and manage to get into the always very busy petrol station there with petrol at £1.45 a litre  (20p cheaper than most) so I fill the car to the brim. I then get a shout from a certain Steve H who has had the same idea!

So a satisfying excursion around rural Shropshire on a ride around new and familiar with riders old and new. Thanks to my group who did a sterling job of keeping the pace up  at 15mph average (as I was on my e-bike!).

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA