28th May 2026: Little Neston

 I had spent the previous week cycling the Wales End-to-End so I was determined to get out with the Easy Riders this week, despite the forecast of 27 degree heat, just so I could check if my legs were still working. Actually, considering the temperatures we had been experiencing in the early part of the week, 27 degrees was relatively cool but still too hot to be doing a ride with a lot of climbing. So I devised a route which was fairly flat, would get us to Net's Cafe for lunch and was flexible enough to be anywhere from 30 to 45 miles.

Armed with this idea I made my way to Meadow Lea where I found a number of members (mostly of the faster variety) sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. When I went inside I found Dave H, poring over his maps, trying to find a route with the same criteria that I had used. Needless to say, as soon as I mentioned my idea his maps disappeared and my route was adopted.

Mike D arrived soon after. We haven't seen him for a long time. He has been off travelling the world and is just back for a few weeks before he jets off again. Dave P also arrived but he doesn't like cycling up the Wirral and declined to join us. So it looked like just three of us for the trip up to Net's. By the time we had finished our coffees the faster group had departed, but leaving Elwyn and Fiona behind. They had ridden in from home and since the fast group were heading out along the same roads that they had ridden in on they decided to do their own thing. 'Their own thing' turned out to be a cycle up to Net's and so three became five.

We turned right out of Meadow Lea, passing through Mickle Trafford and on towards Picton. Turning right after crossing the motorway we cycled past the rear of the zoo up towards Backford and across the A41 towards Mollington. Before reaching there we turned north to find the cycle path alongside the railway which would take us to the southern end of the Wirral. Then it was along familiar lanes through Capenhurst and Ledsham before accessing the 'missing link' near Inglewood Manor. Our first stint on the Wirral Way took us to Hadlow Road Station where we turned north again passing through Willaston and Raby to reach Thornton Hough. We were now as far up the Wirral as we were going to get as we turned towards the coast. All the height that we had gained getting this far was soon lost as we sped down towards Parkgate where we enjoyed the delightful cycle along the front.

At the far end of Parkgate we stopped for a short comfort break and took the opportunity for a photo before a second stint on the Wirral Way, this time a short blast to the outskirts of Neston. From there the cycle route takes a twisting tour of a local housing estate to get us down to the estuary and a short distance along the edge of the marshes gets us to our lunch stop.

The breeze coming off the marshes kept the temperature cool enough to dine alfresco without roasting in the sunshine. A thin blanket of cloud helped too. I explained the choice return routes back to Meadow Lea. Going via Kinnerton and Eccleston was rejected as being too far while returning along the river was not popular with the majority of riders because of the headwind, although this seemed to be Elwyn's favoured choice. However majority prevailed and the Greenway route won the day.

All three routes required us to cross the marshes. Most of it is on tarmacked footpath but there is a short section of boardwalk across the worst of the marsh. We lamented the state of it as we rattled across. Patched in several places with many more boards showing signs of rot, it will not last very much longer without major repairs. After so many people campaigned for so long to get installed in the first place it would be a great shame to lose it.

After crossing the marsh and passing through the industrial estate Elwyn made one last-ditch attempt to coax Fiona onto the river path. However, she was having none of it and we all followed the Greenway back towards Meadow Lea. Elwyn and Fiona left us at Blacon to find their own home while the rest of us carried to complete just over 34 miles.

TC

See route map and/or gpx file download

28th May 2026: Holt

 Yet another glorious day, in fact the threat of temperatures reaching 28+ degrees meant that I had a pan flat route in mind. There were approximately a dozen members including DM in his civvies. Good to see DP, although on his own. And a new face to me at least, Anthony, who then joined my group on his e-bike, which I wasn’t aware of, however, more on that later.

 

The rest of my group became Ken (which was ominous, as he’s a fast boy) Clive, CB1/KK (Alan),TT2 ( Teflon Toby) and me of course. No Thief this week; I believe he had some paintwork he was watching dry and CB2 must have been supervising, as he was also absent-Lol.

 

I believe CB2 was in fact resting up for his 100 miler in Kent at the weekend. Everybody was sat outside, which was an indication of what a lovely day was expected. It must have been the sun as there was a lot of talk about holidays-Lol. I believe there was just 2 groups, with DH leading the rest of the club into the Wirral.

 

Anyway, we got off to a sharp start, again gaining a couple of late additions I didn’t expect, which to be fair added to the ride overall.

 

I had a last-minute change of bike, before I left Tattenhall, due to the overnight rain, which, for our more north westerly members, was torrential apparently and supported my reasons for switching to the Giant (complete with mudguards) which ultimately was not necessary-Lol. This also meant I was without my new saddle and therefore felt wary of my original 60 mile ride plan hence, not only the bike change, but also a last minute change on the group ride plan, in order to shave off a dozen miles, which was agreeable to the others anyway.

 

So it was that we set off along the Greenway to Blacon, cutting out the more interesting northern loop via Backford which I had intended. However, my lunch destination was still the same - Commonwood Fisheries. This was an attempt to catch them open this time- Lol.

 

Immediately, CB1 was up to his antics, dashing off up the Greenway ramp, for whatever. We came across him just idling, a mile later and he then promptly took up his usual rear station position, more on that later :-( With that early regroup, somebody then remarked that maybe we would pass lastminute.com going the other way, as he was a notable absentee at Meadow Lea - Lol.

 

It only seemed like 5 minutes before we turned  off at Blacon, heading downhill, dodging the speed ramps and then a swift negotiation of Sealand Rd ( a necessary evil, although there is a perfectly good cycleway that we hardly ever use for some reason. No doubt my fault- Lol) This lead to the inevitable regroup and a chit chat as we cruised down to Saltney Ferry bridge.

 

We crossed the river Dee and immediately felt the fairly stiff south easterly winds, which would become a headwind/ cross head, all the way to Commonwood Fisheries. It wasn’t long before that really hit us in the face, as we skirt the edge of the Saltney estate, along Sandy Lane. I pushed hard on the pedals to counter the headwind and after a few hundred metres, my trusty Derny (TT2) came to the front and took the wind, which meant our pace was maintained. After a couple of miles, somewhere along Lache Lane, Ken took over the front and continued our pace and in fact increased it to a lovely almost tempo pace. However, although nice for us, this pushed Anthony to the limit on his e-bike of course ( in case anybody doesn’t know, there is no motor assistance above 15mph, unless you have one of those unrestricted ones you see the ‘hoodies’ riding- Lol.)

 

After reining in Ken, we regroup again and got into a discussion about our lunch venue, which meant Ken decided he would turn off in Rossett.

 

Somewhere between Doddleston and Pulford, I decided that a call of nature was required and accelerated past Ken, informing him that I was going to stop up the road and 100 metres or so later I made the signal for slowing down and shouted “stopping” Then a few seconds later  I heard a strange sound and looked over my shoulder only to see CB1 on the ground and Clive looking perplexed to say the least.  Unfortunately, CB1 failed to pick up on all the signals and promptly ran into Clive. Fortunately, there was no serious damage to him, bar a minor elbow graze. Clive’s rear wheel suffered a bit of a kink I believe.I know that sometimes I can be a little lacking in the notifications for turns and stops, but on this occasion I was not in the wrong. I know Clive is hard of hearing, but running into him, just to let him know everybody was stopping was a bit extreme I thought- Lol. Clearly CB1 is helpless without his spiritual brother CB2, which explains why CB2 always rides in front of CB1, as a guide of course -got it now-Lol.

 

Anyway, nothing serious in the end, although I recommended to Clive to not trying to straighten the wheel himself, as that is a bit of a dark art, I have successfully done just about every job there is on a bike, including carbon frame repairs- Lol, but not wheel straightening.

 

We got going again and very quickly we were through Dodleston, Pulford and Rossett. Half way up Marford Hill (Hoseley Lane) at another regroup, I realised Clive had also left with Ken, just before the climb. Clearly Clive was just as scared of Marford hill as Ken was - Lol.

 

We were only a couple of miles or so from our lunch stop when I suggested going the long way around to add another mile on. This was because I had only 17 miles completed on my Garmin. However, I Had forgotten that I had rebooted it after a couple or so miles into our ride-Oops. So we didn’t need the extra mile- Lol.

 

We arrived right on 12 and the place looked really cool. They have now added a big outside area covered by a massive circus-like tent awning as an extension to the outside covered pizza bar area. Anyway, just as we were all sucking in the atmosphere and looking at the menu, the barman came back to tell us the breakfast menu was finished and the lunch menu started at 1pm.  After a pregnant pause, I think I came back with “there’s no food at all till 1pm?”, which was confirmed, with the caveat that the chef was obviously changing menu’s and needs the time to prepare —what! Who’s ever heard of a place that doesn’t have food at lunch time. We were all flabbergasted, but clearly fisherman must have strange habits -Lol.

 

Back on our bikes for a short 2 miles to Holt and Maggies, after a very brief discussion. 

Anthony came up to my shoulder, just as we turned right into the full on slight uphill headwind. I encouraged him to use that electric power to pull us all into Holt, which he admirably did.  Probably the best mile+ into wind I have ever enjoyed-Lol. 

 

I remarked, as we pulled into Maggies, that I reckoned it was the first time an e-bike member had ridden on the front when really needed, although I don’t include the likes of Clive and similar on racing e-bikes. Anthony was riding a much heavier 20+kilo bike. He kept it on the 15mph limit of the bike.

 

We quickly made our orders, although some people had trouble. Surprisingly TT2 asked me where I had got my crisps from, to which I pointed to the rather large crisp rack right beside him- Lol. And, as if infectious, CB1 then asked the waitress if there was Coke or similar, to which she pointed to the even larger fridge with rows of red Coke tins lined across the top shelf-Lol.  I began to wonder if the ride had been too stressful for some in my group, although I could forgive CB1 after his Flying Bombalini acrobatics, just a few miles earlier, but the prof aka Teflon Toby- well I never- Lol.

 

Lunch conversation was well varied notwithstanding the discussions on how Alan managed to run into Clive. the rest of lunch was as usual educational, literally -Lol.  TT2 enlightened us as to the restrictive difficulties he has marking GCSE papers, as he had hundreds to mark over the weekend. We also learned that in Bhutan the Government declares ‘happy days’, occasionally, by way of a public holiday for the whole country, if they think the population needs it, due to poor morale or the likes -Lol. They declare a public holiday for archery practice, as it is their national sport. TT2 never fails to provide - who knew-Lol.

 

After a brief discussion about who needed to get back to Meadow Lea or not, it was decided we would all continue en route up to Bruera and then everybody continued to follow me home toward Tattenhall or at least until Newtons Lane, where they all turned left and head off past the new Cambers store, who have also re-opened Old Ma’s cafe as their own. TT2 and CB1 were going to lead Anthony back to Meadow Lea en route to Chester, although CB1 was parked up near Meadow Lea anyway.

 

I got home just 4 miles later with 47 miles on the clock with an AS of 15.2mph thanks to some spirited front riding by everybody - not CB 1 of course, as he doesn’t do that -Lol.

 

What I thought was going to be a difficult ride, due to another saddle change, turned out surprisingly comfortable for me, probably due to the work done by others that gave me plenty of respite from the front - cheers guys.  My posterior felt all the better for it-Lol. Suffice it to say, my expensive special saddle is now up for sale- Lol.

 

Great day out again, with lovely weather and good company, only marred by CB1’s contact with the tarmac. Hope you didn’t discover other sore spots on returning home, as is often the case.

 

Till next time gents

 

Neil.

See route map and/or gpx file download

21st May 2026: Whitchurch

 It was good to see Neil back in the saddle at Alison’s. Dave Matthews was still making progress with his health but was here to talk cars not risk riding yet. With some moderate riders not available this week it looked like just Ray the cruise adviser and me. Then guess who popped up last minute?  So it was that Dave Pipe joined us with the Black Bear in Whitchurch as our destination. It was a lovely warm day with a gentle breeze as we headed for Bunbury via Newton and Beeston. We the twiddled along familiar lanes with a less common diversion by way of Haughton. Ray was generally ahead, (but waiting at junctions) leaving Dave and me to have an unpressured chat as we made relaxed progress. On the road to Wrenbury we took a right turn and weaved our way on very quiet roads to Marbury. A road closure on the route to Black Park had me heading more directly to Whitchurch instead. The terrain in this area is quite hummocky, so we were ready for our lunch stop at The Black Bear. Ray thought we were locked out of the back entrance, so started shouting orders to a guy in the back yard to get a key, who protested that he wasn’t an employee! He opened an unlocked door for us anyway. There was plenty of room and shade inside, and the food and service bob on. Our conversation was wide ranging with well-informed input from Ray. It is a credit to our members in these times of polarised politics that we respect each other enough to avoid unwanted arguments at lunchtimes.

Our route back was to be more direct as it was going to be hot, and I had Steve Tan to pick up at early closing Alison’s, also, my son’s car needed picking up from a Frodsham garage. Th e climb up to Wiswall is quite hard work on a full stomach, but a fine view across Cheshire is our reward. We drift downhill watching for potholes and heaped hot gravel before crossing the Llangollen Canal at Steer Bridge. The A49 is crossed at Bickley and we are still on narrow, peaceful sun-baked lanes up to the edge of the Cholmondeley Castle estate. The climb over Harthill is never easy if you are old, heavy and without electricity, but satisfying to crest and then bomb down straight to Tattenhall. Steve was sat waiting on a wall, and later drove the Berlingo with our bikes in from Frodsham to Runcorn while I drove my son’s car back from the garage; the air con now worked, just in time for the bakery oven days ahead. About thirty-seven soporific sunny miles covered. 

DH

21st May 2026: Tattenhall

 My last ride was 3 weeks back, which meant I was a tad apprehensive, having had a minor surgery that makes engagement with the saddle a touch tricky-Lol. However, I made it to Alison’s, all of 2 miles-Lol and subsequently felt I could manage a short one of 30 miles.

There were approximately 15 in attendance, although I half expected to be riding on my own, as I did not know how many miles I could manage, which didn’t seem to bother the usual Mod + crowd. However, to my surprise I ended up with even more than usual-Lol. So, my group became the CB’s, The Thief ( back from his climbing sportif in Scotland), Clive, Nick, Last min.com, Toby aka Teflon and for today ‘Biggles’ -more on that later-Lol. And last but not least was the new slim lined Steve T- Lol.

 

We set off to the left and out of Tattenhall via the easy hill, otherwise known as Rocky Lane, towards the A41. We crossed over and headed for Carden Park, all of which provided natural cover from a south westerly, although not to strong. I think it was around here when Biggles came along side and then took the lead into a lifting headwind, but not before we caught up on what’s been happening. Biggles weekend was far more interesting than mine, as he got to fly in the back seat of a Spitfire (nice one Biggles!- Lol)

 

It wasn’t long before we arrived in Tilston and turned left toward Malpas, however, less than a mile later we turned left again into one of my favourite easy climbs (Scar Lane) which is a steady one for about a mile or so, leading us to the A41 again for the 2nd of 3 crossings, the other being at No Mans Heath, where we took the little walk through up to the recently resurfaced roundabout. We headed off right, downhill towards Malpas and then climbed the  ‘Cross O’ th’ Hill Road’- yes that is the correct spelling and name- Lol. I actually find it an annoying hill and not because it is super steep or long. 

 

Anyway, no sooner said than done we descend into Malpas and take the one-way system to our next left turn, the steep awkward little turn, literally around the ‘old cross’ monument, which has been there since 1873.

After a lovely quick descent, which saw me chase down Nick, just before turning right through Cuddington Heath, where we all regrouped before the next quick descent into Chorlton. After jumping the red lights on yet another load of roadworks with nobody working them, we turn right into Purser Lane, en route to Shocklach.

A few miles later we were through Shocklach and regrouping again after a bit of a spurt from me and Chris, but not the customary CER blast to the Farndon junction. I then realised Nick had already departed us, as he had to get home for 1pm.

 

Steve T then came along side, breathing slightly heavy, but riding well, remarking that he didn’t think the days pace was particularly slow, as he had been lead to believe it would be (I responded with “you can never believe anything Steve Hu says”- Lol). Our pace was in fact a little slower than usual, due to my last ride being nearly 3 weeks previous. 

After crossing the very fast Wrexham to Nantwich road and incurring the wrath of a dick head in a car, we headed up the road to Churton and Aldford beyond. Our pace was picking up, due to the light tailwind we now had, which was still helpful, even after turning right to Bruera. 

Platts Lane saw us slow a little as we turned right again and fully across the wind. The inevitable conversations then ensued about our lunch destination and who was going to stop or not. 

Chris and Biggles decided to carry on for Chester, via the canal road, so they left us just as we entered Tattenhall.

The remaining 5 of us arrived at Alison’s after 31 miles and an average speed of 14.2 MPH. We sat outside and our orders were swift as is usual at Alison’s. Plenty of conversation and cross table banter was had, not that I can remember any of it, apart from me taking the mick out of Shane’s little ride in Scotland- Lol.

Anyway, another cracking day with the club, great company on a lovely dry day - not a hint of rain either-Lol.

Till next time gents.

 

Neil.

See route map and /or gpx file download

14th May 2026: Birkenhead (mod)

 The day was cool and windy, but thankfully the sun decided to make an appearance as the ride progressed. With Dave Heath attending a hospital eye appointment and George Walker putting his feet up somewhere in the Lake District, this left just Mike and me to fly the flag for the ride.

Meanwhile, Clive and the others apparently chose culture over cycling and headed off to Liverpool for a Beatles tour. Jim and Trevor at least made the effort, riding to Ness Gardens before sensibly deciding home was a better option — and, being “two-wheeled tourists,” disappeared back the way they came.

Setting off with Mike, we headed towards Thornton Hough and Lever Causeway before making our way to Birkenhead Park, where Mike paused several times to take photographs for the ride report — proof that at least one of us was taking the day seriously.

We then headed through Upton, Greasby, and finally Hoylake. The wind was still cold, but with the sunshine out it turned into a very pleasant ride. I even managed to take Mike down several roads that, despite all his years of cycling experience, he had never ridden before. A rare achievement indeed — a bit like Everton winning the league.

Lunch was at Barbet’s and, with only two of us, we were served quickly and very well fed. Mike was particularly impressed with the range of food on offer, leaving absolutely nothing on his plate — always the sign of a successful café stop.

The second half of the ride was much easier, as the wind was finally behind us and kindly assisted us up Frankby Hill, which is never easy at the best of times.

I also took Mike on a small detour to see the house in Royden Park that was famously moved brick by brick from Bidston Hill in 1890. Apparently the owner, Ernie Royden, disliked his neighbours so much he moved the entire house rather than continue living next to them. Some people simply won’t compromise.

Passing through Irby Village, we headed back towards Thornton Hough and then along The Runnell Road to finish at Ness Gardens. Overall, it turned out to be an excellent day and a very enjoyable ride.

Thanks to Mike for turning up — otherwise I would truly have been Billy No Mates. As for the absentees, I trust the Beatles tour was less exhausting than cycling 38 miles into a headwind.

RB😁

14th May 2026 : Mersey Circular and Beatles Tour (mod+)

After a 70+ miler to Sandbach on Tuesday, we three, aka Ivan, Chris and myself, discussed a ride from Ness consisting of a reprise of the “Beatles Tour of Liverpool” coupled with a “Mersey Estuary” circular ride. I offered to cobble a route together based on some original gpx files and some of Ivan’s routes.

These routes have featured in CER ancient history. July 2012 was the Original Macca's Beatles Fab Four Tour following on from our President's Mersey Circular in April 2010. I then led a Beatles Reprise tour in Sept 2019. You can read the blogs by clicking on the orange highlighting. Ivan and I road all three.

I was the first to arrive at Ness but the numbers swelled to eight riders consisting of Trevor, Jim, Ray, Mike, Ivan, Chris, Toby and myself. All of us had enjoyed the brief shower including the micro hailstones and cold rain. Trevor and Jim were doing their own ride back to Chester, whilst Ray and Mike were off somewhere around the Wirral. 

We set off behind Ray and Mike but catch them up on their way to Raby and as we power on towards Clatterbridge. I’d deliberately designed the route to get to Birkenhead Central station by the most direct route via Kings Road. Popping up in James Street, we head for the promenade which was not too busy. The obligatory photo is take of the Fab Four CER rides with the Fab Four in support.

CER's Fab Four outclassed by the Real Fab Four

We follow the promenade southwards towards the end of Brunswick Dock thence heading inland and uphill on our way to Ringo’s birth home at 9 Madryn Street. This area of early Victorian two up two down back-to-back housing has been beautifully restored for modern living. There is a small sign on No.9’s door evidencing that this was his birth home. The family moved just around the corner for the rest of his childhood.

Ringo's birth home

The pleasant run to George’s home is through Princes and Sefton parks, and runs up Penny Lane and skirts Greenbank Halls of Residence for Liverpool University and Wavertree Playground, another large green parkland. We arrive at 12 Arnold Grove where there is a Blue Plaque celebrating his life from 1943-2001. The area is pretty tatty really now as we leave for the long run down to John’s home. 

George's boyhood home

Approaching the Strawberry Fields gate stop, there is the inevitable Beatles Tour coach party admiring the now replica gates. The original gate is now within the Salvation army building which occupies “Strawberry Fields” for ever. John’s Auntie Mimi’s house “Mendips” is just around the corner with its own Blue plaque celebrating his life from 1940-80 as he lived here from 1945-1963. 

Strawberry Fields Gate ( modern copy) 

John's boyhood home

Onwards to Paul’s house, which like John’s is part of the National Trust (link here). We meet up with the same Beatles Tour coach party from Strawberry Fields and now at Forthlin Road. 

Paul's House in Forthlin  Road

 

Time to move onto the Mersey Circular part of the route as we cycle passing Allerton Cemetery on the way via a massive traffic queue, to skirt John Lennon airport. There is longish section of road to Hale where we briefly stop to visit the “Childe of Hale” statute and his grave in the nearby church yard. He was reputed to be 9ft tall and was presented to James 1’s court.

It’s getting a bit late for lunch now but I can’t resist getting to the Runcorn bridge along the Mersey riverside path. It’s an easy ride except for the long staircase section where there is no choice but to carry the bikes up the side of the bank. We are soon on and over the bridge and into the ’Spoons Ferryboat pub in lower Runcorn at about 1400

The stairway to Runcorn -from the top!

Young Chris's Hair comparison with the Childe of Hale

As ever ‘Spoons doesn’t disappoint as pizzas and other “highly nutritious” food is ravenously devoured along with a decent cold pint. Setting off again, the plan is to take the cycleways around Runcorn to Chester Road near Sutton Weaver. This we do, but not on the intended route - but we got away with it.

The final part back to Chester was the usual up and down 10 mile drag through Frodsham and Helsby. The return route uses the Greenway at Mickle Trafford to speed you onto Ness, but we all just dropped off  home in Chester area.

Apart from the short shower at the start, we had sunshine all the way today. So 60 miles all round for us Chester lads, and a cracking day remembering the Fab Four. Paul and Ringo have new solo albums out soon I believe. A well-worth homage ride  by the CER Fab Four to the undeniably world-class talent of the real Fab Four.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

Photos ID

7th May 2026 : Ellesmere ( Mod)

I was rocking along in the old Berlingo on the way to Holt when I ran into yet another road closure, this time at Saighton. When I eventually arrived at Holt, Maggie’s staff were very busy serving our riders. It was good to see that Jim had made it but he wasn’t out for the day. Trevor, Keith, George and me appeared to constitute the moderate group for the day, but Dave Pipe popped up to join us late doors. I had an intricate, quiet route planned to the Boathouse at Ellesmere. Fiona was in my face about not voting Green in the elections that day if I was keen on petrol cars. On checking their policies today, she has a point, but they are unlikely to impose their aims until I’m pushing up daisies.

So, we set out for Tilston via Wetreins, losing Dave Pipe on the way. He explained to George that he was still feeling the effects of a longish Tuesday tandem ride, also his bike’s battery was not fully charged. Through Farndon two of our group had galloped ahead to the B5130, so I think he felt that it was a pace he couldn’t sustain. I could have explained that once we settled in, the pace would be very moderate with me leading! I’ve been in touch with Dave since, and he had enjoyed a relaxed solo tootle down the lanes, so no harm done. 

It was another of those days when it was hard to know what to wear; we were into a cool wind starting out, but the afternoon was likely to be warm. Freezing fingered Krazy Keith was lusting after my woolly Widnes market gloves that are so unfashionable as to be street cool . We were soon flowing down the lacey lanes from Tilston to Threapwood and beyond. It was reassuring to have Trevor’s caravanner’s navigating nouse together with his Garmin Edge interstellar on-board computer that can even measure his glucose level and guide him to the nearest cake shop if it needs a lift. My own prosaic paper navigation system needed swopping at Hamner as I moved to my Shrewsbury area map. I had used Bryan Wade- like highlighter markings made the night before to indicate the intended route: pink outward, yellow for the return. Keith was keeping us entertained with his usual unprintable jesting, courtesy of our immense tolerance. 

We passed the old railway engine and the attractive station house just before the Llangollen Canal at Bettisfield. We then turned up Knowles Lane, and left along Rowe Lane to take a peaceful, deserted dog-leg in a sea of green growth and flowering fecundity. We emerged at Balmer Heath alongside the canal. It was here that I once lost Mike the Voice and Dave Pipe who then took the wrong turning, before they eventually joined us at The Mere for lunch. This time we managed to stay together and find all the correct turns through the lush little lanes around Lyneal and Colemere in the direction of Spunhill before rolling up at The Boathouse. The food was fine, and the view across the sun- spangled water was perfect. 

While we waited for lunch, I stupidly asked George how the proportional representation was going to work after the Welsh Senedd elections. If I remember rightly, George was involved with the setting up of the Welsh Assembly back in the late nineties. George’s explanation would have been too much for Laura Kuenssberg to take in never mind our puny brains. The lesson is; if you need time to eat don’t ask a mate about his Mastermind specialist subject. 

After lunch we took the quiet lane, left past the cemetery, on our trundle up toward Penley. We passed Woodland Park Lodges site which is hidden in Lion Lane Wood, and which I can recommend having spent a few days there with my wife and daughter not long ago. The ride back was direct through Holly Bush, Worthenbury, Shocklach and Crewe-by-Farndon. 

It was a brisk return by mod. standards, warmer and shorter than the outward ride, topped off by a wind assisted semi- sprint on the usual four or five mile stretch to Farndon led by Keith. About forty three miles covered, and probably sixty by Trevor and Keith. Great weather and great company.

DH