With a Trek road bike parked outside the Rose Farm Garden Centre café I guessed that Jim was joining us after his recent skiing trip. Sure enough Jim was inside and soon the others arrived followed by John and Eunice Mawson who joined us for elevenses. Ray had suggested a ride to Audlem on a couple of earlier occasions. Today the choice of destination was unanimous and Ray was invited to lead. Saying goodbye to John and Eunice six riders set off through Tarporley, Bunbury and Brindley to the sound of conversation and a persistent birdlike squeak from Bryan’s bike. The application of sun-block to the left-hand pedal reduced the squeak to an acceptable level and good progress was made on traffic free roads through Ravensmoor and Sound before the final uphill pull on the A525 into Audlem. Here the Coffee Lounge Café was chosen for lunch, on Ray’s recommendation. With its courtyard garden at the rear, excellent menu and secure cycle parking this proved ideal. While we relaxed in the spring sunshine the staff prepared the food: sandwiches, soup, lasagne, tapas and scones - all superb.
Mike had to get back early to pick up his car from the garage so he bid us farewell and made his own way home. The remainder set off for Marbury in the warming afternoon sun. The day was proving too good to be true but to bring us back to earth Dave had a puncture! Once sorted, we continued on through delightful countryside on almost deserted roads by way of Hetherson Green, Brown Knowl and Bolesworth. Ray and Dave peeled off towards Beeston to return via Rose Farm Garden Centre while the rest of us headed past the Ice Cream Farm and the huge new marina by the Shropshire Union Canal which had been filled with water. The first boats will start appearing soon. Back on home ground now we headed to Christleton and the canal towpath back to Chester with Graham continuing along the River Dee path and the coast to Prestatyn. Another wonderful day.
Distance from Chester and back 68 miles.
BW
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