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Photographs by Ray Hardman
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A little philosophy (How will society replace the pub?) and also (Where will our legless youth migrate to from the club?) and then we were ready for the off as we had only completed 30 miles and still had 40 to do. Down through Goostrey and Twemlow Green where a photo opportunity presented itself with the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in the background. Then a minor disaster: a Google map 'road' turned out to be an Ordnance Survey track to Kermincham Hall in Swettenham. Can this be a Ray route, he who does not do tracks? After reaching Somerford as the most easterly point we started to turn into the wind to head back via Brookhouse Green and Brereton Green before taking the back lanes to Middlewich to cross the Shropshire Union canal. Legs were tiring against the wind and the pace was dropping, prompting Jim to phone home to give his ETA as 'sometime this month'. Graham still had 40 miles to do back to Prestatyn so the rest of us couldn't moan. So with.jpg)
Dave peeling off at Cotebrook, Mike at Tarvin and Jim at Vicars Cross it was left to me to take Graham back for some carbo loading and moral support before setting him off into the wind for his final 22 miles to give him 124 for the day; the rest of us managing around 80.
RH
Mike emailed on the 6th suggesting Swettenham as the destination, together with an outline route. A few minutes to get the route into the Garmin and all was set for the day, which was forecast to be sunny but windy.
So in bright sunshine and with a westerly wind on my back I arrived at the Windsurfing Centre to join Graham, Jim, Mike, Dave H and Dave McW the signalman (on his way to work) for tea and a chat. No dissenters on the route so eyes down for Swettenham, but keeping an occasional eye out for a good pub. Mouldsworth Hill warmed up an already warming day and the jerseys were soon opening like the leaves in the hedgerows. The lush vegetation, with its array of freshly blossoming wild flowers, was to be a constant feature of the day. We headed out via Great Budworth and Plumley at an easy pace as we knew we would have 40 miles against the wind on the return leg; so by the time we had reached Swan Green - just after Lower Peover - it was 1:30pm and lunch was beckoning as we spotted The Crown. It was warm enough for lunch in the beer garden so we could nurse our bikes while we sampled the menu. Luckily, lime and soda was just within spec. at £1:30p and we were well satisfied with the baguettes and jacket potatoes.
So in bright sunshine and with a westerly wind on my back I arrived at the Windsurfing Centre to join Graham, Jim, Mike, Dave H and Dave McW the signalman (on his way to work) for tea and a chat. No dissenters on the route so eyes down for Swettenham, but keeping an occasional eye out for a good pub. Mouldsworth Hill warmed up an already warming day and the jerseys were soon opening like the leaves in the hedgerows. The lush vegetation, with its array of freshly blossoming wild flowers, was to be a constant feature of the day. We headed out via Great Budworth and Plumley at an easy pace as we knew we would have 40 miles against the wind on the return leg; so by the time we had reached Swan Green - just after Lower Peover - it was 1:30pm and lunch was beckoning as we spotted The Crown. It was warm enough for lunch in the beer garden so we could nurse our bikes while we sampled the menu. Luckily, lime and soda was just within spec. at £1:30p and we were well satisfied with the baguettes and jacket potatoes.
.jpg)
A little philosophy (How will society replace the pub?) and also (Where will our legless youth migrate to from the club?) and then we were ready for the off as we had only completed 30 miles and still had 40 to do. Down through Goostrey and Twemlow Green where a photo opportunity presented itself with the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in the background. Then a minor disaster: a Google map 'road' turned out to be an Ordnance Survey track to Kermincham Hall in Swettenham. Can this be a Ray route, he who does not do tracks? After reaching Somerford as the most easterly point we started to turn into the wind to head back via Brookhouse Green and Brereton Green before taking the back lanes to Middlewich to cross the Shropshire Union canal. Legs were tiring against the wind and the pace was dropping, prompting Jim to phone home to give his ETA as 'sometime this month'. Graham still had 40 miles to do back to Prestatyn so the rest of us couldn't moan. So with
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Dave peeling off at Cotebrook, Mike at Tarvin and Jim at Vicars Cross it was left to me to take Graham back for some carbo loading and moral support before setting him off into the wind for his final 22 miles to give him 124 for the day; the rest of us managing around 80.RH
Despite Rays best efforts with toast and coffee, I did not cycle all the way home. Vicky met me just through Connah's Quay. It was going dark, honest. So only 110 miles. Must try harder in future.
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