I check my email and Twitter this morning to find that Mike has suggested what appears to be a tough route down to Pontcysyllite Aqueduct and back along the old horseshoe pass. I decide to give it more thought on the way out to Caergwrle where we meet for elevenses. The new pedals feel fine after the trouble experienced last week and before long I join up with Brian for the final few miles. Graham, Jim and Mike soon join us at the Tudor House Café. Brian is enthusiastic about Mike’s suggested route urging us to “go for it”. Then he announces that as he has to be home early today he will leave us at one of the stations and get a train back!
In the light of a pronounced lack of enthusiasm on the part of the others an alternative of Cilcain is eventually seized on and agreed. And so it is we set off across the shoulder of Hope Mountain to Pontybodkin, through Treuddyn and Nercwys following the contours above Mold before descending to the Alyn over the river and up the stiff climb to Cilcain.
The White Horse Inn isn’t exactly buzzing today but the welcome is genuine and as Mike quickly notes the Brakspear’s Hooray Henley bitter must have been provided in my honour: excellent. The filled baps provide the sustenance while we chat and sort out the route back. A nice easy descent takes us down to the A541 where we cross and ascend the Halkyns to Moel-y-crio and then down to Rhosesmor. From here we take the Buckley route but instead of crossing the A55 to Bilberry Wood we take a right towards Hope dropping off Jim and Graham before Mike and I head back to Chester through Kinnerton.
A great day out along beautiful untrafficked lanes with a few hills for good measure.
Distance from Chester and back 50 miles.
BW
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