10th December 2009: Christmas Lunch Ride

With another year drawing to an end twelve of us met up at Bellis’ Garden Centre café for our Christmas Lunch ride to the Calveley Arms at Handley.  The weather-man was clearly being kind to us today. The recent wet weather was a thing of the past although there was ample evidence of it as we crossed the flooded River Dee over Farndon Bridge.  The forecast cold snap was yet to come as we gathered in unseasonably warm and perfect cycling conditions.
After relaxing over elevenses we set off at a leisurely pace heading south to Shocklach before turning for Tilston.  Lower Carden was the decision point: do we go east via Clutton and Chowley or west via Barton and Coddington?  The western route was chosen and we continued through the lanes to arrive at the Calveley Arms at 12.30pm.

Photograph by Bryan Wade

The festive menu looked good and offered plenty of choice.  Before long orders were being taken, with stilton and port rarebit followed by Bolesworth pheasant, being the most popular choice for starters and mains respectively.  Conversation flowed and then quiet descended as food was served.  Did I hear a discussion of the best winter tyres coming from the other end of the table?  Both courses were excellent but whom had space left for pudding?  Some did but some could only manage coffee; whatever the choice everyone agreed it had been a good meal.
Then by 15.00pm it was time to leave with some heading to Waverton and Chester, and others back to Bellis in Holt.  Another great day with Chester Easy Riders.
BW