11th February 2010: Little Leigh

It's been -3deg C overnight but there's hardly any frost, the sun is shining, no wind and 4deg C for the rest of the day.  I meet up with Ivan the Rocket just to see if he can get me totally wasted before the ride starts - from the Ice Cream Farm.  We're there first and soon we are joined by those who have travelled at less than warp speed: Brian M, Dave P, Liz, Bryan and Clive.  Bryan's got a crook heating boiler and crook fitness (note that two have just returned from Oz) so "I won't be riding today."  Which generates the equivalent of the standard Harry the Bike response of "Well shove off then."  Brian (proper spelling) pulls out a laminated OS with a mess of orange marker on it, "This is where I thought we could go, but I couldn't find my way round unaided."  No more offers, "What about you, Ray?"  "Well, I thought: Huxley, Hoofield, Clutton, Kelsall, Yeld, Brines Brow, Hatchmere, Norley and Crowton.  If we're early at the Hare and Hounds we'll carry on to Little Leigh.  Then return via Acton Bridge, Cuddington, Oakmere, Oulton, Rushton, Tilston Fearnhall, Bunbury, Beeston and back here."  "Can you do it without a map?"  "Yep!"  "DONE," in barber's shop five harmony.
Out into the bright sunshine the day is warming - more like Spring.  Ease the pace before the Yeld so we don't get clammy on the climb and then watch Ivan treat it like a ski jump - must put him on a lead or let his tyres down.  Delamere is lovely and then it's all downhill from Hatchmere.  We arrive at Crowton at 12:30, the gang can still breathe without sounding like sludge gulpers, so it's too early to interrupt the enjoyment.  We take the lane opposite, which leads us down to the banks of the Weaver where we continue through the glorious scenery to the Acton Bridge bridge at Little Leigh and the appropriately named Leigh Arms.
Over lunch, Clive is airing his thoughts on acquiring a proper bike but has little experience.  "Tell you what, Clive, Have a ride on mine on the way back.  Then try Ivan's to check out a rocket."
After a lovely meal (pub is recommended) we change route slightly so that we can take in the route along the Weaver again.  Then up Bent lane and head towards Cuddington - a new route for me but I think I can remember it.  We end up in Cuddington.  "Hey Brian, we should be further west."  "You're leading."  "You've got the map."  We have 'constructive talks', as the expense fiddlers say, and agree on a 1 mile retrace whereby we're bang on route and I'm on home ground.  By Tilston Fearnall Liz, Brian and Clive are dropping back a little and I think the latter is not just being sociable - significant.  So I promise a 'dawdle' back to the ICF.   Now, on entering Moss Lane coming out of Bunbury we stop while Clive mounts my stallion and I mount his Percheron.  "We'll swap again at the bridge after Beeston."  "Right-ho!"  And he disappears into the distance with no sign of his former fatigue.  In the appointed pits he takes the Rocket and Ivan the carthorse.  Ivan manages to take his wheel as Clive burns rubber.  As we reach the ICF they are waiting, "I've told Ivan not to wrap it: I'll take it as it is."
Then it's a drink and reflection over a pleasantly spent day going round in circles.  47 miles from the Ice Cream Farm.  But I still have to suck the Rocket's wheel, with Dave taking mine, as we hang on for dear life back to Chester.  Total distance 69 miles at 13.1 mph average.
RH