4th November 2010: Llanferres

The weather forecast was not wrong for once today: bright earlier on with rain in the afternoon. All those riding today agreed with the suggested route that would get us to the Druid Inn at Llanferres for lunch. A few riders were just out for the teacake and hot drink – but only one had a valid reason for not riding out today! So, seven bikes (eight riders) set off a little later than normal. The route took us out through Ewloe and the usual back lanes way to Northop. Brian Mac unexpectedly dropped off in Northop – not sure why, but we hope all was OK with him. It was unseasonably very mild and most riders had too much gear on for the climb out of Northop to the top of Halkyn Mountain. When the sun came out, the autumn trees were very picturesque, and several lanes were covered with pine needles, which were showering down like rain in the strong wind. Although the sunken lanes gave us some protection until we hit the top, we were not really prepared for the Force 10 gale “on the nose” on the exposed ride to Rhes-y-Cae and Lixwm. Missing the planned right turn (a current feature of my map reading), the group climbed back up across the main A541 to explore the delightful village of Nannerch. Wikipedia describes the village thus: “Nannerch is one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire, made up of the townships of Trellan, Trefechan, Trecwm and Tre Penbedw. It is a quiet and attractive ancient village, sitting on a bedrock of carboniferous limestone, overlain by glacial boulder clay with glacial hollows”. You never do know what you’re cycling over! Back on the A541, the Cilcain turn soon came up and the ever-climbing undulating road brought us to the White Horse crossroads. “Is this the lunch stop?” cried a few voices – “No, it’s a little bit further on” came the leader’s reply. Very soon we were on the thoughtfully provided counter-directional “cycle path” alongside the A494 that took us straight to the Druid Inn (alt. 260m) in Llanferres. There was a warm fire and an extensive menu, promptly served, and although tasty, a little bit over-priced or small portioned. However there were several beers to choose from and the lime and soda, at £1.40, was mid-priced.
Discussing the return route and looking at the wind and the rain outside, a less hilly route to get onto the A5104 at Treuddyn, was plotted i.e. we took the B5430 rather than climbing up to Eryrys. Thankfully the rain stopped after about an hour. The long fast downhill run to Pontybodkin and on to Penyffordd brought us eventually to the top of Bilberry Wood where Dave and Dave and Liz went back to their cars in Hawarden. The remaining four of us took the usual way back to Chester via the Saltney Ferry crossing. Although the circular route from Hawarden was only 34 miles, the Chester loop added a further 16 miles and there was 650ft of straight climb with most of the route uphill fighting against a very strong headwind. Cycling back along the Dee cycle path, Chester looked very foreboding against the dark cloud backdrop pierced by the big white fun wheel being erected in Castle Square.
See route map and/or gpx file download.
CA