3rd February 2011: Wimboldsley

An impressive turnout of 17 met for tea and coffee at Manley Mere Windsurfing Centre on a bright dry day.  For the record, given the record attendance: Bryan, Clive, Andy, Dave H, George, Jim, Liz, Martin, Ray S, Trevor, Mike G, Dave & Liz P, plus a non-riding Dave M newly returned from Oz with his laptop to give us a slideshow of his Australian audaxes, and three newcomers Mike (a friend of Jim who would join us to Hatchmere) and Chris and Jackie who had met up with Mike G on the way out.
With strong winds from the southwest forecast for the afternoon Bryan suggested we head past Winsford, for lunch at The Verdin Arms at Wimboldsley.  We should then have the wind behind us on the return.  With no other suggestions on the table Wimboldsley was agreed and after seeing Dave’s slides (many thanks for bringing them in Dave) we set off for the Delamere Forest.  Mike left us at Hatchmere while the remaining 15 continued on through Norley, Cuddington and Sandiway.  Jackie and Chris left us at Foxwist Green to make their own way home for lunch.  Bryan led us through Whitegate to the Weaver Navigation, which we crossed on the wooden bridge before turning right on the river path admiring the industrial archaeology of the salt industry.  A first time for all, except Bryan, this section was clearly the highlight of the day.  All to soon though we reached the main Winsford bridge and rejoined the roads to bypass most of the town on one of the few cycle friendly roads in the area.  Of course it couldn’t last and eventually we were forced onto the busy A530 for the final leg to The Verdin Arms.
What can one say about the Verdin Arms?  Good ale, but dining pretentions far beyond their capabilities.  13 of us just proved too much for the kitchen, and front of house insisted on treating us as three separate tables rather than as a single group.  Table one had finished their meals well before table three had even a hint of food.  Even a humble sandwich proved to be a problem taking three attempts!
Once outside and ready to go, we were still short of three riders (table 2 no less, who had unwisely decided on puddings).  While Dave and Liz P decided to stay longer, I have never seen anyone polish off a pudding as fast as Mike G.  It was by then past 14:00 when the remaining eleven of us set off for Church Minshull, Wettenhall, and Cotebrook.  The Cotebrook café was closed when we arrived, as too was the Rose Farm Garden Centre café in Utkinton.  No afternoon tea and cake today.  The final leg through Oscroft back to Manley Mere was completed without incidence.
A great day out clocking 42 miles on the ride or just under 60 miles to and from Chester
See route map and/or gpx file download.
BW