14th July 2011: Mow Cop

The good weather that had been forecast for today certainly brought out the numbers with 13 members meeting for morning coffee at Rose Farm Garden Centre Café although Dave Hill was only there to stretch his legs before returning to work.  Marc, from Germany, had joined us again for his second ride with us.  So with Andy, Ray S, Martin, Liz D, Clive, Alan, Dave & Liz P, Ivan, Trevor, Brian Mac and me that made 13 of us riding.
Ivan had first talked about a ride to Mow Cop something like a year ago but there was always something against it.  Today was the ideal opportunity with a warm, sunny dry day forecast and clear skies promising good views from the top.  Yes, there would be a slight headwind against us on the way back but this was as good as it was going to get.  After a bit of ‘selling’, “it’s flat all the way there and back” and “it’s a lovely route along the lanes” and “there’s an easy way up for those, like me, that don’t fancy the direct 1 in 4 or 25% assault to the top”, it was agreed.  So Mow Cop it was after a year of indecision.
With Marc desperately trying to scoff a scone it was a little after 10:30 when I led out towards Tarporley before taking the left at the top of the hill to cross the A49.  Just after Eaton we came to a halt as Marc punctured.  Once the flat was fixed we made good progress with the group staying together as we cruised through Wettenhall, Church Minshull and down to brush the northern tip of Crewe before continuing east to Wheelock Heath.  Clive gave the pub a call at this point to warn of our arrival (good move Clive) before we continued to the edge of Hassel Green and Rode Heath with the mass of Mow Cop and its castle folly dominating the skyline ahead.  At the A34 in Scholar Green we stopped to split into two groups with those favouring the direct ascent following Ivan while I led a select group of four up the ‘easy’ way (as shown on the route map below).
The ‘easy’ way from the southwest provided a steady climb along pleasant lanes winding round as we gradually ascended to The Ash Inn at the top, thinking of the others struggling on the straight mile of unrelenting ascent.  The Ash Inn proved to be a good choice with Bombardier on tap to satisfy the ale drinkers and an excellent £4.50 two-course pensioner special.  Service was certainly friendly, if a little slow, and although it was past 15:00 when we left, everyone was satisfied.
Given the need to get back to Rose Farm before the gates were locked at 18:00 we gave the sights a miss this time and headed straight to the top of the direct descent for an incredibly fast drop to the bottom: more like going over the edge of a cliff than a road descent.  We regrouped at the bottom, took the opportunity for a photograph, and started the journey back.

Photograph by Brian Mac and Alan Jeffs

I had planned an easy route back but somewhere after Brookhouse Green Brian Mac suffered a front wheel puncture.  Martin, Liz D and Marc decided to press on back to Rose Farm alone anxious that their cars would be impounded.  Once Brian Mac had sorted out the puncture the remaining ten of us continued on the lanes through Brereton Green towards Middlewich where we took the usual loop south before making for Winsford, along the side of Bottom Flash and up to Whitegate Way.  Halfway along and Brian Mac’s tyre was flat again!  This time a faulty valve was diagnosed, but with time running out Dave & Liz P, Trevor and Alan abandoned the group and heeded back for the 18:00 deadline.  Only six left now to complete the ride once Brian had borrowed a new tube from Andy.  Back on familiar lanes we reached the turn off for Utkinton with ample time in hand, Brian left us in Duddon to collect his van while the remaining five rode back to Chester to complete a perfect day.
A round trip of 57 miles of wonderful Cheshire lanes and just over 80 miles for those of us riding from Chester.  It just doesn’t get better.
See route map and/or gpx file download.
BW