Me and my big mouth...After my Question 2 weeks ago to discuss having two groups, Bryan asked if I could choose a Wirral pub to host today’s meeting promptly at 12 noon. Living for many years on The Wirral, I find it easy to plan a ride here on its limited quieter roads. A big turnout was expected and with a decent forecast, I was overwhelmed to have sixteen at the start. I won’t list them but you can see them lined up in the photo below, standing outside my back garden gate. Ray is missing as he was taking a picture of the security camera watching us.
We set off south, only to stop after 300 yards to have a mini lecture from me on the historical significance of the “Holloway” and medieval hospital at Denhall. Circling north towards Ness, a further stop was made to admire an “erratic” boulder outside The Wheatsheaf, deposited over 10,000 years ago when the glaciers receded to the northwest. As my geographical gems were now receiving some abuse, I set off at a faster pace through the back of Neston village centre and along the bracing Parkgate Prom. Continuing north we entered Gayton (the posh part of Heswall) where some houses could not be seen from the road, as they were behind locked gates.
Photograph by Brian MacDonald
Down through Lower Heswall (passing an early Beatles venue in 1962), a little spice was added by climbing the long, twisty hill up to the town centre. Who said Wirral was flat? Crossing the A540, we skirted Heswall Common (who saw a much larger erratic there?) and under the Wrexham line at Heswall Hills Station. We traversed the peninsula along the busy B road through Brimstage to Clatterbridge. Crossing the M53 we cycled through Spital Cross, down past the Dibbinsdale river at Spital Dam and up through a huge sandstone cutting to cross the A41 at Bromborogh Pool. Sensing the pub was near, people sped up through the ever expanding Bromborough Industrial Estate and down past the old moorings for the Ship Canal. We were met at the Eastham Ferry Hotel by Alan on his bike and Liz again acting as a taxi driver for Martin.
The 2 for 1 meals proved as popular as ever, except for Clive who had a 5p reduction on his. Unfortunately, the 5p was delivered inside his dinner. The beer was good but with a more limited choice than usual. Replenished, Bryan called the room to order. For absent friends, the gory details of the meet can be found elsewhere.
As darkness was earlier after the clocks went back last week, we departed before 3pm up through Eastham Village and back across The Wirral via Childer-Thornton, Willaston and Burton. Dropping many Chester bound riders along the way, eventually five of us finished back at Ness for afternoon tea in the rather elegant Visitors Centre, having completed an easy and pleasant @@ (28??) miles.
If anyone fancies leading a ride for the first time, please email me for some ideas or advice.
BMac
Editor: Yes 28 miles confirmed. Is this a record?
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