1st January 2012: Carden Arms, Tilston

Despite late night/early morning celebrations to see in the New Year, four members met at the Little Roodee for the annual ride to join all the other local cycle groups at the Carden Arms in Tilston.  The group of Dave M, Dave B, Clive and I set off at just after 10:00 heading for Hildegard’s in Holt for elevenses via Overleigh school and the cut through to eventually emerge onto Lache Lane before we were on the lanes through Dodleston and Pulford.  Clive and Dave M decided to pull in a few extra miles before elevenses and sped off up Marford Hill while Dave B and I took the Lavister turn for the direct route to Holt.  Not long after a yellow jacket in the distance heralded another cyclist making for Holt.  It was Tony Small, who had just passed Harry making use of a handy field.

By Holt it had started to rain so bikes were quickly locked as we made for Hildegard’s usual warm welcome.  Within a few minutes we were joined by Clive, Dave M and Harry followed soon after by Dave & Liz P and Ray.  Dave M announced the sad death of Jim Skelding, one of the founding members of C&NWCTC, and who as President for ten years in the 1990’s had contributed so much to cycling in the area.

By 11:45 it was time to leave but today members were intent on doing their own thing and in dribs and drabs we left Holt for Farndon and Tilston.  At Crewe by Farndon the main group was down to just three as Clive, Dave B and I made our way south to Shocklach before turning north to arrive at the Carden Arms at just after 12:15.  Most groups including Chester, the Fabulous Ladies, Wrexham, Mold and Watson’s Wanderers were already there plus a sprinkling of others.  With numbers around the 45 to 50 mark the mood was lively, even with the inevitable wait for food.

This really has to be the best way to start the New Year and renew friendships with members from other groups.  Then followed the presentation of the awards for the CTC TC after which it was time to depart.

We left with a large group comprising Chester, Fabulous Ladies, CER and some others for a relaxed ride back to Chester with the wind behind us.  What a great start to 2012.

BW