28th March 2013: Great Budworth

There was a fine turnout at Manley Mere despite the cold and snow.  The Mallorca contingent had enjoyed their vacation and were now sewn back into their thermals.  Andy had been chatting to the Olympics star Sarah Storey at the carousel in Palma airport. She said that she had eleven gold medals, but he wouldn’t be getting one for his chat-up lines. On his own evidence that was the closest he got to a fit rider all holiday. The full cast for today’s ride was: Clive, Jim, Mike G, Trevor, Andy, Petar, Ray, Paul, Brian Mac and myself. Dave M. couldn’t make it, but had pedalled out for a coffee and chat. Sugar Lane and New Pale were given a miss because of the conditions. The snow bank behind us at Newton Firs was a dramatic backdrop, but it appears that the dazzling expanse of white was too much for Brian’s camera. We stuck to the B5153 from Kingsley to Acton Bridge.  

Photographs by Brian MacDonald & Clive Albany

The Weaver was crossed, and then we climbed up the wooded rise from the Trent and Mersey canal, riding into Ash Tree Lane on the other side of the A533. This area was now free of snow and ice as we headed up towards Frandley. More quiet lanes meandered north and we were soon passing through the gates of Arley Hall. We turned right down the long drive where I was reminded of the time I ‘did an Ivan’ and finished up in Warrington General. I added a westerly loop down Budworth Road, right at Frog Lane and right again along Park Lane with Pick Mere below on our left.  We were now enjoying the chill east wind on a better-protected pair of cheeks! I had phoned The George and Dragon at Great Budworth the day before to warn them to expect about ten cyclists at a quarter to one, and we were spot on. There was a warm welcome inside where it was busy, but two tables near the fire had been reserved for us. The food and drink was excellent, and it was hard making the effort to leave.  

The route back was intended to be sweet and short, but I decided to do a semi-Clive, and go slightly off-piste at Comberbach. Instead of turning left just past the church we carried on to Higher Whitley duck pond via Senna, Goosebrook, Old Mill and Norman’s narrow lanes. We crossed the A49 passing Grimsditch Hall and the former Millstone pub, reaching Frodsham by way of Dutton, Aston and Sutton Weaver. Pedestrian lights changing and traffic meant Trevor following a cyclist up Fluin Lane in Frodsham thinking that it was one of us! Communication was eventually made but not well synchronized, so after a while waiting in Main Street we purchased a voucher for Specsavers for Trevor and carried on to the Netherton Hall.  A left turn up Tarvin Road was followed by a steady pull up the Ridgeway. We were waiting at Four Lane Ends when Trevor appeared. Sugar Lane was now safe for swooping down and I had a last blast behind the speeding Paul down Manley Road. Some of us had a final coffee, and Petar was about to complete a personal best of 67 miles by riding back to Tarporley. Another typical and enjoyable Easy Riders day in good company. Ride distance Manley to Manley: 45 miles.
DH