An Indian Summer’s day had riders galore at The Gallery, but Jim and Martin only came for coffee. Steve had re-cycled a 2012 route and decided to lead a ride to “the 2012 pub find of the year” at Cwm near Dyserth. Bryan started with us to Halkyn, but the hills got to him and he pealed off, leaving Steve, John, Clive, Paul, Tom and myself on a fast ride. 
After passing through Babell and past the monastery, Steve announced that the pub only served food from 13:00, so an extra 10 miles were added near Trelogan. With perfect timing, we rolled up at 13:05. The jury in my opinion are still out on The Blue Lion, Cwm LL18 5SG tel: 01745 289229. I didn’t think it was that special and Trip Advisor reviews have 44 Excellent but 9 as “Terrible”, so you decide.Photographs by Brian MacDonald and Clive Albany
The return up over the steep climb that crosses the A55, saw just Steve and Brian going for afternoon tea after a sunny fast CER ride with 3,800 feet of ascent and 48 miles round trip back to the Hawarden Estate Garden Centre for coffee and obscene-coloured cake. If ever The Gallery is closed, this place on the old main road east of the town is very pleasant with plenty of parking
BMac
Research suggests that the Blue Lion "2012 pub find of the year" closed in early 2013 and reopened later that year under new ownership/management. It would appear that it never recovered its earlier status.
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