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Retired, work part-time or shifts, enjoy being out in the countryside? Then cycle the lanes and byways of Cheshire and surrounding areas with Chester Easy Riders: you won't get left behind.
Chester Easy Riders is an independent cycling club affiliated to Cycling UK. We cycle every Thursday throughout the year with moderate and brisk day rides of 40 to 80 miles.

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Friday 15 July 2016

14th July 2016: Chester Station to Wrenbury (mod)

Today is the day of the Club’s annual long ride with 12 members scheduled to ride.  How many would show for the alternative, particularly as the start was changed at the last minute to the Chester Station Café as the Little Roodee was still closed?  I arrived early but soon there was a steady trickle of members arriving for coffee.  By 10:15 seven of us had assembled: Bryan, Chris, Mike McC, Trevor, Petar, Andy (after quite an absence) and Mike G.  No one had a pre-prepared route but Trevor volunteered a couple of suggestions and Andy a ride to Wrenbury.  With a minimum of discussion we plumped for Wrenbury.

At 10:30 Trevor led us out through Piper’s Ash to Christleton where Andy took the lead.  The weather was good and with the wind behind us we made good progress through Huxley past Beeston Castle and onto Bunbury resisting a stop at Tilly’s.   With the temperature rising we made a stop to shed a layer before pressing on through Brindley and Ravensmoor where we turn south criss crossing the Llangollen Canal for the final stretch to Wrenbury.

Photo by Mike G
The Cotton Arms was our chosen hostelry where the wide choice of real ales was much appreciated to wash down the excellent double decker sandwiches.  The discussion today was dominated by Theresa May’s new cabinet appointments as the sound of mobile phone alerts constantly announced new appointments.  With bewilderment at some of the choices Petar reminded us of Machiavelli’s dictum to keep friends close but enemies even closer!

After lunch a more direct and shorter route back was agreed through the lanes past Cholmondeley Castle, over Harthill and thence to Tattenhall.  With the wind against us progress was a little slower than on the way out but nevertheless we made Tattenhall by 15:00.  Andy took us to a new tea stop in the village, which unfortunately had just closed for the day.  The alternatives of the Ice Cream Farm and Old Ma’s were considered.  With the decision to head for the Ice Cream Farm Trevor took to the front to lead a somewhat circuitous route despite cries to the contrary from the back of the group.

After a relaxing coffee and cake we finished the ride back to Chester through Saighton where the group fragmented.  Overall we had done some 52 miles in true CER style.  A great day out in good company and ideal cycling weather.



BW

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