13th September 2018: Barthomley (brisk)

The ride out from the ICF for brisk riders consisted of John W, Nick and myself.  The forecast was for a fine day with south westerly wind; so we decide to ride to Barthomley and the White Lion, a favourite lunch stop.

We set of out via Beeston and Bunbury. Over the past few weeks, cycle racing has figured greatly on our tv's and this style of riding taken on board today. The pace is pretty fast and heading towards Brindley it is a chain gang formation and probably around 20+mph average. Out to Ravensmoor, and continuing on to Broomhall Green, we have an altercation with a fraught car driver who waits for us to approach then pulls out from the right and cuts in front to turn left; what a plonker and a good job John couldn't catch him

We are cycling -very fast!

I make an error here and, instead of continuing to Audlem, I head towards Nantwich. Arriving in the town, we divert towards Wybunbury and Wrinehill, then pick up the route towards Betley. It's a nice uphill climb from Betley along Church Road and along Knowbank Road from where you get fantastic views of the Cheshire plain. You can almost touch Jodrell Bank it appears so close.

The riding pace hadn't slackened any, but as we are passing under tree-covered lanes, there is a call to halt. Nick had been stung on his eye brow. The sting still evident as a spear protruding the fleshy part of his eyelid. John was able to extricate the venomous spike but Nick's eye was already getting angry red and swollen. We're fortunately not too far from our lunch stop and on arrival at the inn the landlady provided an eye pack.

Avant-garde cycling helmet 

By the time we had enjoyed our lunch, the medicine provided and ice pack had worked sufficiently to continue our ride back. As a precaution a call home had been made, and assistance from Crewe can be made if needed. Due to high energy resources, we continue apace, and we are soon passing Crewe railway station and turning left to pass Gresty Road football ground and out to Shavington. A call home is made to confirm a stand down. We are heading towards Wrenbury and Cholmondeley and take a left and head for Old Coach Road Climb. After nearly 80miles from home, I wished I wasn't here!!

Over the top and rolling down we say farewell to Nick as he rides to home, and John and I continue to Tattenhall. We stop at the shop in the village to enjoy a Magnum ice cream and top up with water. 

Enjoying the sunshine, we are joined by the remains of the moderate group led by Clive. We all continue together to Hargrave and Christleton and back into Chester. An eventful day with 68 circular miles ridden and 18mph average, including 2565 ft of ascent, and, nearly 90 miles form home

Thanks to John and Nick for a hard day's riding, I'm out with the mods next week!.

see route map and/or gpx file download

ID

Photos ID and JW