Todays ride was starting from Utkinton – Rose Farm Café and the Brisk riders were, Ken, Nick John W and myself. A proposal of Timbersbrook and Mow Cop was suggested. The weather forecast for today was windy and rain from 14:00'ish, but I’ll make the reference now that we had a fantastic wind-assist for a lot of the route both out and return, and no rain except a little drizzle on passing Waverton although a much overcast sky.
Before departing the café, there were a few moderate riders out today but we set off first heading towards Tarporley. We pass the Portal golf course and pass Eaton and the general route passing Darnhill to Church Minshull. We continue on the notorious A530 to Middlewich before turning off to visit all the humps on the housing estate’s before reaching the main A533. We go straight over passing the Salt works. The lanes skirting Middlewich to Breteton were splendid in the autumnal colours. Arriving at the cross roads with the Bears Head inn and, not calling in today, we continue along more quiet lanes although in need of pot-hole refurb before arriving at Brownlow Heath, then joining the A34 into Congleton.
We ride through the town and continue on the A527. The route should have taken us out onto Biddulph Moor and Timbersbrook but too late I missed the turning. An executive decision made was to continue on into Biddulph and head up to Mow Cop The lane up this side of the cop is a steady 9% and we were soon looking out over the Cheshire landscape. Continuing upwards we approach the folly at the top and the ascent goes up to 15+%. Now we were over the climbs for the day lunch was discussed after covering 37 miles from Utkinton. It’s 12:30, so another executive decision made to continue on towards Winterley before stopping for lunch.
We ride down Station Lane, a mere 20% descent, and, as the road was damp, a much slower speed was preferred. I stopped for a photo shoot and was following the others and half way down: "pssssss"and my front tyre deflated. Such is the state of this road that it was a pinch rather than a thorn or similar. John and Nick were in front but fortunately Ken also heard the escaping air and stopped as quickly as I did. We advised the others not to come back up and proceeded to change the tube.
We were soon onwards again and passing Scholar Green, Lawton and Winterley. We have ridden these lane’s many times over the years and our lunch stop is now Bradfield Green near Leighton Hospital. Arriving at the "Coach & Horses'" we have covered 49 miles since our coffee at Rose Farm and were soon tucking in to home-made pies complimented with fresh vegetables, mash and a good size gravy boat.
Our route from here is to Church Minshull, Wettenhall and Eaton. The intention was to stop at the Old Fire Station cafe in Tarporley for cake, but John and I decided to continue on to Chester, while Ken and Nick rode on to Rose Farm to collect their cars.
We were passing Waverton and the weather started changing and a light drizzle was dropping on us.An eventful day with good cycling and a happy group. Thanks for making this a memorable ride, one of my favourites as it is over my old riding patch. The round trip to and from the café was 64 miles but for John and I we were approaching 80 miles.
See route map and/or gpx file download
ID
Photo JW
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