Strong winds and heavy rain overnight were forecast to moderate during the day, and so four moderates arrived at the Castle Bistro in Chirk: Dave H, Steve T, George and myself. We debated a route, bearing in mind that a strong westerly wind was still blowing. Suggestions for The Talbot at Ruyton XI Towns were put on hold after a previous visit found that they were closed for food Thursday lunchtime. (However, having just checked, although closed some lunchtimes, they are now open on Thursdays, and we should plan a visit at another time.) Instead we settled on The Old Three Pidgeons at Nesscliffe, which I believe we have only visited once before in early 2018.
We started out on a familiar route through Hindford and the Franktons, and then followed a fast and generally smooth route from Hordley to Baschurch. It was then only a few miles through the Ness’s to our destination, though for the first time we were heading into the wind, and the going proved hard.
The Old Three Pidgeons is a free house which has been run by the same family over three generations. It’s a friendly establishment and serves excellent good value food and drink: well worth re-visiting. The quality of the pub seemed to be matched by the quality of the weather when we came out: blue skies and sunshine, almost spring like.
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| Photos bt Steve T |
Our route back took us north and west through lovely lanes and woodlands to West Felton. The weather for the moment continued fine, through the surface was less forgiving and I picked up a chunk of glass in my rear tyre. That’s the second puncture I have had in a few weeks and having been impressed last time by the use of Keith’s CO2 cylinder, I’d invested in my own and it proved its worth. We were soon on the road again, through Maesbury Marsh, Oswestry and Weston Rhyn. Steve T had left us behind as we climbed the hill back into Chirk, so we were surprised not to find him waiting in the café when we arrived. He soon turned up, having diverted to buy sausages – obviously something special.
We had a good ride of 40 miles with the muddiest wettest lanes nearest to Chirk. We’d had a mix of light rain, sharp showers and welcome sunshine on an enjoyable day. The sunshine unfortunately wasn’t an early sign of spring as winter storms are forecast for the weekend.
See route map and/or gpx file download
SH
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