A reasonable
sized group of riders met in the morning sunshine at Rose Farm, including
prospective new member Graham who had ridden up from Malpas. In view of a
promised wet afternoon the moderates decided to follow the tried and tested
route to the Bhurtpore Arms and hopefully get back fairly dry. Led by Dave P
and Liz on the tandem, and myself, we were joined by David M, Keith, and Andy B,
and set off towards Cotebrook, Oulton Park and Reaseheath College. A slight
hitch appeared in the plans in the form of a road closure on the lane just
after the college but in true cyclist manner we decided to ignore it and hope
we could push through. No chance - just prior to the canal bridge we were met
with a barrier manned by a “jobsworth” who resolutely refused to allow us to
push our bikes across his nice new tarmac. We eventually took the alternative
which was to push our bikes across the nearby field [I’m sure the corn will
re-grow] up some steps, under a line of barbed wire and onto the canal tow
path. From there we went to the marina and back on route. Down to Acton,
Ravensmoor, Wrenbury and arrived at the pub at a reasonable time.
Suitably
refreshed David M set off early, hoping to get home before the rain and we
followed some time later. Back to Wrenbury, Chorley, Faddiley, Bunbury and
Beeston. The group split after the hill up from the Shady Oak, still in the dry
much to our surprise, with the tandem and Keith going back to Utkinton and Andy
and myself heading up through Greenlooms back to Chester. The rain started just
as I got through Christleton, sadly promising a wet end to the day for Andy and
probably Keith too.
About 40
miles for the official ride - longer for others!
JD
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