Meeting for today’s CER ride was the railway station cafe at Delamere. John W and I decided to ride out and it was pretty chilly but better climate conditions than last Thursday ride. At the cafe there was a good number of moderate riders and also Clive and Nick to join the brisk group. Tea and tea cakes finished, the four of us venture out into the chill and ride.
The road from the cafe to Hatchmere must rank as one of the worst surfaced roads in Cheshire although writing that there are several others we have to ride also. Today’s ride is a longer route to Dunham Massey and a shorter return leg to cater for the excellent selection of home made pies and a £2.00 pint we expect to eat at The Vine pub. So after taking the junction at Hatchmere, we head to Norley and Sandiway.
Taking an unusual route into Winsford, my Garmin got us completely mixed up and also a resulting puncture. Not sure if it was the debris on a cycle path or too many pot holes, but a snake bite was evident. Tube replaced and were off and head to Bostock and into Davenham. Taking the usual lane past the Davenham small theatre and the church, we continue the usual route towards Bucklow Hill and Rostherne.
I now suffered a second puncture at Lostock Gralam, and whilst carrying out repairs, a white van man slowed and enquired “Did I see you guys at Winsford fixing a puncture”. I wish I could have thought quick enough for a suitable response.
At the Tatton Park gates, John comments that he knows this road and a reply was its a good sprint road to Ashley. Nick was first to unleash his power and up the watts and I tried to follow thinking John will pass in a minute. Sure enough at 27mph (my speed), a rider passes me but not John, then, the whoosh of rubber and John’s on his wheel both hunting Nick down and gone into the distance so Clive and I just try and pace the others only to be passed by another chasing Peloton, give up!! They were probably a third of our age though.
The road runs into Hale, but there is a detour on the Garmin again at Ashley Hall. We are routed along a pathway cutting a large corner off, if heading towards Bowden which we were, so we stop and search the oracles on our phones. Consensus achieved, we take the path and are pleasantly surprised by the quality of surface except at a farm entrance which changed from tarmac to cobbles, so okay if riding a Rubaix!
After two punctures, we arrive at The Vine but oh dear, Covid must have struck hard as its shut and well locked up. Best made plans!!! To the "Rope and Anchor" we go arriving at the same time as a second funeral party; so Plan C is the Dunham Massey Farm cafe. We enjoy a quick snack and considering its now 14:00, we’re keen to get on our way. No other incidents deter our progress back to Delamere but, being slightly later than expected, on dropping down the hill from Anderton into Winnington it is now manic with many vehicles desperately trying to go faster than us to get the kids home for dinner and homework.
With heading West, we’ve ridden most of the afternoon with a very bright sun rendering us with limited vision. On such busy roads, I make a wrong turn so we decide to re-route and pass Hartford station before the sharp righthand bend heading away from Sandiway. Back on course, we are only a few miles from Hatchmere, where John and I continue back to Chester and Nick and Clive to return to their cars.
Having an issue of two punctures is a much happier situation to be in with so many willing hands to help; so thanks to the group and to Clive for donation of his spare tube.
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| Home a little later than planned! |
The route is a 63 miles round trip but the extra mileage to Chester gave John and I 84/90 miles ridden on a lovely sunny winter's day and our bikes much much cleaner than last week's Shropshire mud ride.
Home before dark, and many thanks for another good day out
See route map and/or gpx file download
ID
Photo JW
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