The wind became a major factor during this week with two storms scurrying through the British Isles. Taking this in consideration today was a key factor in route planning. On Tuesday, five Brisk Riders had wandered up the centre of the Wirral enjoying a westerly crosswind and lunching at the Weatherspoons “Master Mariner” establishment in New Brighton. During this ride, I had found two new sections of quiet roads or cycle paths to get us from Heswall Island in Woodchurch up to Bidston Church via Bidston Hill. Well worth the effort in finding new ways to get through Wirral.
Ivan had produced a possible route for today going somewhere near Manchester, but re-planned a route to Holywell in view of the westerly winds. This meant that we could enjoy a wind-assisted return after slogging up to Holywell, rather than having it in our faces if we had gone with his first suggestion.
So this is Ivan's route that John W, Ray and myself cycled with him leading ever upwards. The first 8 miles was very flat (Greenway to Boughton) and then very hilly for the next 23 miles! It started with a gentle slog up to Penyffordd, then via Llong, into and out of Mold High Street. The steady climb on the Gwernaffield road took us on to Rhydymwyn finally enjoying the 9% climb out along a lane which gave us panoramic views of Hendre Quarry.
The weather so far had been OK as were the lanes. Unfortunately being up highish, the rain turned to hail as we quickly donned our rain jackets for the long run down to the main road towards Bodfari. Luckily the hail stopped soon after it had started. Our enjoyment of the passing quarry lorries on the A541 road was short-lived as we turn off right, then up a short sharp hill, and then ever upwards for two miles to Mole-y-Crio. Rushing down towards Lixwm via Rhys-y-cae, it is up again to Brynford. We thankfully now slide off the hills on the fast road down and into Holywell High Street and into the Wetherspoons' “Market Cross” pub
.
As ever, there is a warm welcome here just as the rain arrives outside. Our food came pretty quickly and as normal, we are not disappointed. My 8” veggie pizza, plus a bowl of excellent tomato and basil soup and a coffee was little over a fiver!
As ever, there is a warm welcome here just as the rain arrives outside. Our food came pretty quickly and as normal, we are not disappointed. My 8” veggie pizza, plus a bowl of excellent tomato and basil soup and a coffee was little over a fiver!
Ivan's original route would have made us enjoy a few more miles up to get back to where we had come off the tops, and then a run down through the usual lanes back to Connah's Quay. I had already suggested that perhaps we could just ride down to Bagillt and cycle along the coast road. This we did enthusiastically as we motored with the wind behind along the new wide cycle path which, with a recently re-surfaced road through Flint, made the run back to Connah's Quay very quick indeed.
I split with the trio along the river path just after the Blue Bridge to take the Greenway home, as the trio belted down the river path with a significant wind-assist. So only 52 miles back to Meadow Lea with 2800ft of climbs, and, thanks to Ivan's planning, the westerly wind didn't cause us too much trouble.
I got back home at 1500 just as the rain hammered down as it had apparently done on and off in Chester environs. So we were very lucky with only a smattering of hail over the hills and no rain to speak of.
See route map and/or gpx file download
CA
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