It was bright, dry but chilly, due to the north wind, when we gathered at The Castle Bistro in Chirk. The ‘mod’ riders were Steves Hu and T, Andy B, Alan and Dave H. Today’s destination was to be The Queens Head pub at Queens Head, a ride lead a year ago almost to the day by Steve Ha.
We set off
along the usual route down Chirk Road towards the A5, but, at The Poacher, we
turned right into Oaklands Road heading for Weston Rhyn and the southerly lane
which runs past the Old Hill Fort and into Oswestry. This was to avoid the rough lanes through
Hindford which would probably also be muddy after the rain earlier in the week.
A little way along the lane the farmer had been cutting the hawthorn hedge so we
took the precaution of carrying the bikes a few hundred yards along the lane until
we judged it safe to get back on.
We
navigated successfully through the housing estates surrounding Oswestry and
eventually found Middleton Road which led us out to Ashton Gates, where we
crossed the A5. From there we passed through Maesbury and Knockin, where one of the radio telescopes that make up
the Jodrell Bank MERLIN (Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network)
radio telescope array is located.
Photo Shu
We turned
east as we passed through Kinnerly and crossed the A5 again before heading
north for West Felton and Queens Head, where we arrived just before 1pm with 23
miles covered.
An
excellent lunch of paninis, wraps or baked potatoes with drinks of tea or
squash was consumed to fortify us for the return leg. We were all geared up to
go when I saw that my rear tyre was flat. Had I picked up a thorn near the Hill
Fort and it had taken all this time to go through the tyre? Whatever the case,
the team set to and quickly found the thorn, removed it and replaced the tube. Unlike
last week, inflation was almost instantaneous, thanks to Alan’s gas cylinder.
Picture A.O.
Note Andy’s proactive stance as I wrestle the
tyre back on the rim!
Leaving the pub along the road alongside the
Montgomery canal, the clouds that had threatened to bring rain before lunchtime
had cleared and the day was now sunny and warm. Near Rednal we had our first
brush with one of the huge tractor/trailer combinations which zoom around the
Shropshire countryside. The straight road seems to encourage them to run at
full throttle, regardless of who els is in the road.
Having
crossed the canal, we were soon in Welsh Frankton where, once again, we
diverted from our usual route to avoid the dreaded roads at Hindford. A route
along little lanes through Perthy and New Marton would take us to St Martins.
But before we got there, at a point where the lane was very narrow, muddy and
steep, along came an enormous green tractor and trailer which filled the whole
road. Steve Hu, Alan and I took refuge in a gateway along with a lady with Jack
Russell terrier to let the tractor go by. It met Dave H and Andy a bit further
down causing them to dismount and the hill was so steep and muddy that Dave had
to walk his bike up it.
We were
soon in St Martins and heading for the roundabout at the A5. Alan, Andy and I
crossed first. Dave and Steve Hu decided to take the direct route along Chirk
Road back to Chirk, whilst Alan, Andy and I stuck to Steve Ha’s original route
back which went through Weston Rhyn and down to the Ceiriog valley before
climbing up to café in Chirk.
In all 38
miles covered along a mixture of country lanes, suburban roads and crossing the
A5 three times. Thanks to all to their company and support, especially with the
puncture!
ST
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