Five of us had been out on a 60+ mile loop out from Chester and back on Tuesday. This started off cold but crisp and in the sunshine along the river path. Around Wrexham, the misty gloom came down and the temperature dropped as well and never got above 5C. It would be the same today without the sunshine though.
Ivan had put together a 50+ miler out-and-back from Delamere to The Vine at Dunham Massey. I suggested a modification in that we wouldn't need to go back to Delamere (as all the riders had ridden out) but make it a 70+ miler as if we had all started from Mickle Trafford. So if you are looking for such a ride - then here it is!
The station cafe was busy as I joined Ray, Steve T and H for coffee – to warm up! It soon became much busier with a dozen or so CER members. The Brisk group consisted of Ray, John W, Richard, Ivan and myself as we set off along with the Mods, up the bumpiest road in Cheshire heading for Acton Bridge. Down Norley Lane, hedge cutting was in progress and Ray picked up what he thought was a problem with the thorns – but it was just a large thorn twig wrapped around his front brakes – a narrow miss then.
The other side of Acton Bridge, we divert westwards down Heath Lane crossing to Higher Lane. This manoeuvre we would repeat on the way back as it was the cross over point of the figure-of-eight shaped ride. Hatton comes and goes as does Walton Hall Golf club. I notice here that a lot of the trees are still in full golden autumn leaf. Now we are wiggling through Appleton and Grappenhall towards Lymm.
We arrive at The Vine soon after opening time and 36 miles from Mickle Trafford, and inside there are already two formation drinking tables in evidence. Service is brisk as we take the window seat with a view of the Primitive Methodist Church across the road. Prices have risen here I noticed; however, the food was quickly delivered and of good quality, although the “smaller plate” option was quite small..
Conscious of the gathering gloom, we set off for High Legh via the “Swan with Two Nicks” bridge transfer. We work our way around the old airfield and the Arley Airstrip towards Antrobus. The old airfield was the Royal Naval Air Station Stretton (aka HMS Blackcap). Wiki details here. As we approach the centre of the figure-of-eight transfer, I worry that the Garmins will interpret the need to go back down the outward route – but it works fine without a blip.
The rest of the route is straightforward once we get on the A56 in and out of market day Frodsham and Helsby all the way back to Chester. So another good day out with 70+ miles ridden at 16mph average – not bad considering the cold and the many lanes we rode down today and fortunately no incidents to report on. Back home by 1530!
So, thanks to Ivan for the original route idea and lunch venue and to Richard, Ray and John W for dragging me around the lanes.
See route map and/or gpx file download
CA
No comments:
Post a Comment