It was dry and bright as I rode out to Delamere, but there was a blustery wind from the east which would affect us during our ride today. A dozen Easy Riders gathered at the Station Café - Electric Jim and Trevor were doing their own thing, Dave H was doing his and Neil arrived exhausted after battling the east wind all the way from Gresford and would do his own thing as well.
That left
and octet of Dave H, Steves Hu and T, Alan, Ever Ready Ray, Clive, George and
Roy who was still recovering from his collision with Dave H four weeks ago. Our
destination was the Swan with Two Nicks at Little Bollington, one of Dave H’s
favourites and on our list of favoured lunch stops, but somewhere that we haven’t
visited for over four years.
Our route out
took us via Hatchmere, Norley and Crowton to Acton Bridge, where we enjoyed the
run down Acton Lane to the swing bridge. Our climb up it later in the day would
be less enjoyable! Having crossed the A49, we climbed out of the Weaver Valley
heading for Comberbach. Just before
there, near the Cheshire Riding School, the lane is badly potholed and these have
been marked up for repair. Someone has written ‘Do all of it!’ in spray paint
on the road here. Perhaps we should do the same on the road from Delamere
Station to Hatchmere!
Going via
Budworth Heath, we followed Budworth Road towards Knutsford. The strong east
wind made itself felt all along here until we diverted from the route of four
years ago to take ‘Tan’s Tabley Transfer’. This allows safe crossing of the busy A556
close to where it intersects with the M6, but requires a ride along a very
rough section of road past Tabley Moss Wood.
Entering
Tatton Park at the Knutsford entrance, we were rewarded with the sight of a herd
of red and fallow deer.
Leaving the
park via the Rostherne entrance, we crossed the A556 near Bucklow Hill and turned
to the east again to run through Arthill across the M56 and A56, arriving at
Little Bollington just before 1 pm.
The Swan with Two Nicks gets its name from the
practice of swan upping. Swan upping was the means of
establishing a swan census, as all swans belonged to the Sovereign. Under a
15th century Royal Charter, the Vintners’ Company and the Dyers’ Company, two
Livery Companies of the City of London, are entitled to share in the
Sovereign’s ownership and it is they who conduct the census through a process
of ringing the swans’ feet. Those caught by the Dyers and Vintners are
identified as theirs by means of a further ring on the other leg. Today, only
swans with cygnets are caught and ringed.
Originally, the two
companies made their own marks on the birds’ beaks: one nick for a dyers’ bird
and two for a vintners’; today the two Companies use their own rings. This
practice provided the name of the pub. This was a 16th century pun, the word
“nick” also meaning “neck”.
Food and drink orders were quickly placed
and we were able to sit outside in the warm sunshine. As usual the food was of
a good quality, although a little more expensive than it was four years ago. Nevertheless,
the ciabattas, fish and chips and sandwiches went down well. The only blot on
the landscape was the sight of Dave H polishing his helmet, but the less said
about that, the better.
Our return journey took us along the busy
A56, but we soon diverted along Spring Lane to Oughtrighton and past Lymm High
School. After another short stretch along the A56, we hung left into Crouchley
Lane past Lymm Rugby Club and then right into Mag Lane where we crossed the M56
once more. From Sworton Heath, we were soon cycling through the former RAF base
at Stretton, which was set up to protect Manchester and Liverpool during WW II.
Parts of it are still in use for private aircraft.
Crossing the A559 and Antrobus , we
then followed the small lanes through Frandley to reach Little Leigh, where the
road was clogged with cars as it was turning out time at the local primary
school. Crossing the A49 at the swing bridge proved difficult and it was only
due to Steve Hu’s selfless action of walking his bike across that we were able
to reach the other side. The hill up Acton Lane provided a test of stamina to
all of us. At the top Dave H decided to cover the rest of the ride at his own
pace and so fell off the back of the peloton. The ride up into Norley provided our
last challenge and so we arrived back at Delamere a few minutes before 4 pm
with 49 miles covered.
Thanks to all participants for their support and company and special thanks to Alan for the photos.
ST
A very enjoyable day very well led by Steve.
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