An excellent day was in prospect for the first ride of 2024 given the weather forecast was for a cloudless though cool day with light southerly winds. Eight to ten riders arrived at the Delamere cafe, some just for coffee, and unusually, there were more brisk riders than mods.
With a lack of ride options on offer, I put forward a brisk ride of 46 mls to the Aqueduct Marina at Church Minshull. Shane, Alan and Matt took up my offer and we departed on time. Initially we headed out through Kelsall before turning south via Beeston to enter Bunbury. Here we changed direction crossing over the A51 and, following a speedy meander through the lanes around Wettenhall, we arrived at our lunch venue at the Aqueduct Marina with 27 mls completed. Our food orders were very speedily delivered and within an hour we were ready to depart for Delamere.
Considering the amount of rain we have been subjected to recently, our route was in a surprising good condition with only a few areas standing water and debris to negotiate. Our return leg was out past Oulton Park race circuit where Matt, who had cycled in from Chester, decided he would leave the group and head for home making his a ride of approximately 75 miles.
Myself, Shane, and Alan had left our vehicles at Delamere, so we continued on, crossing over the A54 through to Sandiway and Norley before arriving back in Delamere and completing today’s 46 ml circuit.
The first ride of year was ridden in near perfect conditions as the forecasted weather proved to be correct. There were only a few pockets of standing water to negotiate and there were no mechanical or navigational issues. So all in all, a totally uneventful and peaceful start to the New Year cycling programme.
Thanks to Shane, Alan and Matt for their company today.
See route map and/or gpx file download
KP
Photos AO and MT
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