There was a decent turnout at Ness, and it was enjoyable to have a bit of banter with our friends in the aspirational group. Please note that this banter was of the air fried 2024 variety with absolutely no hints of Micky Flanaganism. So, the leisure group consisted of Andy and Mike from Wales, Trevor who had ridden from Guilden Sutton, myself “from the edge of Frodsham”, and Ray from round the corner. Never having led on The Wirral, I chose a route that avoided too much urban confusion, and was largely along quiet lanes through the middle of the peninsula. Our destination was to be a café I thought I could rely on in West Kirby.
In order to stretch the miles out a little we headed south west to Burton before hitting the A540 near Badgers Rake House and then heading for the Oaks Farm track and the nice backwater lane with attractive houses beyond. At the Willaston-Hooton road we turned right, and then first left and on to Raby. Without a Garmin, I just had to check properly at the Raby mini junctions before carrying on up to Thornton Hough, Brimstage and Storeton. It is invaluable in these moments to have the know-how of Mike Gilbert (British orienteering champion 1905-1908 ) and Trevor’s Caravan Club field-seeking navigation skills. I would also like to commend the help from Ray’s local knowledge, and Andy’s vast audaxing experience, but I can’t: these two were as much use as the proverbial chocolate fireguard.
We were crossing our fingers on approaching the M53 underpass just before Storeton, because last time it was impassable with floodwater, but we were alright; the drains must have been cleared. From Storeton we headed west to Barnston, then to Pensby, Irby, Irby Hill and round Royden Park. It was at this stage that I recognised The Farmers Arms at Frankby, where I was privileged to be handed the baton as club secretary by Bryan Wade a few years back.
We finally approached West Kirby via well-heeled Caldy, passing the former Moby Dick a popular meeting place for the young in the swinging sixties. I led the troops to the café I thought I could rely on, but it had been demolished! Ray had suggested the café on the front, but we guessed it would be too busy in such a popular location. We headed back down Banks Road where I had spotted an attractive corner café with some tables available a few minutes before. The food at Cibo Italiano was very good, and the service was friendly, but it was a bit busy for just two people running the whole operation. We left for our return ride a little later than desirable.
The views along the remodelled seafront were as attractive as ever. Ray led us down the side road for accessing The Wirral Way. It was helpful that the guys were happy to use the Wirral Way to ensure a flat and direct return. They were willing to tolerate some bike cleaning when they got home. I am not so sure that they would have been so happy on a £6,000 bike, but at a rough estimate our five bikes together wouldn’t meet this evaluation. Like last week’s ride to Overton, after a full twenty something miles out we had a short, fast, largely wind-assisted return.
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| Photo by Mike G |
On returning to Ness we arrived just as the aspirational group also arrived. This avoided any problems for Steve Tan and myself as we had shared a lift, but Steve had left his mobile at home. I remember a similar problem a few years ago when Steve had arrived at Jim Dale’s and waited ages in the garden in very cold weather for our return. Thursday is when Diane takes her returns to M&S in Chester, so there was no one to take him in! Anyway, today we had enjoyed a mainly rural route in good weather and relaxed company. I particularly appreciated Mike and Andy making the effort as I know that they had already been on rides with their Welsh friends this week. About thirty-one miles covered today just from Ness and back, more miles for Mike, Trevor and Andy.
DH
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