It’s always difficult to decide whether to ride out to the start point of a ride knowing that it is going to rain at some point during the day. I decided that I would risk it and suitably cocooned in wet-weather gear and bib-tights, the rain didn't disapppoint. By the time I was in Waverton the rain had started albeit gently but persistently.
At Rose Farm cafe, I was surprised to see that Steve Hu, Alan, George and later Ray were ready to ride with Dave M, Trevor and Jim in civvies. Outside the rain had been developing nicely as Steve and Alan suggested a circular ride back to Waverton where they had parked their cars. So on the fly, I cobbled together a route based upon Alan’s suggestion of going via Tarporley and Beeston. George and Ray went somewhere else - I know not where.
We three set off down the hill and then left and out towards Oulton Mill and thence Eaton where I decided to veer left and down the long Winterford Lane to Alpraham. Recalcuating, we head for Bunbury via the long way round down Birds Lane. Passing by Tilly’s, the next leg comes to mind - Spurstow, Peckforton and Bickerton. Here we take Alan’s favourite Goldford Lane to slide to the south around Larkton Hill. It's then a drag up to Brown Knowl.
By this time the rain had already stopped and dry roads appeared. The route is easy now sliding around the less steep side of Harthill beside Bolesworth Castle grounds. A short sprint brings us into Tattenhall and the warm inner sanctum of Alison’s cafe by about 1230.
Alan and Steve chose the curry and I had the meatballs in tomato sauce smothered fries. We were ready for the warmth and the calories. Time to go and ride the short leg back to Waverton for the canal side photo and Alan and Steve’s cars. I rode on to the other side of Chester in sunshine.
So the route round was 34 miles for Alan and Steve with 49 for me to home. So, we all felt vindicated in giving the rain short shrift by getting out there on yer’ bike See route map and/or gpx file download
CA
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