30th January 2025: Overton (mod)

 Well today’s ride….woke up and looked out and was surprised -  ice, ice baby ( Vanilla Ice ); anyway just thought let’s go . The gang that showed- me plus my driver, DH, Steve Tan in casual attire due to impending holiday (recovering as well from an introduction to asphalt), Shane, the half Welsh duo SHu and Alan, Clive, Ken, Nick, Ray and a late arrival representing the mob that can shift at a fast pace for ages,whereas me and my partner Dave kept to the script - moderate or as some car drivers liked to say knobs get a move on .

We headed after no discussion at all to Overton via lanes that were extremely muddy and icy so we took care to behave. The route started by passing through Tattenhall to get to Overton via a route made on the fly by Dave, who, as usual, put Garmin and other twenty first century navigation equipment to shame by using a map with more creases than my holiday luggage. We meandered through lots of exotic locations - Duckington, Tilston skirting Malpas to Tallarn Green, then to Holly Bush and into Overton, stopping for food at the Two Doves cafe . The lunch time discussion was…. oh well, time to crack on.

The route back was also cold, even with a good winter sun out, but the ice had mostly thawed. One thing that had been evident was the amount of flooding that has happened, with the lanes muddy and lots of water left, but these where actually helpful identifying the pots. Anyway, the route back went via Bangor on Dee passing the small but very popular horse racing venue, on towards Worthenbury, Shocklach, back through the hood commonly known as Tilston ( Runcorn pubs don’t have tether points for our ponies) then passing Carden Park golf club ( so wanted to shout 'fore!' to a bunch of golfers.. what a game). Anyway we then bumped into the Welsh partnership finishing their cycle meander around Cheshire lanes, whereas me and Dave had crossed the border into Wales, I only have one question concerning this. Why did the sheep all run in the opposite direction when Dave was passing? Just a thought . We finally arrived back at the cafe in Tattenhall Alison’s.  38/ 44 miles in great company putting the world to rights.

KB

30th January 2025 : Frodsham (brisk)

A dryish day in prospect as I arrived at Alison's cafe where Ray S was already into his cake and coffee. Very soon about 10 riders were eager for the off with Dave M and Steve T in civvies,

The Brisk Group consisted of Ray, Nick and Matt, once he had arrived from Walk Mill. Matt was sporting a new Swiss-made  titanium bike (even with Ti front forks and Rohloff gearing, massive tyres and  a carbon fibre "chain")  - must have cost a fortune but it should last forever.

We set off at a pace around Beeston Castle bound for Bunbury and Alpraham. Equally at a pace, we take the aptly named Long Lane to Wettenhall then Darnhall. We weave through pleasant Winsford suburbia on our way to Whitegate and the edge of Hartford.

Arriving at Weaverham, we dive right down to Winnington. After a while I realise that I had loaded up the longer route option. I had meant to drop down to Little Leigh to arrive near Dones Green. I decided not to admit the mistake but exited Winnington up the very steep Soot Hill near the Anderton Boat Lift. We take five to recover not just Soot Hill, but the high speed 22 mile run out to here.

Pushing on, we eventually get to the 2 mile long ever gently upwards Marsh Lane which enables us to approach Frodsham from the North East. At last the lunch stop is in sight. Matt needs to get home so carries on as we three stop at the Devonshire Bakery cafe right by the lights in the centre of Frodsham

We are able to order up very quickly and then access Whatsapp to discover the shocking news of Ivan's medical emergency whilst on holiday in Spain. Ken had been in contact today with Ivan and passed the news onto us and Dave H. Whilst Ivan is recuperating in hospital, apparently he is concerned what has happened to his bike and where it actually is - like we all would be! 

I feel I must tell Ray and Nick that I had inadvertently taken the 4 mile longer route thus pushing the distance ridden from home before lunch to 45 miles+. The food is good and very welcome. We discuss the way back and we three take the long hill out of Frodsham towards Hatchmere. Nick motors on for home, whilst Ray and I take the Delamere forest road back to Chester via Manley.

Arriving back home I find its nearly 70 miles today and the 15 mph average belies the fact that we were going a lot quicker than that for most of the route - except for the hills and the minor rain shower.

So many thanks to Ray and Nick for riding with me all the way round, and to Matt for slogging his new bike through muddy lanes  - but at least it will not rust! Hopefully Ivan will recover quickly and be back in the saddle again.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

30th January 2025: Whixhall Marina (mod+)

Today was a first -  I enjoyed my coffee inside at Alison’s, the reason being the cold had driven the CER hardcore all inside. Whilst it was a balmy four degrees Celsius in North Wales it was somewhat cooler and icier on the Cheshire plain.

The assembled crew split into a mod, mod + and a brisker group. Shane, Alan and myself had planned to use Neil T’s dry roads route we used in autumn '24, with a lunch stop at Holt.

So, the three musketeers set off and meandered along muddy icy lanes until we reached Farndon. At Farndon we turned left & right and crossed the busy Barton road. Following the ascent of Wetreins Lane the mantle of ride leader was passed from myself to Shane, with a new lunch destination of Whixall Marina.

I’m sure since I enjoyed my Christmas Fayre and libations that the climbs to Malpas have been made steeper. Alan and Shane sprinted off up ahead as if being auditioned for the new Ineos squad. The roads around Malpas were particularly treacherous with long sections of slush. However, we were soon away and zooming towards the busy Whitchurch road and then onto Fens Bank.

 I’m always amazed at the time taken from passing the sign advising you are entering Whixall and riding over the canal to the canal-side marina. It must be another fifteen minutes. Hot food, chilli con carne, eggs and lasagne were all washed down with hot tea as we basked in the midday sun at the marina. Special mention must go to the staff and service here, it really is first class.

Replete with hot food we set off home repeating our route to Tilston in the vain hope we would enjoy a tailwind. Of course, as we all know in cycling, a headwind out means a headwind back!

 Shane peeled off in Stretton and Alan and I plodded on to Coddington and ultimately Tattenhall. In Chowley Oak we espied two cyclists who bore a remarkable likeness to Keith and our esteemed secretary Dave H. It was pleasing to see Keith had done six hours voluntary community service accompanying Dave to Bangor on Dee and Overton. Thus, the remaining four easy riders plunged into Tattenhall to the warmth of waiting cars.

 A pleasant route with thanks to Neil T and Shane in temps down to two degrees Celsius covering forty seven winter miles.

Steve Hu 

See route map and/or gpx file download

23rd January 2025: 'Tour de Cafe' (Mod)

Well, I’m calling todays moderates blog 'Tour de Cafe'.

 At the beginning it was me, Ray and Nick from the other mob haha (fast lads), plus D Mathews and Clive also dressed in smart casual attire. I left the first cafe (Rose Farm) and, as discussed earlier, with Ray and Nick went toward Duddon via a road that looked like I had gone to Mars, with a council officer marking the craters as they had gone beyond potholes, plus more mud on the road than in the fields. I then passed the second cafe (Walk Mill) heading towards Waverton; from here I decided to head to  Christleton, then the metropolis  of Guilden Sutton as the weather started to turn from a cold drafty morning to, let’s say wet, then a monsoon so I headed for Meadow Lea cafe  -  my third of the day. 

I decided to have a early lunch waiting for the monsoon to pass . I left after the owner came to me and said all the cycles outside where lying down flat, which they were as a domino effect had happened as the first untethered bike knocked all the others down as nobody had been arsed to lock them due to the rain. I needed to get back to my car which I’d left in Delamere, so I braved the A56 so I could veer off towards Manley Mere but I passed this cafe due to it being closed plus I was having a sulk due to the local flooding after the rain which had made the roads sketchy. 

Anyway, I headed through Mouldsworth heading through Aston Green, my first mis route calculation as I ended on the busy Tarvin bypass heading towards Kelsall, another village growing in size.  Anyway I cracked on through the town heading back towards Delamere on a longish detour back tracking earlier roads I’d been down which where now covered with lakes and mud which the passing vehicles seemed to have great pleasure trying to drown me but they needed to get up earlier than that as I could see the look in their eyes. 'Pay back it’s a cyclist he’s getting it ha.' Anyway I finished cycling through the forest to the last cafe (at Delamere Visitors Centre), my last of an enjoyable solo ride. 5 cafes, 3 used, a belly full of tea, muddy but you know what, happy, as I was out cycling. 35 ish miles .

KB

23rd January 2025 : No Ride - or so we thought…..

The weather forecast was for rain, 5C warmth, and winds strengthening overnight into Storm Eowyn so I decided not to ride today. I had to go Tarporley way for an errand so drove over and went to Rose Farm Cafe on the off-chance that there  might be a few hardy souls there.

And there were! - Nick, Ray S and Keith were supping their hot drinks in cycling gear with Dave M in civvies. Keith decided to ride back to where he had left his car before the rain came through. After Keith  had left, Ray and Nick decided to have another coffee with cake with custard to fuel themselves up for their respective rides homewards.

So well after 1100, Ray and Nick set off, Dave went into the Deli and I drove home via Tarvin. The wind had picked up as had the rain. By the time I hit Chester it was torrential with high winds - so I hope Ray and/or Nick weren't caught out in it.

As I write this around midday, the rain had stopped, the wind had abated, and the sun was trying to come out - standard crazy English weather of course!

CA

January 16th 2025: Mickle Trafford

 Having just taken the precaution of slapping on some last-minute suntan lotion I was now losing more time scraping ice from the car. It was going to be that sort of winter’s day: brilliant sunshine but, once again, cold enough to be caught out by the occasional icy surface. I arrived in the Ness car park at 10.30 and I could see only one bicycle, which turned out to be Clive’s. Before long we were joined by Ivan, Chris, Big Ray, Trevor and Keith. As far as the moderate quartet were concerned, I had two ride suggestions for lunch:  Tanskey’s in West Kirby or Meadow Lea at Mickle Trafford.  Despite Clive trying to be helpful in explaining his favoured route to West Kirby via Eastham, we finished up choosing a route to Meadow Lea.  Funnily enough, Clive’s recommendation of a Wetherspoon’s in West Kirby that had burnt his pizza and forgot to deliver a replacement, but gave him another pint of ale as part recompense, didn’t help tempt us.

Our route out was by way of Neston to Raby and then turning south east towards Willaston,  Capenhurst and Dunkirk. We clocked up a few more miles wandering around the area east of Backford, often on stretches only the locals have call to use. The lane beyond Picton had large road closure signs at either end of nothing going on, which was convenient because we had ignored them. Meadow Lea was busy, but the service was friendly, and we all ordered an excellent full English Breakfast. From this point Trevor was taking Keith on a fifteen-mile jaunt to get some extra miles in as they had both started from here earlydoors, so there was no point for them in returning to Ness.

Ray and myself set off for The Greenway when we crossed paths with Shane. He had been cycling to Ness in the morning, but had picked up a puncture in a flooded section of the cycleway as you depart the industrial estate and enter the Burton marshes pathway. The delay meant that he had abandoned his plan to cycle with the Brisk Group. Shane warned us of this hazard and the thick ice at the end of the ramp immediately preceding it. It was a dazzling day with a brilliant blue sky as we bowled along beyond Blacon. We hailed Ray Stigter on a solo ride in the opposite direction at one point.  We then ran into Chris and Ivan returning from their ride to West Kirby with Clive. They also gave us dire warning of the iced surface of the ramp under the A548. When we arrived at the hazard Ray managed to survive the ice and plough through the water. I had made the mistake of scooting down the last three metres of ice and stood astride my bike holding a metal bollard at the end. I felt that if I tried to start from this position the bike may well slip from under me, and I wouldn’t get properly set to plough through the water that had potholes below. For once this winter, I decided that this was a risk too far, particularly as I am on a list for a hip replacement. I asked Ray at the other side of the flood to carry on to Ness, and I would find a road route back. 

Unfortunately, there is no viable cycle route back to Ness without mixing it with heavy traffic and juggernauts along the A548 and then the A550. I thought about shooting down to Shotwick, but didn’t want to waste time seeing if I could get through on this narrow lane. I remembered riding on the A550 some years ago with Roy, when we were heading for Christmas lunch at Parkgate in gale force winds. Then, vehicle drivers had sounded their horns and even shouted abuse out of windows; now, with traffic thick and fast the same was happening again. Assertive road positioning was not a choice, and cat’s eyes out from the gutter were hazards that I couldn’t afford to slip on or swerve around. I was expecting to be smashed into from behind at any moment. A car coming towards me hooted repeatedly and braked; it was Ray coming to find me. There wasn’t a place to stop, so I gave him a thumbs up and carried on.

I gave a sigh of relief on recognising the Two Mills crossroads, and another one on reaching the lane to Puddington. I later learnt that Ray had managed to turn around somewhere and had continued to try and find me to give me a lift back. His efforts are much appreciated.  The sun was low in the west now, and I had to shade my eyes with a hand to see, as I tootled down to pretty Burton. I have really good prescription tinted glasses, but I am not sure that they would help me spot ice or potholes as well as clear lenses when riding on shaded winter lanes. My heart rate was back to normal as I arrived at Ness. Overall, it was an enjoyable ride in brilliant sunshine and good company. Trevor leading on “my” route had played a blinder in the morning. The planned route ridden by Ray was 32mls., my Detour from Hell took me to 38mls., and Trevor and Keith managed 49.

DH

16th January 2025 : West Kirby (brisk)

A very sunny day was in prospect albeit with a cold start. I arrived first at Ness, then wondered if I was at the right venue, but Dave H then arrived and a further 5 Easy Riders turned out today. Steve T was still recovering from his ice-dancing incident so two groups formed : The Mods with Dave H, Electric Ray, Kevin and Trevor; The Fast Lads with Chris, Ivan and myself.

A month ago the Fast Lads had a novelty ride around Wirral with lunch at the the Spoon's Old Dee Hotel in central West Kirby. Today's route would steal some of that ride and weave other interesting roads into it. It should be sub-tilted the “climb every mountain” ride as we scaled Prenton Hill (253ft) and then Heswall Heights at 315ft via Irby hilltop.

We started off in the opposite direction by going due East via Little Sutton and Overpool to the Rivacre bottom at 43 ft. Climbing out via Eastham Village, we run through the country park to then take my new favourite link aka the old railway cutting alongside Unilever’s industrial site at Port Sunlight. Today we cut Northwest via Bebington and Higher Bebington to Mount Road on Prenton Hill ridgeway.

Diving down to Heswall Island, we take the very popular cycle path along the Fender river to Upton station. A quick left and right finds us in and out of Moreton’s extensive estates thence hitting the Meols seafront. It's a short run down the railwayside cycle path to the Old Dee Hotel. The food comes quickly along with an excellent pint of dark ale. Ivan tells of the time in July 2007 when he was in London on railway business at the time of the appalling London Tube and bus bombings - he was actually in a taxi almost behind the bus that exploded! 

Along Meols front

The way back enables us to enjoy 6 miles of continuous uphill cycling after sliding through the big houses in Croft Drive East in the valley in Caldy - not to be confused with Caldy Valley! Maxing out in Heswall at 315 ft, it’s all down hill though Leighton and Neston back to pass Ness Gardens after 39 miles. 

Ivan and Chris elect to travel back to Chester over the marshes to the Greenway whilst I cycle on through Burton and Puddington and on the A540 towards Chester. I was back indoors by 1515 and my solar array display showed a perfect half circle confirming what we already knew that the sun had been out all day thus producing a few kilowatts of free electricity for me.

So, I was little surprised that there weren't more riders out on a sunny day, but  thanks to Ivan and Chris for their company and patience today as we weaved our way down roads anew to places well known.

See route map and/or gpx file download

CA

9th January 2025: No ride

Winter weather precluded a formal club ride for safety reasons at Holt.

CA 

2nd January 2025: Neston

A baker’s dozen CER members turned out at Meadow Lea on a bright but cold and frosty morning. Ken, Dave M and Shane were only out for coffee and Trevor was leading a foursome of mods. That left six of us (Steves Hu and T, Alan, Roy, Nick and Ray S) to form the ‘mod+’ peleton. The plan was to go to The Courtyard Café at Brimstage, following a route last travelled two years ago. But as we shall see we would not reach that destination.

We’d agreed to take things carefully as conditions weren’t ideal, so our progress was ’steady’ as we headed along Salters Lane and then joined Fox Covert Lane which runs along the back of Chester Zoo from where animal sounds could be heard. Having crossed the Shropshire Union Canal at Wervin, we soon doubled back to cross the busy A41 at Backford and head down Station Road.

A sharp right turn took us on to Demage Lane and the cycleway that runs alongside the railway line. To our relief, it was not icy, the fallen leaves having stopped ice forming. However, at the end of the path there was a large patch of ice causing us to dismount and walk the bikes past. Crossing the A5117 took us onto Dunkirk Lane and past the Urenco works at Capenhurst where Andy B spent several happy years.

Only a little further on disaster struck. Steve Hu, Alan and Roy were running directly ahead of me on a straight stretch of road when I hit a patch of black ice that they must have just successfully ridden over and, in an instant, I was down on the tarmac, bouncing on my shoulder, forearm and hip  - Ouch! It took a few minutes for me to recover and re-mount, but we pressed on.

However, only a short distance past Ledsham Garden Centre, Alan had a puncture. We stopped at the entrance to a large house to fix it, but it took two goes and the use of a ‘boot’ patch over a cut in the outer before we could carry on. Whilst the repair was underway we discussed curtailing the ride as time was passing by and I was feeling sore. Ness Gardens Café was an obvious possibility, but they weren’t answering the phone. Ray suggested the Blue Bicycle in Neston and a phone call secured a table for six at about 12.30.

Having crossed the A550, we wound our way into Willaston and picked up Hadlow Road which took us over the A540 and onto Dunstan Lane. This lead us down into Burton and thence past Ness Gardens and into Neston and the Blue Bicycle café. The table in the upstairs room was soon filled with ‘Breakfast Burger’, ‘Baked Jacket Potato’ and other delights along with pots of tea and a bag of ice cubes for Steve T to put on his sore shoulder. The Blue Bicycle certainly delivered and is worthy of another visit.

It was soon time to leave and the route home took us to Little Neston and down onto the boardwalk across the marshes.  The first part of the path was caked in sheep droppings and other agricultural muck, so any thoughts of getting home with a clean bike were dashed – especially for Alan. The path was also flooded in several places, but all was traversed without problems.  Steve Hu and Alan left us where the ‘blue bridge’ crosses the Welsh Road, leaving Steve T, Roy, Ray and Nick to press on. Ray headed for home as we passed Chester so it was a threesome who finally arrive back at Meadow Lea, where Dave H and Ray B had just arrived back from the ride that Trevor has reported on below.

Only about 34 miles covered on an incident filled journey. Note that the gpx file attached came from Steve Hu’s Wahoo and he started his ride from the ‘blue bridge’. Thanks to all for their company and support.

ST

See route map and'or gpx file download 

2nd January 2025: Holt

 Being the first Easy Riders ride of the year, I thought there would be a large turnout at Meadow Lea but there weren't as many as I expected. Maybe it was the sudden cold weather. There was still frost and ice on the ground when I left the house. Or maybe it was because others had not eaten as much turkey and Christmas pudding as I had and didn't feel the need for exercise. As it was there were only 4 takers for the mod ride – Dave H, Keith, Ray B and myself.

 Although the temperature was edging above freezing we still needed a route which would avoid icy lanes, at least in the early part of the day. Dave called on my local local knowledge and I came up with a route that would take us down to Holt where we would have a choice of cafes for lunch. And so we set off south to Guilden Sutton but instead of heading to the A51 and Waverton we turned right towards the A41 and Chester. Just before reaching the town centre we turned down Dee Lane and followed the river, past the Groves, round the Roodee and out to the Ferry Lane bridge.

 After crossing the bridge, we turned left and then right onto the Broughton road, keeping to the cycle path to avoid the busy traffic. We soon turned off it and cycled through Bretton, on towards Kinnerton before turning south towards Rossett. We were now on country lanes but only small pockets of frost and ice remained and the road were quite good. The only thing we had to contend with was the low winter sun in our eyes. From Rossett we were on the long, straight B5102 with only a few bends to relieve the monotony. However, it didn't seem too long before we reached Holt.

 In Holt we found both cafes open. I opted to try the former Cleopatra's which has recently reopened (after 2 failed attempts) this time under the name of Cleopatra's II. Dave thought we should have gone to Maggie's to show loyalty to the cafe which has served us well while Cleopatra's has been closed and maybe we will next time.

 We discussed the route back. Dave and Ray wanted to take the shortest way back but Keith and I wanted to get some extra miles in while sun was out. The compromise was to head back via Aldford and Saighton. From there Dave knew his way back and took Ray with him while Keith and I turned right just after the railway bridge and headed over towards Waverton church. From here we followed the road alongside the canal as far as Hargrave where we turned left to return to Waverton via Martins Lane. Only a few miles now and across the A41 to reach Meadow Lea. 37 miles on a sunny winter's day and we had managed to avoid the worst of the frosty and icy roads.   

TC     

See route map and/or gpx file download          

1st January 2025 : Annual Statistics 2024

A New Year begins with the closing off of the Old Year of club cycling with the traditional annual statistics blog. 

But before that, we should all commend Dave H and Keith on their Boxing Day ride - whether it was to ride off that extra piece of Christmas pudding or to get out of the washing up and family "discussions', it is to be commended. Trevor and Dave M rode out and back to Delamere giving moral support whilst the rest of us were otherwise occupied.

Year	Mileage	Blogs	Av Miles/Ride
2008	1,137	24	47
2009	2,894	53	55
2010	2,640	53	50
2011	3,495	61	57
2012	3,615	76	48
2013	3,025	57	53
2014	3,708	72	52
2015	4,216	81	52
2016	4,325	83	52
2017	3,832	74	52
2018	4,472	89	50
2019	3,947	84	47
2020	2,030	47	43
2021	3,600	77	47
2022	4,357	93	47
2023	3,054	72	42
2024	3,803	96	40
Totals	58,150	1,192	49
Annual Avg	3,172	63	51

A good year's cycling with some new faces and ride leaders. The most prolific blog writer was Dave H with Steve Hu and Steve T collectively not far behind.

Overall though the total mileage and average ride length is showing signs of the effect on the legs of that extra year each year i.e. we are all getting older!

So on your behalf, I should like to thank Dave H for his unstinting support and commitment to CER - it wouldn't be the club it is without his guidance. Despite "modern" inventions like the Garmin etc, Dave doggedly eschews such fleeting and sometimes flaky technology for the tried and tested well-used OS map - just as our President and Founder Bryan Wade would do. Let's hope Father Christmas brought Dave a new set of 1:50000 OS waterproof maps and maybe a new bike......

CA