13th February 2025 : Bunbury (mod+)

Well a hardy seven Easy Riders were easily outnumbered three-to-one by walkers at the cafe today. All parking spaces were taken and most of the indoor seating as well. However a table came free allowing Dave H, Dave M, Trevor, Ray, Clive, Alan and Steve Hu an opportunity to warm up. 

Dave M was in civvies as the required temperature of plus two degrees Celsius had not been achieved, plus he had been out on Wednesday. Trevor took the opportunity to discharge some of his community service hours and accompany Dave H as a small mod duo. Clive had a ride but it was a tad long so we went with a ride developed by Neil (fair weather rider) T to Tilleys. 

We were all ready to set off when Clive realised a pair of gloves he had arrived with had disappeared. Initially blaming the walking group, the blame quickly turned on Dave H. Whilst his initial pleas of “I've only got one of them” may work in the Frodsham branch of Clarks shoe shop, it didn’t persuade Clive. On searching the mighty Berlingo, a second errant glove was discovered. 

So replete with all PPE, we set off towards Hatchmere and took a right. The original route takes in the Whitegate Way, but since it has been muddy and Ray had just cleaned his steed from head to toe, we followed Clive’s diversion through Cuddington and towards Sandiway. Clive was setting a blistering pace only matched by super domestique Ray, whilst Alan and I grovelled in their wake. A rare navigation error at Sandy Lane by Steve firmly re-asserted Clive as ride leader as he safely routed us through Clay Lane and into Little Budworth. 

From now on the Cheshire lanes hummed under our wheels at a modest 14.5mph however it felt quicker  possibly due to the one degree headwind (hence no Neil T) all the way to Bunbury. Tilley’s provided an excellent fayre as usual, with Ray eating his body weight in baked beans whilst mushrooms, chips and sausages made up for the rest of us.

At Beeston Castle's gatehouse

A quick diversion to Peckforton allowed us to turn North and whiz through Beeston (photo opportunity) and then on towards Tarporley. Ray left us at this time with Clive peeling off just after Eaton. The last two miles to Delamere seemed hard despite the low average of 14.2 mph and 1800 ft of climbing the route felt tough today. 

Thanks to Clive & Ray for navigation. 

See route map and/or gpx file download

S Hu

Photo SHu