20th March 2025: Aston (mod)

 It was good to see Peter sitting in the sunshine at Walk Mill. Ivan was dressed to cycle, as if his near- death drama in Spain had been just a passing bad dream. Everyone so pleased to see him. The Steady Eddies this week were George, Keith, Mike Dodd and me.

Pete thought that “The Bhurty” at Aston was too far at this early stage of his renewed rehabilitation, but it was great to have him riding with us through Burton as far as Huxley. The A49 was met at Tiverton, where we whistled down to the Shropshire Union Canal and the railway bridge before slogging up to Bunbury Common. A ferret around attractive Bunbury village was by way of the quiet Bird’s and Wyche lanes. At Haughton we kept left for a change and headed for Burland and after a brief stretch of the A534 were soon back on narrow, peaceful lanes.  The weather was sunny and warm as we headed south to Sound Heath via Ravensmoor.  The Farmer’s Arms at Ravensmoor used to be one of our watering holes and a favourite of the popular Mike Morley. Covid broke the spell, but perhaps we will call again. The Bhurty was busy but still we had plenty of room and we were served by lovely people. It was nice to chat to Mike again, and he mentioned how moved he had been by the National Theatre’s production of Dear England based around Gareth Southgate. The production will have a four-week run at the Lowry in Salford from May 29^th to June 29^th.  Conversation is always relaxed and easy in this group, and civilized in volume without Big Ray. We wish him well with his tooth implant.

Readying our bikes for our return Keith was lampooning my inclination to leave things at a lunch stop (e.g.car keys, Malpas; mobile, Ellesmere) so much so that I couldn’t think straight. Time was wasted as I was pounded into a world of anxiety, checking things I had already checked. The only thing I had actually forgotten was to have a wee! So, that was another four minutes gone. It was a good job that the sun was still shining. Talking about fluids, it was wonderfully warm all day and important to keep hydrated. I noticed George ordered a pint of tap water at lunch, and I should have replenished my bottle.

Our way home had three little intended diversions.  We first took the pleasant back route to Wrenbury via Pinsley Green Road. The second possible diversion would have been a small semi-circle passing Frith Farm, but I thought it better to just “crack on” to Brindley by way of Chorlton Bank. As we approached Pear Tree Farm just before Haughton I was intending a third exploratory diversion down the quiet, narrow lane to Bath House Farm. Unfortunately, Keith had wandered off far ahead, drifting around and out of touch like Harry Kane on a bad day (although Harry always has a chance of scoring, while Keith……). Mike kindly chased him down, and he returned as contrite as a fired-up Jude Bellingham disagreeing with the ref. So it was that we, eventually, passed The Salt House near Spurstow Lower Hall. Further investigation after the ride states that the  spa spring indicated on my OS map was believed to contain rare salts with healing powers, and baths were erected here by Sir Thomas Mostyn many moons ago. My continued diversion was intended to be to Radley Wood and across the A49 to Peckforton, but we decided on coffee  and cake at Tilly’s instead. Some of you may remember, some time ago, that the tiny lanes I had planned to ride were so heavily flooded that two local women applauded us for riding through. Neil was with us at the time and couldn’t understand the perversity of not using the obvious and dry route to Spurstow; I think we understand each other’s idiosyncrasies better now. It was a pleasant surprise to meet Dave Matthews and Andy Whitgreave at Tilly’s on their way to completing a Cheshire Cycleway Ride. Dave currently features in the national audax magazine describing his impressive recent Walney Island to Whitby ride. From Tilly’s we rode to Beeston Castle and then down past the Ice Cream Farm before reaching Greenlooms through Hargrave. A slight breeze  had been behind us since lunch so it was very pleasant  late afternoon finish and still warm and sunny as Keith and Mike took their leave. George and I returned to our cars at Walk Mill. 43 miles for the actual route; more for Keith and Mike. A perfect cycling day.

DH