What a gorgeous day for our Walk Mill meet.
There was a real sense of Spring and Summer on it’s way. Surprisingly, that didn’t encourage a massive turn out, for what ever reason. There was a dozen or so of us. The head count was tricky, as there was a split, with the majority deciding to sit inside, despite the stunning sunshine and a barmy 13 degrees outside. That aside, the groups still managed to form, all be it small ones. DH possibly had the majority, which included, none other than ‘three times in a row’- George!- Lol. The fast group was at least three or four, which included the deserter, Chris, who was clearly confident of keeping up, no doubt due to his recent ascent of Hill Lane (Helsby) This was as a consequence of me pointing it out on last weeks ride. So, he had clearly decided he was too good for the Mod + group anymore - Lol.
That
left just Fiona and Elwyn for my group.
Steve
Hu had chosen to stay at home and watch paint dry apparently and the ‘Rayban
Mugger’ (Alan, for those who might not of read last weeks blog) had a stomach
issue or at least that’s what his last minute text said, but we all know he can’t
ride without his pal, Steve- Lol.
We set off on one of my local small hill meanders involving the Sandstone Ridge. 10 minutes gone and we are in DM’s patch, settling in to a steady pace toward Chapel Hill, not that I intended climbing it.
However, before we could even reach it, we caught a young mountain biker. As I pulled along side, I remarked about how laden his bike was and asked where was he heading. Well, the next few minutes was about his journey on LEJOG. He was a young German, on a gap year and spoke excellent English. He was not only on his lonesome, completely unsupported, but camping at the road side, unless he got offered a bed for the night. He told us of an App that offers a free bed to LEJOG riders, if you can be in the right place at the right time of course (who knew) He was a very pleasant young man, who we all wished the best of luck and left him in Kelsall.
Now climbing up Quarry Lane, although not before the obligatory costume change, from Fiona this time. Half way up, Elwyn remarked about the hill, thinking he had never climbed it before, but then Elwyn never knows where he is- Lol. We swing right at the top and almost immediately right again at the Farmers Arms and continue our climb up onto the top of the Sandstone Ridge. We pass Chapel Hill, which was closed, but it is rideable, as I rode it last week ( nobody is working it, as usual, I wonder how long that will be).
We start to feel a bit of headwind, now on top of the ridge line. However, I let F&E know that we were not far from my favourite high speed downhill, which took the edge off the light headwind. I attack the downhill, as was my plan for the day ( no work on the uphill bits, but max effort going down, due to a still iffy hamstring. Once regrouped, we get back into a steady pace and meander our way through Eaton, Tarporley, Brassy Green, Beeston, via the ‘Shady’ pub and skirt around Tattenhall via Harthill, but the easy way- Lol. We then descended into Brown Knowl for yet another short climb and subsequent downhill blast. We make a right turn to allow us to get across to cross the A41 towards Tilston, where I tried to encourage Fiona to step on the pedals and follow me downhill ( one day she’ll let those brakes off- Lol)
Once in Tilston, it was time to discuss our options for lunch, either Carden Arms, Manorwood cafe, Lost Barn, which are all within half mile or so. Or push on another 3 miles to Lewis’s cafe in Farndon. As Lewis’s is a favourite of F&E, there wasn’t much discussion- Lol. This meant that poor old me had to ride back on our route, into the wind, to get home, because I knew the road to Bruera was closed for 4 days. F&E had fallen foul of the road closure on their way to Walk Mill, when an awkward labourer turned them back ( I never let them know about the closure, as they were supposed to get to Walk Mill via the Chester option, which is shorter for them, but alas they didn’t - Lol) That said, did they care that I would have to back track into the wind-? not a bit - Lol, Lol.
So,
after another cracking ‘full gaz’ dash, down Wetreins
Lane, we naturally regroup near the end of the lane, after I caught a woman who
was on her first ride for months (forgotten why it was her first, but left her
as she turned left to Shocklach and we went right, of course)
Lewis’s was quiet, so we got served instantly, once we found somebody who could cook a poached egg (- Lol, the staff had to discuss their capabilities). F&E had their usual scrambled version, which did look good. Conversation seemed to revolve solely around my buggered shoulder and the ridiculous pain I was having every time I lifted my arm from the table. Thankfully the most comfortable place for me is on the bike, so I was keen to get going again and face the uphill headwind of Wetreins Lane - Lol. While F&E had the much easier fast tailwind dash of Rossett Road all the way to their door in Lavister.
I had 9 miles to get home and all up, as I decided to go through Stretton, Carden Park and Tattenhall of course. I got home with 48 miles on the clock and just over 2000’ of assent, which was less than expected - Lol. I think F&E just tipped over the 50 miles.
What
a cracking day out, in lovely sunshine, a tad warmer than expected, with light
winds, which meant we were all a bit over dressed. It was no less a day,
despite not having the Chuckle Brothers with us, sat on the back of the group,
verbally abusing everybody’s ears- Lol, the silence was bliss- Lol, Lol, Lol.
Cheers
guys,
Till
next time,
The
Wind Whisperer.
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