Welcome

Retired, work part-time or shifts, enjoy being out in the countryside? Then cycle the lanes and byways of Cheshire and surrounding areas with Chester Easy Riders: you won't get left behind.
Chester Easy Riders is an independent cycling club affiliated to Cycling UK. We cycle every Thursday throughout the year with moderate and brisk day rides of 40 to 80 miles.

For more information see the About Us tab.

Thursday, 17 July 2025

17th July 2025: Wrenbury (mod)

 It was drizzling as Dave and I drove up to Rose Farm. Not a good omen perhaps, but as we’ll see the weather turned out to be reasonably OK in the end. As is often the case coming out is the right decision.

The crowd of Easy Riders eventually sorted themselves out into the Mod and Mod+/Brisk groups. I had in mind a route down to the café in Wrenbury and although Dave had another route he quickly agreed to this. The mod group for the day consisted of Dave H, George, Big Ray, Keith, ‘Electric’ John M, Trevor and yours truly – seven bodies in all.

The ‘Magnificent Seven’ set off at a ‘stately’ pace down the road from Rose Farm heading out down the usual route past Oulton Park and on to Wettenhall.  Approaching Venetian Marina we came to the spot where, on an icy day one November, I came off the bike due to the sharp camber in the road. I still have the evidence of the mishap on my right hip!

 Not long after, we turned down a little-used lane to Henhull Bridge on the Shropshire Union Canal, rode a few yards on the main road, and rang the cafe to ensure that we could be accommodated. 

Ravens Lane took us down to Ravensmoor where we joined the road to Wrenbury and we soon arrived, slightly damp, at the café with 18 miles on the clock. This used to be called No.18, The Park, but that establishment moved some time ago to be melded with The Bhurtpore pub at Aston. The café in Wrenbury is now called ‘Berries’ and the staff there were most welcoming. We were soon supplied with drinks and various sandwiches, toasted and regular. George wanted to order a sausage sandwich, but first had to establish the nature of the sausage. Was a Frankfurter (as in a hot dog) or a ‘proper’ one. Having established the provenance the sausage sandwich was ordered. We were favourably impressed with ‘Berries’ and would happily go there again.

The sun had come out, briefly, whilst we were having lunch, but had disappeared by the time we came out of the café to head back. But at least it wasn’t raining and it felt quite warm.

Our route back was direct, taking is via Chorley Bank and Brindley to Bunbury. Dave H resisted the urge to stop at Tilley’s and we pressed on to Beeston Castle and the swoop down to the Shropshire Union canal and ‘The Shady’ (no ‘Oak’) pub. As we all know, this is followed by the long drag up to Huxley Lane where Trevor turned left for home and the rest of us turned right for Tarporley.

Tarporley High Street was the usual nightmare with huge SUVs inching past each other, the drivers having no idea about how wide their Chelsea Tractors were. Free of the congestion, there ‘just’ remained the climb back up Utkinton Road to Rose Farm, where we arrived, breathless with another 18 miles covered.

So, a total of 36 miles at an average speed of just over 11 mph.  A pleasant day out in the Cheshire countryside in fine company is what you need to lift your spirits, so thanks to all involved.

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download 

No comments:

Post a Comment