14th August 2025: Loppington (mod)

 There was an encouraging turnout at Castle Bistro considering that it was the height of the holiday season. Steve Tan was unavailable, and Big Ray was bursting the buttons off his shorts on another over-fed cruise. I knew Clive was going to turn up because I met his charming wife and himself in WH Smiths in Chester on Wednesday; he was looking for an electric bike magazine!

Keith arrived with me in the old banger Berlingo. It was good to have Mold Andy and Dave Pipe back on board for the moderate ride. Dave Matthews had made the considerable effort to turn up but was riding home. Dave Pipe had forgotten his wallet; as someone noted for leaving things by mistake, my empathy stretched to lending him some dosh and waiving my normal payday loan rate of 1,500%.

We set off on familiar lanes to Hindford passing the long-closed, canalside and characterful Jack Mitton Inn which some of remember visiting over ten years ago. The well-surfaced rural lane south from Welsh Frankton is always a delightful downhill cruise. The extremely steep bridge crossing the canal has to be attacked at speed, or you risk coming to a halt just before the top and falling on your nut. It’s a fast, easy run to Bagley Marsh and all very enjoyable, although the huge, unmarked grey shed we pass en route gives me a shudder at the thought of the mass slaughter and butchery of animals inside. I intended to clock a few more miles by reaching down to Stanwardine in the Fields before heading north-east to Cockshutt. A “Road Closed” sign, and Andy coping with penicillin and a frayed gear cable deterred me, so we turned left, passing the moated Stanwardine Hall on our way to Cockshutt and across to Loppington.

Lunch was excellent at The Dickin Arms, as ever. There was a great deal of reminiscing over past rides and personalities over lunch as some of us could go back over sixteen years with the club. We should be more assertive and order food before drinks when we arrive though, as we were there for ever. Dave Pipe had swigged down a couple of pints before we were ready to go. When I got to the till, Dave had spent his loan and required a further sub to pay his bill. It crossed my mind that Dave would probably forget that he had borrowed money by Friday, and I decided I wouldn’t be asking for it: I hadn’t acquired a copy of the bill anyway. The true gentleman that he is, he rang me and transferred the correct money into my account the next day. Oh! Me of little faith!

Our way back was by way of Kenwick Park and up a lane never used by us before, crossing Tetchill Moor to Tetchill village. The grass centred lane was eerily empty with just the odd farmhouse. Much as I love the countryside the thought of living a life along this isolated lane spooked me. At Tetchill I was able to confirm our location was correct with a local resident, nevertheless, it is obviously very easy to miss the turn to Onston, because we did. We decided to cut our losses and follow our outward route from Horley. Rain suddenly battered down somewhere north west of Welsh Frankton. We huddled under big trees, but the prospect of the downpour passing seemed remote for a while. Keith and I had a laugh watching Andy assisting Dave with his ancient but totally waterproof yellow cape. The cape may have been waterproof, but the back was a bit tangled, so torrential rain was being funnelled down Dave’s bum!  The rain eventually eased and we were quite warm before long, even those who hadn’t bothered bringing a waterproof. Andy had coped amazingly well without any low gears all day and Dave said that he had enjoyed the ride, but unfortunately, I hadn’t time for a coffee at Castle Bistro where other club members had also returned. Keith had kindly agreed to drive my wife’s car home for me if we could get to a specialist garage I use near Malpas before it closed. A rapid cross- country drive from Chirk meant we were just able to make it, and after I paid a king’s ransom of a bill, get both cars back to Runcorn without Keith ramming me from behind. At least we were able to relax on a bench in the sun at Peacock Farm waiting for the garage owner to return, watching horses being groomed and reflecting on another successful CER outing.   Thanks to the guys for their company and support.

DH