18th September 2025: Cefn-y-Bedd

 I was a bit late arriving at Meadow Lea, even though (or because) I live closer to the venue than anyone else. I had rushed off at 5 to 10 and got halfway to Meadow Lea before I realised that I'd left home without my helmet and had to go back for it. So, I ended up sitting with some of the mod+ guys and discovered that they are really nice people when you get to know them. The rumour coming from the other mods across the room was that Ray was going to lead a ride up onto The Wirral. However just as we were all getting up to leave the other mods came over and asked if I had a ride. Ray seemed particularly keen to offload the leading duties, a decision he was to come to regret.

 So it was that I ended up leading a ride that I had downloaded from the blog which we had done back in October 2015. There were six of us riding. Five if you count bikes as Dave & Liz had turned up on the tandem. They joined Andy W, Jim, Ray and me as we headed into Guilden Sutton and then out along School Lane and Hoole Lane towards town. A seventh member, David M would have joined us, but a last minute request from a family member for a lift meant he left us to take up taxi duties.

 After dropping down to the River Dee we crossed into Handbridge and headed for Eccleston, Kinnerton and Hope. Crossing the Alyn valley, we continued upwards round the flank of Hope Mountain and onto the Corwen road at Treuddyn. With most of the climbing done (and a lot of moaning from Ray as a result) we sped down the Cegidog valley. At Ffrith we turned up towards Cymau. A short climb here but for Ray it was the 'straw that broke the camel's back' as he succumbed to walking up the final section, pushing his bike. Once we had regrouped at the top it was downhill to the Mold road followed by a short dash on the level to reach our lunch destination, the Holly Bush at Cefn-y-Bedd.

 I'd been telling Jim that I thought it was him that had planned the route originally, but he didn't think it was. So before setting out to write this up I checked and sure enough it was. In his write up he wrote 'The meals were well priced and a good choice: will definitely go there again'. Well it has taken us 10 years to get there again. Prices have obviously gone up since then but there was still a good choice so we 'will definitely go there again', probably in 10 years’ time.

After lunch we cycled up to Llay then down through the houses to cross the A483. Here we took Springfield Road, a delightful ride through woods, spoilt only by the noise from the traffic on the nearby dual-carriageway. At the T-junction Dave & Liz left us and the rest of us turned up Marford Hill. This produced another groan from Ray. So ,when we turned into Hoseley Lane I abandoned the continuing climb up Hoseley Bank and opted instead to turn down Cox Lane and cross over to the Rossett road which was flat. This took us into Holt then onto familiar roads through Farndon and Aldford. After Bruera we had one last climb up to Saighton (definitely the last one, Ray, you can do it). At the top we passed Abbey Gate College, a private school, just as the kids were coming out. Well, you've never seen so much expensive hardware in one place and queuing up the road. Porsches, BMW's, Range Rovers, even a Rolls Royce. When I was young I had to walk to school, as did everyone else. 

Andy left us at Saighton and the three of us continued to Waverton and Christleton. In Guilden Sutton Jim and I left Ray to ride the last mile to Meadow Lea on his own so he was the only one to complete the full 44 miles. Well done him. I expect him to come next week with a plan for a completely flat ride.

TC

See route map and/or gpx file download

18th September 2025: Tattenhall

 Once again, the weather forecast was none too promising and, indeed, it had rained a bit in Runcorn as I loaded my bike on to the carrier. Dave H was not able to come today as he had an appointment for yet another injection in his eye.

Arriving at the Meadow Lea café, I was clear that it hadn’t rained there. There was a throng of CER members in the café as well groups of cyclists from other clubs. I think the yummy mummies were overwhelmed with folk in Lycra! Steve Hughes is just recovering from a dose of Covid, so wasn’t looking for a fast ride. Clive was only out until lunchtime, as he had a hospital appointment later in the day. John M is still feeling his way after being prescribed medication to control his runaway heart rate when he climbs hills. And Elwyn and Fiona ‘just wanted a steady ride’. As I had loaded a circular  ride first devised by Neil, I offered to lead a mod+ ride provided that it would at be my pace and not the mod++ pace which some rides have gone at recently.

The six of us set off along the A56, but we jumped off heading for Little Barrow. Turning left after the railway, we were soon crossing the A54 and in to Oscroft. As we got to the end of Cross Lanes, who should we see but Dave Matthews, on his way back home from Meadow Lea!  Across the Tarvin By-Pass and on to very pleasant lanes. The weather had picked up with a warm wind and occasional bursts of sunshine coming through

Wiggling down the lanes took us through Huxley and on to Bates Mill Lane, the scene of my puncture, two weeks ago. Zooming past The Shady pub and over the canal took us up the steady climb to Beeston Castle. Turning right at the junction we then followed the familiar route towards Tattenhall. By now the wind was gusting quite strongly and Clive kindly went on front to shield me from the worst of it.

As we reached Tattenhall, Clive peeled off heading for home and his hospital appointment. Then there were five…

Alison’s was quite busy, but we were able to get a table outside and order food and drink. The combo of tomato and basil soup + a ham and chutney sandwich was popular, but Fiona and Elwyn went up-market with avocado, egg and sourdough bread. Talk around the table ranged from high end dining to holiday plans.

Replete, we went back to the bikes to continue the ride. But John M had decided that he would go home by a direct route to prepare for the delivery tomorrow of his new Volvo. Then there were four!  

Exiting Tattenhall via Rocky Lane were were soon across the A41 and turned right at Crowley Oak, heading for Coddington. Having failed to take a team photo with all six of us, we decided to stop by the old school and pose to a selfie taken by Elwyn.

Crossing the A534, we went into Carden Park, a clear sign that this route was devised by Neil. Exiting via the triumphal arch, we pressed on to Stretton, passing Shane’s place and heading for Crewe-by-Farndon along Wetreins Lane.

Crossing the A534 (again), Fiona and Elwyn headed for Holt and home, whilst Steve Hughes and I pressed on for Churton and Saighton. This is where Steve took his leave, heading towards Chester and the River Dee, which he intended to follow, rather than using the Greenway which was blocked today.

That left me as ‘Billy No Mates’ to plug on through Waverton and Brown Knoll, arriving back at the Meadow Lea café at 2.40 pm with 40 miles and 14.1 mph on the clock. An excellent day out in first class company on yet another occasion when the weather was nothing like that forecast b the Met Office. Do they really know that they’re doing?

ST

See route map and/or gpx file download

11th September 2025: Malpas (Remnants!)

 As you can see from Steve’s account the moderate ride could have aptly been re-named “The Remnants’ Ride”. I was very happy to undertake a shorter ride with Dave and Liz. I would have great company and less chance of a long stint in wet clothes. For the second Thursday in a row any sensible cyclist, and Neil, would have stayed at home with heavy rain forecast.

I quickly re-jigged my original plans by substituting Malpas for Whixall. Jim and Big Ray came with us through Farndon as far as Crewe-by-Farndon where they headed for Wetreins. We carried on to Shocklach circling west of Malpas and turning through Threapwood toward Oldcastle Heath via Dog Lane. Not for the first time we met horse riders on this stretch and care was taken and pleasantries exchanged, although this didn’t prevent one horse at the back rearing high into the air like the Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver. A bit close for comfort: a bike helmet would be little protection if a load of steaming horse the weight of a Citroen AX landed on your head. We turned left up Sunnyside before the inevitable climb to the centre of Malpas. We agreed to eat at The Little Deli where Dave and Liz used to eat and were friendly with the previous owner. Liz and Dave had just returned from Switzerland and were looking in fine fettle. Dave was the colour of my old brown boots. Being grandparents and travelling seems to be agreeing with them. The friendly staff tailored the dishes to suit the healthy veggie Pipes, and my omelette was very tasty.

I thought about showing Dave my relatively new route out of Malpas, but by the time He had got his act together Liz had walked 100 yards up the High Street so we turned up Chester Road, passing the high school before going down to Ebnal and left at Mates Lane. I received a phone call. It started to rain. My beloved Harry, our family’s life-affirming dog had had had to be euthanized. As I rode on tears mingled with the drizzle wet on my face. Dave was having a trouble sorting out the back of his vintage yellow oilskin cape. Liz mentioned that rain ran down the back of the cape and wet her legs! The rain ceased almost as soon as we set off again from under the trees, and Dave’s cape was only of use as a spinnaker now. From Kidnal we cycled through Tilston, turning left before Stretton Hall and intent on beating the rain. A little shower began as we placed our bikes in the cars, before driving close to The Green at Holt and entering Maggie’s where we had a final cake and coffee before Steve and Alan soon joined us having covered double our mileage. None of us had really got wet, and it had been an enjoyable day. Unfortunately, I would remember the day for a so sad reason and would never again be greeted on my return home by a happy wagging tail and a lick on my knee from a very special dog.

DH

Harry  -  R.I.P

11th September 2025: Whixall Marina (mod+)

On a day when wind and rain were predicted, a small group of CER members gathered at Maggie’s in Holt. Dave M was adamant that he was going home after coffee to avoid the coming deluge. Jim and Ray B were planning a short ride before returning home and Nick was riding back to Tilston to meet up with his son.

That left Alan, Ray S, Dave H and yours truly. Both Dave and I had a route down to Whixall Marina; I was keen to ride at faster pace than ‘mod’, but that wouldn’t suit Dave, so a slower pace seemed to be likely. Just before 10.30, Dave and Liz Pipe turned up on the tandem and Dave quickly agreed to ride with them, destination unknown.

That resolved the dilemma about a faster ride, so Alan, Ray S and I set off for Whixall in bright sunshine, but into a blustery headwind (or ‘cross headwind’ as the Wind Whisperer would have it). Nick came along with us as far as Tilston as we carried on through Chorlton, past Newton Hall and in to Lower Wych. The climb up from Wych Brook was a challenge, but was managed without any problems.

Up to this point, although there were some big dark clouds around, we had avoided any rain.  When it arrived, it was enough to for us to put on our rain jackets, but certainly not the deluge that Dave M had predicted. Crossing the A525 at Eglwys Cross and the A495 as we approached Fenn’s Bank, we saw the signpost for Whixall – 4 miles. But we knew from the last time we’d done this route that the marina was still at least 5 miles away.

Arriving at the marina, the rain had stopped and we left the bikes under the cover of the outdoor seating area. The café itself was full of ‘senior citizens’ and had stopped serving breakfasts at 12.00. So bacon and egg or sausage and egg sandwiches were the order of the day. These were very nice except that Ray’s egg was overcooked and so he had them do another one for him.

After the traditional group photo had been taken, we donned our rain jackets, more to keep warm than anything else as the sky was now cloudy and threatening rain. The first three miles back to Northwood were directly into the wind before we turned north towards Bettisfield, where we picked up the cross tailwind which blew us up to Bettisfield and Hanmer. Here we crossed the A539 and shortly after the A525.

By now the sun had returned, so off came the rain jackets. In several places along the route, the roads were very wet and it was obvious that there had been a local downpour, but, riding our luck we had avoided them all.  Zooming along through Threapwood and Shocklach we soon arrived in Farndon, where Ray headed home for Chester and Alan and I returned to Holt and the café.

When we got there at 2.20, Dave H, Liz and Dave P were already there enjoying a cup of coffee, having returned from their ‘marathon’ ride to Malpas.  

Just under 40 miles covered at an average speed of 13.7 mph and a modest 1400 feet climbed. The last time I did this ride with the mod+ group, my average speed was 14.4 mph, so I still have some fitness to gain; but I’m happy with progress so far.

Thanks to Alan and Ray for their company and support and to Dave H for his understanding.

ST

See route maps and/or gpx file download

4th September 2025: Aston

Seven members gathered at Rose Farm café on a day which was predicted to be wet or even very wet.  As usual, Dave M was only there for coffee, so that left Dave H, Ray B, Mike G, Clive, Ray S (good to see you, Ray!) and myself as riders. After some discussion it was agreed to run just one ride – a sort of ‘mod’ and ‘brisk’ group, but would it work? Too fast for some and too slow for others?

Just as we were donning wet weather gear and helmets (it was raining a bit already), young Chris turned up, which broadened the already wide range of abilities within the group. Nevertheless, we set out on a ride I’d done a few years ago to Aston and The Bhurty (as it’s now called).

So we set off at a good pace down Utkinton Lane to Cotebrook, round Oulton Park and on to Wettenhall and Cholmondeston. Passing the Venetian Marina, I heard a call to knock the pace back a little, so took it easy around Reaseheath College and in to the outskirts of Nantwich.

Heading out to Ravensmoor, we took the direct route to Wrenbury and the newly surface and now very smooth lane past the railway station to Aston and ‘The Bhurty’. Or at least some of us did! Clive had mentioned a preference for ‘Berries’ café in Wrenbury and when he, Ray S and Chris didn’t show up in Aston, I guessed that he’d taken the ‘briskers’ there. At least they’d get a fast ride back to Chester.

The Bhurty was unusually empty, but the food was spot-on, my sea bass risotto was particularly mouth-watering. Despite the grim rain forecast we had escaped a soaking so far, but it began to lash down outside as we finished our meal.  Almost miraculously, the rain stopped as we stepped outside for our return. Our route back was a familiar one via Wrenbury, Chorley Bank and Brindley. It soon became obvious that an enforced lack of sleep and clapped -out hip was going to mean that I wouldn’t be able to match our morning average of 13.9 m.p.h.  We navigated some flooding without difficulty as we headed for Brindley with the interesting loop to Bath House Farm, which I have mentioned before as the historic site of a spa. Tilly’s and the café at Beeston Castle were very tempting to Mike, as well as myself, I guess, but Steve pressed on. The very sharp climb over the canal by The Shady always presents a challenge; it is a risk to run at it in a highish gear because of the preceding blind bend inhibiting your downhill momentum. Approach this bridge in a low gear at reduced speed and with your Vingegaard minus legs propelling nearly five stone more than Jonas you may fail. I mean, I know it is a very short climb, but how would Jonas fancy it with a ten year-old boy on his crossbar? Anyway, with all the determination of a wet lettuce, Big Ray registered a refusal. On reaching Huxley Lane Steve discovered that he had a thorn puncture. Mike and Steve sorted it with minor late assistance from me, with Ray resting like a beached whale on the opposite grass bank. To be fair, “too many cooks, etc…”!  And who would welcome Ray looming loudly into their kitchen to help them out? 

Ray’s cruising holiday, associated guzzling and lack of recent stage race exposure had temporarily set back his impressive post- electric fitness gains. Ray and me went ahead, as Steve and Mike apparently cocked up the final tyre seating and inflation, so didn’t catch us up before Rose Farm after all. As always, it’s a tough haul from Bate’s Mill Bridge to Utkinton, but we had enjoyed a fair bit of sunshine on our return, and for a day that had looked a potential write-off for leisure cycling, it had been well worth the effort. Many thanks to Steve for leading and the usual relaxing friendship from the troops. About thirty-nine miles covered. P.S. Steve did “a Dave Pipe” losing his wallet in Rose Farm car park but retrieved it eventually. Perhaps fortunately, also like Dave, there was not much in it to panic about

See route map and/or gpx file download

28th August 2025: Llandegla (mod+)

 Only seven riders on this mild but potentially damp morning at the Gallery cafe. Steve Tan walked over to the Gladstone to check for any strays, but none found. The ‘hilly’ roads of Gogledd Cymru probably a bit arduous for some…lol.

Despite the sparse turnout we still had three groups, the brisk duo of  Ivan and Nick, the mods, Steve T and Keith. Chris, his mate Ron and myself, the middling group!

I had a ride to Llandegla which I hoped would keep us away from the forecasted showers. Riding with the brisk lads as far as Northop, I soon realised that the new lad was a bit quick!

Chris was still nursing a sore knee, so he was at my pace as we watched ‘rocket Ronnie’ whiz off the front, catching him up at junctions as he performed a very impressive track stand!

We followed the tried and trusted route up to Gwernaffield, then down to Loggerheads and finally on the quiet lanes to Llandegla.

Lunch was in the community cafe, Chris of course skipped mains and straight to dessert. Ron told us he worked part time and did a lot of riding, think he said he was up to 5k this year! But the biggest surprise was that he was only 21 - I felt like I was on a ride with my son and grandson…lol

So far, we had only had the slightest of showers and it stayed that way as we rode on to the Ffrith and down to Hope.

The proper rain came as we arrived back at Hawarden, where the two  lads split for Chester, me heading for home and a distance of about 54 miles for the three of us.

 Alan