09 October 2025: Little Bollington (mod)

 There was a good attendance of members of mixed abilities when I arrived at the Delamere station cafe; despite the cool westerly breeze. Dave Heath was looking rather smart in his civvies as was Dave Matthews. There were plenty of Mods+ and Briskers together with Mods (The Slow Group to some). Keith enquired as to where I was thinking of going and I advised I had a route to the ‘Swan with Two Nicks’ via Knutsford and Tatton Park, returning via the Trans Pennine Trail to Runcorn. Quickly I was to be joined by the remaining Runcorn contingent of Steve Tan, Roy with his resplendent Claud Butler Tandem and friend Carmen his ‘Stoker’.

We departed at 10:30 and were soon overtaken by a rabble of faster cyclists pertaining to be Briskers, which we caught up shortly at Hatchmere. We then navigated our way to Knutsford following part of the Cheshire Cycleway/Bob Clift 100. This included Acton Bridge, Little Leigh, Comberbach and Great Budworth. At Bate Heath a black vehicle overtook us and turned left nearly taking out Roy, Carmen and myself. It was not on camera but a few expletives were said plus I gave the driver a ‘Churchillian Wave’.

At Tatton Park we were advised it was the ‘Rutting Season’ but alas only sheep were observed. The deer must have been hibernating. It was cold and we were glad the wind was in our favour. Through Rostherne and after passing under the M56 we were overtaken by a police car which initially Steve and I thought was on the motorway.

Arriving at our hostelry it wasn’t busy and with their efficient service we had a table to ourselves. The food was lovely but the price of their Soda drinks was excessive (Inflation for you). Discussion at lunchtime covered Wigg Island, Cycle to work Scheme and rust proofing treasured motor vehicles.

On our return, we quickly picked up the Trail.  Quite a good surface to Lymm, it was damp so minimal dust. Through Lymm parts had been physically tarmacked. At Statham we joined the public roads that took us under the M6 Thelwall Viaduct, Thelwall and down to the locks on the Manchester Ship Canal, an engineering masterpiece. We picked up the Trail again to take us through Warrington past Walton Lock then over to Arpley Meadows and the River Mersey. Like all Trails, it wouldn’t be one without a close encounter with a sewage works and duly we passed Warrington’s. Onto the towpath of the derelict St Helens Canal with a cold wind against to take us to Runcorn. We were able to observe the ‘Net Zero’ Fiddlers Ferry coal fired power station waiting for its cooling towers to be demolished. But oh, it was cold and thanks Keith for providing me some shelter. After crossing the Mersey into Runcorn on a nice cycleway we made our separate ways. Carmen & Roy went to Keith’s for ‘High Tea’ while Steve and myself made or way to Heath/Tan country. There Steve made his way to home and I continued onto Chester. Overall, a lovely day with friends, where those from Runcorn will have covered about 53 miles, what I would call the ‘Runcorn Circular’.

MG 

2nd October 2025 : Willaston (mod)

Starting at Walk Mill, George, Keith, Trevor, and I set out to travel to Bromborough and back for lunch. (I tried to recruit Alan O, but he declined, saying it was “the dark side.”)

We headed towards Tarvin and Dunham-on-the-Hill. Because my cycle route app was failing, we relied on TC to help us find Hobs Lane near Thornton-le-Moors. A good pace was then made towards Ellesmere Port.

Again, with my app problems, Keith directed us via Capenhurst. The pace was good, with a tailwind helping us as we travelled towards Ledsham. TC suggested we stop at the Railway Café in Willaston for lunch.

Having never been there before (and nor had GW), we were pleasantly surprised by the menu and how good the food was. I learnt that the railway line was originally built to transport coal from Neston before, and in 1886, becoming a commuter line to West Kirby on the Wirral.

After lunch, TC suggested we ride along the Wirral Way to add some extra miles, then head past Ness Café along the cycle path to Deeside, and finally onto Meadow Lea. At this point, the wind had picked up and persisted all the way. GW mentioned that the Greenway is in fact over 10 miles long. Even with the headwind, we managed to keep a good pace.

During the ride, Keith mentioned he was looking for an upmarket 3D cycle seat—possibly £500—which he thought would be a good investment. Like Keith, I suffer from poor cycle seating, so it may be worth considering one day.

Eventually, TC and Keith turned off for home, while GW and I returned to Walk Mill. The last five miles seemed long, but we managed to keep the pace going (just about for me, though no problem for George). At the end of the ride, it was calculated that we had covered 43 miles, which was a good result considering the problems we had at the start. Thanks again to TC and Keith

See route map and/or gpx file download

RB

NB : Route map is not exactly that as reported above

2nd October 2025 : Audlem (Mod +)

In a reversal of recent weeks, the mods outnumbered the mod+ riders significantly today. Due I’m sure to the excitement preceding a Big Ray ride around the southern parts of the Wirral. Thus Alan, Clive and I set off using a 53 mile route that Alan had acquired from the CER archives. No sooner had the words “I wonder if Chris is out” left Alan's lips then Chris appeared on cue. So now we had a quartet.

So out of the cafè and right towards Burton and the 50p shop. It was clear that ride leader Alan had a cunning plan to ensure he was not asked to lead rides in the future. One technique was to give notice of a left or right turn as we passed it. As Alan was adopting a rear gunner approach eg manage from the rear, this led to Clive sailing past key turns. 

With my memory fresh from Chris’s attacks on the climb from the Shady to Beeston Castle, I preempted his attack and emptied myself on the climb. Other than my red face and lung bursting breaths, I was surprised to see Chris calmly following me up. Youth eh!

Three riders looking at two black swans on a pond

The lovely lanes to Bunbury and Wrenbury were occasionally spoilt by Formula 1 tractor drivers or navigating the detritus of mud from said Formula 1 vehicles. By Wrenbury, Alan was muttering words such as “it's a lot further than I thought” and “where is it?” when referring to the lunch venue. 

However contrary to Alan’s belief, the Cafe at the Marina had not in fact moved and it welcomed us in. Those of you who had ridden with Chris will know he adopts a DIY method at lunchtime. But not today, Chris "seven bellies" despatched a Coffee/egg sandwich/ Egg &Bacon on toast , Oh, and did I mention the large portion of cake! Clearly the lad was hungry. 

A wind assisted route back past Hack Green led to ride leaders ultimate abdication. "I can’t find the route on my computer" came the cry! Fortunately Clive knew a route through Nantwich and Bunbury to get us back. Gleefully free of the burden of leadership, Alan was happy to swoop around the group and attack on the climbs. 

Just after Tilstone Fearnall bank, Clive consulted the group and asked did we want the “flat” route skirting Tarporley, or the hilly route to Utkinton road. Despite three of use voting for flat, Clive took a leadership decision and we ascended towards Utkinton road on Winterford Lane in Eaton. 

At last by Rose Farm, our route back to Waverton was flat and debris free. Clive and Chris turned right for Chester where Chris clocked a respectable 71 miles,  similar to Clive. Alan and I nudged 56, so a good ride at a decent pace in excellent company. 

See route map and/or gpx file download

SHu