Rose Farm was the venue for this week’s anticipated
event, after what can only be called a wash out at last weeks’ Walk Mill event-
more about that later-Lol.
There were 14 by my head count and a few of those
with no intention of riding. Clive pitched up with one hand in bandages. He
apparently trapped his fingers in a mangle while doing the washing at home- ok
ok; it sounded much more interesting than a small operation on his hand, the
day before -Lol. As for DH, he was
also still recovering from his hip operation, but is now able to drive, which
means that is the end of the 6+ weeks of sublime insubordination enjoyed by
all, due to the lack of supreme leadership.
Just realised that sounded like I was writing about
the Labour Party- Lol.
I believe two groups formed, with Steve T leading a
small Mod group and yours truly with the usual Mod+ rabble-oh! And ‘the very
nice man’ aka Kev, who had clearly recovered from his honeymoon at last,
although his excuse for not attending for a month or so was in fact moving house and now lives in Handbridge- Lol. Trevor and Jim were doing their own thing along with DM, not
necessarily together.
My posse for the day, although in some cases, should
read pussies, were the CB’s of course, Shane (complete with cleat covers-Lol),
Toby ( replete with new shiny Rapha rain jacket, after the thorough soaking
from last week’s event- apparently it took 5 days for him to stop shivering-
Lol). My final group members were Rapha Ray and Kev or at
least it was when we started - all will be revealed.
After waiting an extra 10 mins for ‘last
minute.com’, aka Chris, who didn’t turn up, which is becoming his raison
d’êtra, despite calling us to say he would make it. BTW, I can’t claim to have given Chris his designation, which is
so apt for him that I couldn’t ignore CB2’s witty retort.
After a rally charge from said CB2, we set off left
and immediately into a soaking wet lane and a misbehaving Garmin again! It had
dumped my route, which needed a reboot (it was fine during coffee, honest
Gov.) After the reboot, I realised we should have gone
left almost immediately out of Rose Farm and so I proposed we retrace in order
to complete the planned loop to Eaton, but I was overruled by CB2, for the
second time in as many minutes. Far be it for me to point the finger, but it
wasn’t me who decided we had waited long enough for ’lastminute.com (I think I
heard “flippin heck old boy, it’s time we got a shufty on” or something similar
with a few f’s and ings-Lol)
So, now passing McDonald Portal golf club, having
taken the short cut across the A49 via Heath Green, which surprised a few of
the group (needs must) We quickly descended Cobblers Cross Ln into the bottom
of Tarporley for another crossing of the A49 (this time not on foot). We were heading for Brassey Green and Beeston beyond. My route
was a typical ‘wind whispering’ effort, in order to negate some of the stiff south
easterly wind, which was pretty chilly as well.
After a fairly brisk few flatter miles we started to
climb up towards the Pheasant Inn, which prompted somebody to ask if the Poffee
cafe was somewhere nearby. Sure enough, just as he said it I turned left, right
on top of it-Lol. We swung downhill towards School Lane and our prize of the
infamous Harthill (for once we were doing it the hard way). After a brief pit stop at the top, next to the old cookery
school, which caused me to comment that “the giant whisk had gone”, while
everybody caught their breath of course. I then remarked to Shane about
the very stoic houses opposite. We postulated as to how many Hammer horror
films they may have appeared in, as they do look a bit gruesome. Next time
you’re up there, have a good look and you might understand where I am coming
from-Lol.
We quickly zoomed down to Brown Knowl and another
ascent through the village above. Once down the other side, heading towards
Hampton Heath, we turn right and again enjoy a slight descent into the little
roundabout of the A41, right on top of the Forts of India restaurant, which has
apparently been closed down, according to local gossip-say no more.
Soon after I point out the Farm shop on the left
that appears to be extending next door. I did coincidently and subsequently
hear, the next day, that they are expanding into becoming a cafe bistro as
well. A very interesting development, as most of my southerly loops go through
that area. The Fire Station cafe, in Malpas, although good, is not exactly
convenient. Like DH, I prefer to avoid riding through Malpas.
It didn’t take long before we turned right into
Mates Ln, after a short uppie bit. This meant we were finally heading with the
wind and also not far from our lunch stop. Just as we approach Simmonds Green, CB1 pulled up along side and
I just knew he was going to ask how far it was to lunch. To be sure, he
did-Lol. This prompted me to tell him a story about the turkey that nearly
took me out on that lane, a few years back. It was massive and just as scared
as I was. I assume it had escaped the adjacent farm.
Now we were on the best bit off the ride, the long
descent into Tilston. Once there I decided to wing it up to Carden Park, after
a prompt from Toby, which meant we would regain a mile or two. This enabled us
to enter Carden Park via their back entrance, at the top of Stretton Mill Ln
(only accessible by bike) . CB1
came along side again and reminded me of my kingfisher sighting at the bottom
of Carden Park, so we rode through in anticipation, but alas, no sighting this
time.
We cross the Nantwich to Wrexham road into Mill Ln
and we are now only a mile from Manorwood cafe, which I remarked to the gang
was under new management and that I had not been there since they took over. We arrived and found it very quiet and a subtle make over, with
a few comments about what a nice spot it was beside the Mere.
However, just as we were sitting down, in came ‘Last minute .com’-
Lol-Lol. So it was no surprise to find conversation revolved
around what happened to him, especially as his hands were covered in black oil,
which as most of you are probably aware, cycling with Chris is always an
adventure / disaster- Lol.
Anyway,
everybody got their orders in and Chris tucked into his usual egg roll. He then explained why he didn’t make it to Rose Farm on time. And
what a surprise, he had a fairly typical bike problem. His derailleur hanger
fell apart and he nearly lost a jockey wheel. Fortunately he stopped
immediately and found the bolt hanging out of a dangling cage, but the wheel
still there. He managed to cobble it back together and ultimately managed to
short cut his way across country to meet us at the Manorwood - I was impressed.
Service
was quick and our food arrived just as fast, although expensive. Shane and I had beans on toast at £12:50! with pot of tea.
However, it was the best beans I have ever had, made up of kidney beans and
butter beans in a chilly sauce.
Can
you believe there was at least 2 minutes of discussion about wet cycling shoes
that hadn’t dried out from last week, I mean come on guys - my shoes were dry,
but then I was the sensible one who didn’t ride- Lol. However, I did turn up at
their lunch venue, just to rub it in- I mean to support their efforts-Lol.
We
got going again, eventually! This time it was me at fault, forgetting to fill
my water bottle and a bit of faffing about. At least we knew who was
departing or carrying on . Shane
only lives a half mile away from the cafe and apparently needed to pick up a
Christmas tree, so he left
The
rest of us set off for Tattenhall and my home of course, but I continued on
after losing the CB’s and Toby at the junction to Huxley, on the other side of
Tattenhall.
Those
three took the canal road to Waverton and I lead ‘the very nice man’ to Brassey
Green, where I said goodbye, after making sure he could make it to Rose Farm
(another 2 miles) I then turned back for Beeston and the Shady pub, for a
headwind finish to Tattenhall.
I
got home with 50 miles on the clock and an AS of 14.8 mph, which was the same
for the group, but the actual route mileage was 37 miles and a very respectable
AS considering the hills. It was a lovely day of
camaraderie and sunshine, if a bit windy. We had some great laughs,
especially with and at ‘last minute.com’. He never fails to make us all laugh.
I
have to say that leading this somewhat dysfunctional bunch of cyclists was a
pleasure-Lol.
Till
next time ladies,
the Wind Whisperer aka Neil.
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