We hadn’t
expected this! There were hundreds of
cars in the car park at ten to ten at Delamere on New Year’s Day. I hadn’t anticipated
a massively popular Park Run through the forest taking place. The café was very busy, but the staff
appeared to cope despite the queues for food and drink. Just as I thought that
Steve Tan and I were the only club members to make it Steve Hughes and Alan
appeared. It was great for me to be back catching up with friends and be ready
to lead my first ride for months. Steve Hughes couldn’t join us for the ride,
so it was just three of us that set out in the direction of Acton Bridge. Alan
and Steve cruised up the climb from the Trent and Mersey Canal after crossing
the A49, while I pegged away doggedly behind. We crossed the main Runcorn to Northwich
road and later turned left at Cogshall Hall. We then meandered on a quiet
network of small lanes, taking in the scenic Higher Whitley pond and finishing
up around Whitley Reed. There is another pleasant loop available here that passes
the house with two historic German flight training biplanes in a small hangar.
I have seen the owner soaring into a clear blue summer sky from an adjacent
field in the past. However, I was hoping to reach Knutsford for lunch, so turned
right, heading straight for the Arley Estate. I recalled finishing up in
Warrington hospital a few years back here after trying to identify birds in a
field whilst spanking along with a tailwind and careering out of control.
Coming out of the estate I passed the horse training centre at Arley Moss Farm
where they had helped me get cleaned up before the ambulance arrived.
My ambition to lunch at Knutsford was waning as time was knocking on, and with it being New Year’s Day, lunch arrangements could not be guaranteed to turn us around efficiently. My two sensible companions felt strongly that we needed to head back. We knew that the excellent morning sunshine was forecast to turn to heavy afternoon showers, and we could be battling a strong cold wind in fading light from Knutsford. I think Steve may have had the Cock O’Budworth in mind as a lunch destination, but as I had visited the Spinner and Bergamot at Comberbach recently with Keith Barlow and rung them to ensure that they would be open, that’s where we headed. The pub was warm, the food was spot on, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Steve had trouble initially as he has less body fat than Tadej Pogacar and was shivering badly.
As we went
to set off back very heavy rain started. I was inclined to stay in shelter for
a while to see if it would pass, but Steve was mindful to avoid finishing in poor
light. The heavy rain did not last, and we were soon climbing up to Acton
Bridge. I had already asked Alan and Steve to go ahead, as following my hip job
I was likely to be a fair way behind them up the climbs back to Delamere. We
had some more rain on the last leg, but as so often, I think that the three of
us were glad that we had made the effort, rather than sitting at home. Alan had
done very little cycling lately, and obviously it was a big step for me. Steve is
re-assessing his warm clothing requirements. I have to thank them for their
patience. It is so relaxing to be in
their company and great to be back.
DH
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