I arrived with ‘the thief’, who decided to join me on the way up to Walk Mill, where we arrived a bit behind the rest. I counted 18 in total, all getting warm before the off. It was a very cold day and the winds were already building, expected to reach 25 kph by lunch.I had the best wind whispering route I could come up with, in order to cheat the south easterly wind, which I later realised was more ESE at best.
Our lunch destination was Lynda’s quaint little cafe, directly west and because of the cold weather, just a 30 mile round trip for some, especially the lightweight Chuckle Brothers-Lol. My group became the CB’s of course, Toby, Shane, aka ‘the thief’, Mariusz and Chris, aka Lastminute.com who hadn’t actually made it (surprise surprise) However, he hoped to join us, after a quick phone call to explain where we were heading. He was fixing a puncture, his second in 2 rides, although I thought I could hear the coffee machine in the back ground- Lol.
We set off right behind the fast boys, or should they be known as the ‘electric boys and their chasers’- Lol. However, there was no Clive on the day, which caused Nick to comment that the pace might be slower with only Ivan being electrified or words to that effect- Lol. We followed them toward Waverton, but soon split as they took Martins Ln. We were soon crossing the A41 heading for Saighton and the right turn that would lead us up through Huntington. Still with a cross tail wind, we hit Chester and proceeded towards the race course via the Corniche as I like to call it.The river was flowing fairly high, but the weir was still visible and there were very few people about, unlike us, they had the sense to stay home and keep warm-Lol.
Now on the race course cycle way, we were only a mile from the River Dee towpath and my anticipated 6+ miles of full on tailwind, which didn’t disappoint. We flew along, barely pedalling, as the wind had really lifted. This provided ample time for chit chat and the usual queries on our intended lunch venue, which, as most know, I occasionally keep to myself ( for a little surprise). Mariusz and I got into a discussion about the Dee and places he had worked locally, as he reminisced about how many times he had ridden that towpath (mostly for work) He was also disputing my claim that the towpath was a 6 mile stretch. So, in the interest of true facts for the blog-Lol; can you believe, according to ‘Plotaroute’, from the start to Shotton, as we rode it, is in fact 7.5 miles. Very deceiving when you’re whipping along at 22+mph.
So 7.5 miles gone in a flash, we turned off right onto the Greenway, at Shotton, which also prompted pit stop for CB2 to have his obligatory cereal bar-Lol. This just happened to be where CB1 had recently been volunteering for Sustrans, as he often does every week (admirable indeed). Unfortunately we had stopped in just the wrong spot, as Alan couldn’t help but spot discarded gel packets and other rubbish, which prompted a small tirade about those cyclists who chuck rubbish. A subtle wink from me to Steve and he simply took one mouthful and we quickly got going again, before Allan could get too worked up - Lol.
As we got going, I pointed out that we only had 2 or 3 miles-ish to our lunch venue, although a bit of a battle back into the wind, as the Greenway is not as sheltered just there. We turned off the Greenway at High Grove and just 1 mile later, once we hit the high street in Saughall, we turn right into Lynda’s cafe, once we identified the right building -Lol.
Bikes, all tucked away around the corner, we enter Lynda’s to find a quaint little gem of a cafe and lucky for us it was empty. Apparently they were rammed, at the same time, the day before. A few locals did pitch up just after us, but the staff made us feel welcome, moving several tables together and also obliged our requests for cooked breakfast, despite being past 12 and now on the afternoon menu. Although CB1 did point out it said ‘till 2pm’ on the menu. Conversation was well varied, especially when Lastminute.com walked in. His bare legs made us all shiver. He was made up to see his old mate Mariusz. Discussions ranged from Whatsapp and sharing of locations to Lé Shuttle, as I was after info for my July trip.
All our food was excellent and at cracking prices. Allan & I had a veg breakfast for £6:50 and Tea in bone China- superb . I only realised it was bone china when I saw ‘the thief’ with his little pinkie up in the air- Lol. The only negative is no toilets, but there is a public toilet next door. This cafe also has an unusual ‘honesty box’ feature in the form of a cake shack, where you can simply grab a cake and go, paying the required fee to the box of course. not seen the likes before.
Lunch done, we all formed up for the off, after a few more track stands from Mariusz, who has now gained his pseudonym and from here on will be known as the ‘poser’- Lol. We retraced our last mile back to the Greenway, in order to cheat the wind all the way to Guilden Sutton, although, as I mentioned before, the wind must have swung a tad, as it was still in our face, at times, despite all the tree cover- bar humbug, but not that bad really.That said, it was feeling well chilly by now and it wasn’t long before we lost the ‘poser’ who turned off some where near Blacon ( job done) It didn’t surprise me as he must have been freezing in just a couple of woollen jumpers and no windproof ( they make them hard in the Netherlands)
After a few more miles of chasing Toby, we arrived at the end of the Greenway and ride past Meadow Lea cafe, into Guilden Sutton, where the light weights aka the Chuckle Brothers finished their ride, just as it was getting serious, having only done 30 miles-Lol. Meanwhile the rest of us pushed on to Waverton where upon we lost Shane who suddenly had his own agenda- Lol. We thought he was heading home to Tilston, but as I later found out he had other secret plans, as he turned left toward Walk Mill. After a brief discussion with Chris and Toby, who wanted more miles, they decided to escort me home and then head back to Chester. So they turned right with me, clearly realising I had no legs left and knowing there were more stiff headwinds to come, must have felt sorry for me.
So, we crossed the A41 again and were quickly through Saighton for our second time, we swung downhill past Abbey College and on to Bruera, where we turned left into Platt’s lane and what felt like a brick wall, to me at least. Thankfully I had my savours and new best buddies- Lol, doing a double act, shielding me from the full on headwind. They rode the last 4 miles side by side and dragged me to Tattenhall, where they then turned left, heading for a much easier cross tailwind finish back to Chester via the canal road. Much appreciated gents.
I road through Tattenhall and negotiated the still closed Frog Ln, where they are replacing the whole water main, as they are up through the A41. The disruption is going on for a month or two it seems.
It’s taken them three weeks to complete Chapel Ln, so I don’t hold much hope for a quick job on the A41. Anyway, I got home with 48 miles on the clock and an AS of less than 14 mph-shock horror, although I think that has more to do with limping through Frog Ln, than the overall ride- Lol.
Despite the bitterly cold day, we still had a good ride, notwithstanding some great banter. And what a cafe find for us! although a regular of Fiona and Elwyn’s, when they are with their usual ‘cafe hoppers’.
PS- I later discovered The Thief’s secret agenda was to ride on past Walk Mill to Wrenbury, but he fell foul of a puncture half way and ended up calling his good lady to pick him up, because he left his pump at home - The great Dellboy comes to mind- “you plonker Rodney”- Lol.
Till next time peasants - Lol.
See route map and/or gpx file download
Wind Whisperer (NT)
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