5th March 2026: Nantwich

 It was great to meet Liz and Dave, who were up for a ride to Bunbury with the tandem. Jim had returned from holiday and was also pleased to join in on a short route. I had a route reaching Nantwich, but a rough estimate using Google indicated it would be about thirty-seven miles. I was slightly in denial of this as I had an appointment in Widnes at 3.15, not 3.50 as I had first thought, so I needed to return to Walk Mill for 2.30 which was probably too optimistic. Despite getting out to my bike early, we didn’t manage to leave on time; the first base for needing to crack-on hadn’t been reached. Poor old Mold Andy had arrived in a sweat, and by the time his cup of tea was served didn’t have time to drink it, (although he wasn’t the cause of delay). The mod group consisted of Trevor, Andy B, Dave Matthews, Ray, Steve Tan, Andy W and me. We set off for Tiverton via Burton and Hoofield, before swooping down to the canal and railway on the A49 and climbing to the left turn after the former Wild Boar now being developed into apartments. We soon reached Alpraham where to avoid a rough lane and save time we headed down the A51 to Long Lane, not far, but unlikely to please Andy W with his ‘A’ road aversion neurosis. (Unlike Andy B who often uses main roads to return to wet Wales expediently). We finished up at Cholmondeston and then headed south for Venetian Marina. Dave Matthews was made up with his electric bike but decide that he needed to eat; although we had only been out for about an hour and forty (he had been up since 6a.m. and must have only eaten half a Dairylea triangle on a thin slice of toast for breakfast). He did have a point though, Tilly’s for lunch was a bit of a stretch.  We could go to the nearby café Imagination Lane  at Gates Farm and think of shortening the total route. A little pow-wow about a re-adjustment of our route was made difficult by having two riders out in front way up the road. In the end Dave headed back for Taylor’s Tearoom at Venetian Marina and was later able to recommend it under the newish ownership. We finished up at the marina on Chester Road opposite Dorfold Hall at the edge of Nantwich. The weather had been fine and it was a very nice spot for a lunch stop close to the narrow boats. I ordered soup for expediency, but it wasn’t on the menu and although very nice took a little time to be made from scratch. Steve by this time had decided to have a proper lunch and ride back to Runcorn from somewhere on the return route. I had to act quickly as I was going to miss my medical appointment. I indicated my simple intended return route for the group to Trevor by way of my OS map and quickly cleared off.

The only way I could get back in time was straight down the A51 to Duddon before turning left to Walk Mill, which, with a following wind, worked out, as I was just about able to drive out of Walk Mill on schedule. Having spoken to Trevor, the return in the direction of Bunbury via Acton and Haughton went smoothly.  Andy W returned by way of Cholmondeley, and Andy B and Steve headed home at convenient points; Ray was the only one needing to return to Walk Mill for his car. Trevor reckoned the basic route was 37.5 miles. Thanks to Trevor for taking over, and to Steve for being so tolerant about me driving home without him.  It was a lovely, sunny day on some enjoyable lanes in the usual good company.

DH 

See route map and/or gpx file download