16th July 2025 : Wrenbury (brisk)

I’d had quite a hot 60 mile ride earlier in the week riding over the Panorama and World’s End so was looking forward to something less strenuous on yet another 28C day. Dave H and Keith had just arrived by car at Alison’s and were unloading their steeds. Gradually quite a lot more arrived so there were 10 -12 of us including Dave M. 

There was also a new rider, Simon, who was coming out for a taster session, which we duly obliged for him. As per usual there was only a vague idea of a route from Dave who mentioned Malpas. Dave suggested I lead a brisker ride so I fished around on my gpx files for a route to Wrenbury. So now the brisk group consolidated into Simon, Toby, Nick, with Anthony and myself. 

Saying I had a route was an over-statement really as we all rode up Rocky Lane and onwards to Clutton and the back of Carden Park. I was conscious that we were going to ride right by Nick’s front door but he was OK as he was off to see Paul Weller in Ludlow. So we said bye bye to Nick in Tilston. Now where to go!

I decided that the best way to navigate was to decide on the spur of a moment as a new directional opportunity arose. This we did by heading for Shocklach where I knew there was a lane off left just before the Worthenbury “main” road. So we head down to Chorlton and out to the Worthenbury main road where another left or right decision is executed:- it was left then right.

Everyone was riding well and quite quickly but I was about to change all that with a slide down to Dymocks Mill. We have been down there before but from the other direction which is the preferred  way to attack this handy shortcut. On that occasion, we watched a medium-sized lorry trying to reverse up the steep narrow and twisting lane out as it was unable to turn around by the house at the bridge over the stream. 

This valley of the Wych brook marks the border between England and Wales as we now headed towards Whitchurch. Another L or R decision veers us off to visit Whitewell Church. We’ve been passed this enigmatic church on many occasions but today we went in to find a curiously designed interior. This link is worth a read if you have time. 

We take the main drag into Whitchurch and out via the curiously named road “Chemistry” and onwards to Marbury and thence to Wrenbury. This road out of Whitchurch starts off as Claypit Lane then changes  to Alport Road and then as it rises, changes to Mile Bank road all within half a mile!

Whitwell Church (ex Wiki)

The lunch venue was a choice between Berries (which I kept calling Maggies) and the Canalside cafe. Toby had recently been to Berries so it was the Canalside for lunch. The food choice is the normal fare but it did take a while to arrive as we sat outside in the sunshine. Conversation was varied as usual including the World Cup and how Simon and I have known each other for at least 25 years ("Am Dram" in Guilden Sutton).

Off now with the return leg with a fairly conventional run through Wrenbury, Ravensmoor, Brindley  and Cappers Lane into Bunbury. A slide around Beeston Castle finds us ready to turn towards the Ice Cream Farm as Anthony peals off for this car in Tattenhall. His ride was 46 miles around as we three take Sandy Lane into Chester. Toby and Simon probably end up with 60+ miles whereas mine was 70 miles and the outside temperature was pushing 29C

So a successful ride based upon “shall we go left or right at this junction” routing which worked pretty well I thought, and , thanks to the trio who hitched their ride to my ride idea. 

 See route map and/or gpx file download

CA