A fine and slightly warmer day in prospect today and NO RAIN!. Meadow Lea cafe is always popular with walkers and cyclists alike so the CER riders were well ensconced inside as I arrived at 1000. A few more arrived a little later; so there were at least two rides in the offing.
There were two “new” riders today one of whom, Simon, threw his lot in with the Brisk group who were going to Whatcroft - where’s that? was the universal question posed by all and sundry; well at least three people!
I had spent my usual diligent approach when curating this ride i.e. about 10 mins before I left home; so it would be all ok with no hidden issues arising. The peloton consisted of Chris,Toby, Nick, and Ray with new rider Simon and myself. Chris’s friend the bike balancer Ronnie also joined us albeit briefly.
We turned left instead of a planned right turn out of the gate so that Nick could get some fluids for the ride as he had forgotten to refit a bottle cage on his bike. There are two shops in the centre of Guilden Sutton housing estate near to the village hall. Nick gets his fluids as Ray remarks that he never knew there were shops here.
We set off towards Dunham and Mouldsworth and Manley via a slightly longer route than normal. We are soon climbing up to 500ft as we crest Birch Hill on the fast run down to Kingsley. We take the tiny lanes to Acton Bridge followed by a short stretch of the main road towards Weaverham. The village information board describes this as a pretty, sleepy village until ICI arrived close by in 1921. A bit later on we sidle around the huge landfill site towering above the road bringing us to ICI’s successor plants of Tata Chemicals at Winnington.
The traffic lights at the Weaver Navigation bridge are well backed up today for some reason. Turning up the short sharp Soot Hill we motor on to Comberbach then onto Great Budworth, which is as pretty as ever. It’s a pleasant run now through Pickmere and Wincham to Plumley passing the well-scaffolded Smoker Pub, where Nick used go for works Christmas do’s.
I can hear rumbling stomachs now as we hit Lach Dennis at 32 mls out. Fortunately, the Oakwood Marina is just 5 mins away. We have been here a handful of times and never been disappointed with the service and quality of the food and today was no exception. Eggs Florentine, giant sausage rolls, beans on toast and a very good three egg omelette, were the selection today along with usual table banter.
The return is predictable via Hartford to Norley. At the Hatchmere crossroads, I’m ready to set loose the dogs for the usual fast run back through Delamere Forest. We recover at Dark Lane crossroads deciding which way back. As Nick has to go back to Tilston, we follow him to Aston Hayes. Simon wants to climb Mouldsworth hill so we say farewell as he rides solo back to Chester.
Very close to Meadow Lea, we pass Keith and Steve by as they head home, as we now head down the Greenway. So a 54 miler with the tight peloton keeping close with shades of the old days, and where the ride leader was the only person with a detailed or recently cobbled together route.
Many thanks to the Chester rider companions today who will have at least mid 60 miles ridden and Nick with quite a lot more today.
See route map and/or gpx file download
CA
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