12th March 2026: Comberbach

 So todays ride, yet again I just couldn’t be bothered to check the weather. Otherwise, like so many, I wouldn’t have set out from the house, but put ‘Loose Women’ on instead of recording it for later . The hardy souls that did turn out in a moderate breeze and awaiting the rain were myself, electric Dave, Dave H, Toby and a 'new lad' called Chris otherwise known as ‘last minute.com’ to the mod+ lads. I said new, due to the fact half his body has disappeared now that he’s all hair and a lean mean cycling machine . So we set off against the wind - yes it wasn’t a breeze - heading for a circular route to Comberbach via Norley , Acton Bridge (downhill) , around Little Leigh , Higher Whitley and Antrobus . 

It was around here we stopped for a mothers meeting. Toby and Chris, who usually are out with Neil’s or any of the slightly faster groups were unsure of what to expect, but were given a vote on where to go. Not that it meant anything to me or Dave H, as we just said it’s going to be a few extra miles the way we were heading and that the weather was going to be against us on the return. So we headed for the Spinner and Bergamot (ok, it’s a named after a spinning loom between Pickmere and Wincham owned by the Smith family who had a jockey who’s best horse was called Bergamot). Here, we left Toby who was cycling with last minute Chris back to Chester, so they didn’t dine with me and his lordship. Their mileage was done via new money i.e. kilometres, so they probably achieved in excess of 80/90 kilometres in old money, around 50/60 miles according to Google.

Me and club royalty got a decent seat as the pub was empty and under new ownership, so it wasn’t difficult. We then ordered our grub which took ages. It was one of those moments where we had got warm and comfortable, so let’s order an Uber. But being stupid, we went back out to dark skies and head winds .

So our route back to Delamere was as follows;  Little Leigh but this time through the village then back to the river at the Acton swing bridge where we had the climb up the hill we had descended earlier. But hats off to us both - even against the wind we didn’t get off. Then the weather gods thought ‘oh that’s it now, I’m putting heavy rain into the mix for the rest of the journey’. This was via Acton Bridge station to Crowton, then up another hill we had descended earlier which was pot holed, missing tarmac, mud- covered and now wet and puddled - oh, that’s us two, sorry. Anyway, you get the idea. The rain and wind made my mind wander to the last time I rode up this hill. I had shorts and sleeveless cycling jersey on, getting sweat in my eyes, not cold wet rain. Anyway, at the top yet again neither of us had dismounted, so we headed on the short run to Hatchmere lake where Dave had parked. I’d ridden out, but with being the nominated carer, I accepted a lift back to the ‘village by the river’. So my mileage today was 46 miles and Dave around 32 all told. With the wind and rain later, it wasn’t a bad effort by us all .

One final note I forgot. Steve H had arrived at Delamere knowing that none of the mod+ hierarchy were attending, but he came anyway to see what idiots where stupid enough to venture out. His mode of transportation was a very nice Vespa (mods & rockers age).  

Footnote: I know it’s not clever not looking at the weather forecast, but as we all live in the UK, we expect variations in the weather.  Mostly, this year so far, the weather gods have taken a great pleasure in making me use all my winter cycling attire, but I can say it was  another top cycling day. So cheers to the guests from the mod+ mob who learned things today from the really moderate duo .

KB

27th March 2025: Comberbach (mod)

 Despite it being a sunny morning with the prospect of good weather all day, only eight members turned up at Delamere station, four moderate and four mod+ riders. Early on there were murmurings about just having a single group ride. Steve Hu was immediately disqualified from riding. He had turned up on a motorbike. Now we do accept e-bikes in our club but, sorry Steve, motorbikes are a definite no-no. Steve T announced that he would be riding with us but eventually Alan & Shane decided that the two of them would do their own mod+ ride. I had a vague idea for a ride that would take us to lunch at either Pickmere or Comberbach but without the benefit of a downloaded route I warned the others that I might have to keep stopping to check my map. Not easy when it’s on the small screen of a satnav.

 David M was going to do his own thing, heading off to the Whitegate way and would join us as far as Norley. He set of with the rest of us which included Keith, Mike D, Steve T and me. We passed through Hatchmere, Norley (where David M left us) and Acton Bridge before dropping down to cross the Weaver. As we started the climb up to Little Leigh Steve T had a problem with his gears which caused his chain to come off. After getting it back on he found that he couldn't change on to his large chain ring. He pushed his bike up the hill and then tried to carry on but it was clear that there were other issues so he took the decision to turn off and head for home.

 Keith, Mike and I carried on passing the little Baptist Chapel. We weren't far from Comberbach but it was far too early for lunch so I thought it would have to be Pickmere. So we turned left and headed up towards Frandley then across the main road and into Antrobus. A loop beckoned which would take us into and around the edge of Arley Hall. A right turn took us towards Pickmere but it was still too early for lunch so we turned towards Marston. After passing through Marston we turned into Marbury Country Park and followed the quiet paths to reach Marbury Road. Only a short ride now to Comberbach where we finally found our way to the Spinner & Bergamot. 

 After an excellent (but probably too large) lunch we retraced our route into the village and turned to head back towards the little Baptist Church. Keith left us here to head home while Mike and I turned up towards Little Leigh to rejoin our outward route. We crossed back over the Weaver and then faced the arduous climb up to Acton Bridge. Rather than retrace our route all the way I avoided the turn to Norley, instead carrying on to Crowton. We eventually regained the outbound route on the approach to the crossroads at Hatchmere at which point the official ride came to an end.

 Had we returned to Delamere Station we would have completed 31 miles. Not the longest of rides but Mike and I had both ridden from home and by the time I got to mine I had done 50 miles with Mike doing a few more. Keith's total would have been about the same.     

TC

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4th January 2024: Comberbach (mod)

There was only a small turnout for the first CER club ride of the new year. Dave H had planned a ride to the Spinner and Bergamot at Comberbach but because of a last minute problem at home he hadn't turned up. Matt had a ride to Hartford but decided to go with the brisk group instead. That left just Ray and myself for a moderate ride and I had no idea where to go. While trying to decide where to go David M decided to join us for part, if not all, of the route and Dave H, having solved his problem, rang and said he would meet us at the Leigh Arms.

So three of us set off from Delamere Station passing through Hatchmere, Norley and Acton Bridge before crossing the Weaver to meet Dave H. The four of us then climbed up to Little Leigh and took a short diversion to approach Comberbach via Senna Lane. It was far too early for lunch so we turned right and then left into Marbury Park. We followed the Old Warrington Road before crossing the flashes to reach the New Warrington Road. We then did a loop around Great Budworth but this wasn't enough to fill the time. David M decided to leave us at this point and the rest of us headed up to Antrobus. A loop via Reeds Lane brought us back into Antrobus from where we headed over to Frandley and a second trip down Senna Lane. This time we turned left and headed for lunch at the Spinner and Bergamot.

After lunch we headed straight back to Little Leigh before dropping Dave H back at his car. Ray and I retraced our route from the morning climbing up to Acton Bridge, then Norley.  At Hatchmere I left Ray to make his own way back to Delamere Station while I headed home. He was the only one to complete the 34 mile ride. Not the most exciting route but a pleasant day cycling round the lanes of Cheshire on what had been a cold but sunny winter's day.

See route map and/or gpx file download

Happy New Year.  

TC

28th September 2023: Comberbach (mod)

Despite some riders being away, there was a reasonable turnout at Delamere. It was great to see Steve Haywood, and on his bike as well. Steve's recovery is going to take more time and treatment, but it's a welcome start. Evidence of what is possible after a long physical setback was provided by Matt, actually on two wheels not three! Peter had a struggle making it from home, but his effort just to meet us for a coffee was appreciated. Dave Matthews was not feeling great after a Covid jab, but had also cycled out for coffee. John Wilkie, Ken and Ivan were out from the fast lads group, and Ray Stigter was joining the moderate riders. The moderate group for the day constituted the two Rays, Alan, Steve Hughes, Andy Barber, Matt and myself. I had a scenic, circular route to Comberbach in mind. On our way out we passed filming going on in the forest. Did anyone find out what they were actually producing? We cycled through a film set once in Bunbury, and that did actually finish up on our television screens.  We wound our way to Acton Bridge via Norley Hall and Ainsworth. After crossing the River Weaver it was all quiet, little lanes to picturesque Higher Whitley. Shortly after I suffered my first puncture in a long time. Many thanks to the guys for really getting stuck in to help. Some aspects of the teamwork were more reminiscent of Frank Spencer than Christian Horner, but I was genuinely grateful to Alan, Andy and Big 'bull at a gate' Ray. The riding north west of Arley was flat, quiet and easy, but the troops were getting hungry, so we turned,  south via Hollins Lane, Pole Lane and Gibb Hill. We arrived at The Spinner and Bergamot at one o'clock, fifteen minutes early, but the service was prompt as well as friendly. Andy and myself ordered  a little late, as my tyre needed reseating over the valve following my puncture. The food was spot-on.

Photos by Alan O

The choice after lunch was whether to cycle a few more miles exploring the lanes around Budworth, or to just head straight back. Many had more cycling to do after returning to Delamere, and with a possibility of late afternoon rain, it was a unanimous decision to return directly. I was a bit slow on the return for the usual reasons: age, weight and not cycling enough, so I encouraged the group to press on without me. It's always a slog up from the Weaver to Delamere station, but overall it was a very enjoyable day. It was good to discuss dogs with Ray Stigter, talk cars and driving with Steve, float Special Ride possibilities with Andy and insult Ever Ready Ray at every opportunity. Thanks to Alan for the photographs. About 34 miles covered.

DH

19th January 2023: Arley Hall & Comberbach (mod)

Not for the first time this winter, the environment for cycling was what Frank Lampard may have called “challenging”, when most would have a shorter, more coarse word to describe the situation. Recently, we have had two rides from Chirk, that have included a dismount into a deeply flooded road on a stormy day, and viewing or navigating more water on the fields and lanes to Llanymynech, than most cyclists will ever experience in a single day. Perhaps paradoxically, the latter ride was also sunny, scenic and enjoyed by all (the excellent pub stop with an open fire helped). Wet is one thing, snow and ice something else. Our situation now, at Delamere, was more comparable with our -7°C Chancers' Ride to Pant-yr-Ochain in December, or the time a handful turned up at the Ice Cream Farm in the snow, but only Keith and Steve Tan were daft enough to risk a shortish, hazardous ride. 

So, here we were: Dave Matthews, Clive, Steve Tan, Ray Baird, Steve Haywood and myself. Steve Haywood wasn't 100%, but had hiked from Kelsall, and everybody else had arrived by car. Clive had found his car sliding on turning into the Station Cafe car Park, and it was unanimously agreed that riding conditions were probably dangerous, or “challenging” at least. Nevertheless, Ray, Steve Tan and myself decided to by-pass cycling the busy, dangerous looking Delamere Road and icy downhill lanes to Crowton, and to drive cautiously to “The Horns” before making a decision to ride or abandon. I drove down Norley Lane with Steve as my passenger, and Ray following. At Town Farm there is a wiggle in the road, and we pass a red BMW with its emergency flashers on. It looked like the car had just slid straight on into the grass bank. Steve said the airbags were inflated; this should have been a warning sign to us. 

We crossed the river on the A49 and stopped to inspect the surface. Steve was pretty sure that riding would be too dangerous. I was still keen to give it a try, aware that Ray had driven from the far end of the Wirral, and also wanted to ride. In the end the three of us set off gingerly. We reached Crumleyheath Farm having had a few slippy shimmies, but still in one piece. Steve decided to head to Runcorn from here on white roads before reaching the black asphalt of the A533 and sent a text to us to that effect, when he arrived home safely at noon. I had rung the Golden Fleece in Lymm on the Wednesday, and fancied it as a change, so Ray and myself continued in that direction, through Comberbach, Gibb Hill, Budworth Heath, and heading for Knutsford, before tuning north at Bate Heath. We had avoided Great Budworth, because of visions of sliding down the bank at the A599 and not being able to stop. Certainly Budworth Lane had looked treacherous from Comberbach. 

Our progress had been slow because of the conditions, so I decided to forget Lymm, stop short of crossing the M56, and cut back through the grounds of Arley Hall. I hadn't tried the official bridlepath and 'cycleway' for sometime, so gave it a go. I won't be doing it again, but with the sun out it was a lovely place to cycle and walk. Ray thought that he had lost his helmet, and retraced his steps for a few minutes, but had to give up. I thought it was a bit strange for his helmet to fall off, and both of us not to notice at the time. We walked down to the pond at Arley Green for a photo (you're not supposed to cycle here) then rode again across the cobbles on Back Lane to the entrance on Arley Road. If any surface should have been beyond the pale in the ice and snow it should have been cobbles, but the snow made the surface more level. The straightest way to our new lunch destination at Comberbach was via Crowley Lodge, Grandsires Green and Pole Lane. 

Photo by DH

The Spinner and Bergamot was friendly and warm and the food was of the usual high standard. It was a pleasant opportunity to get to know Ray and his 'backstory' as we sat in front of the fire eating thick cut chips. Any notion that the road conditions would improve as the day warmed up a bit were now binned. I guess that there was now some water on top of ice, which gave all the grip of wet plate glass. We needed to concentrate to the end as we headed for Little Leigh. There were plenty of cars arriving at the primary school for us to navigate around, but none, thankfully, on Leigh Lane as they must have thought it too dangerous! At one time on the way back the back of my bike slid right around. It was like driving a seventies BMW three series on Deeside Ice Rink. At the back of our minds today was that with the overwhelmed NHS, and a nurses' strike day, it was not the best time to risk falling off your bike and breaking something. We got away with it, and had an enjoyable, if 'challenging' short day out. We arrived back at the cars at 3p.m., taking care not to fall dismounting at the icy last. It had been even more risky for Ray - his helmet was in the car!

DH

11th Nov 2021: Comberbach (mod)

 The starting point for today’s ride was Meadow Lea, and a good number of members turned up.  I think three rides set off: a brisk one, a moderate one with Neil, Fiona and Elwyn, and one I led comprising Dave H, Andy B, Alan, Steve T, Trevor, Peter and Andy W. Daylight hours are shortening now we are in mid-November and there were concerns that we completed our route before dusk.  Andy B, who has the longest ride to our starts, was well-prepared with a new jacket featuring 6 LEDs front and back.

Photo by FOK

I had planned a route to the Salt Barge at Marston, a pub where we had enjoyed many good lunches, but which we hadn’t visited since the start of the pandemic. Our route out took us east up the A56 and then past one of our old start points, Manley Mere.  The road past here was as rough as ever, but it was good to travel the old familiar lanes: the Sugar Lane bend and the climb up past New Pale. A steady drizzle began to fall but then passed on. We sped down into Kingsley and took the quickest route to Acton Bridge. We said goodbye to Peter and Andy W and then we rode on through Comberbach and into Great Budworth. Then we took the lane to Higher Marston and finally crossed the Trent and Mersey Canal to arrive at our destination. Regrettably, we found the Salt Barge had stopped serving Thursday lunches, though the landlady suggested the Spinner and Bergamot in Comberbach. Although we had passed by this earlier, it was not far off our return route.

We passed through Marbury Park, exiting right onto Marbury Road and detouring by just over a kilometre we arrived at our new pub. We were efficiently served and were soon tucking into lunch – the favourite being the small fish and chips. I don’t believe we’ve ever been disappointed by this pub.

Photo by SHa

We continued back down Marbury Road, past the Anderton Boat Lift, over the canal again and the River Weaver, and right at the lights through the new estates of Winnington. Our route out passed several roadworks, none of which particularly inconvenienced us.  Now temporary traffic lights, combined with lots of traffic (and angry drivers!), slowed us and separated us. We finally cleared the congestion by turning off onto Hodge Lane. Then on to a dog-leg crossing of the A49, and a familiar return through Norley to Hatchmere. We sped downhill through Delamere Forest and on to Ashton Hayes. Soon we were on our outward route along the A56. We arrived back at Meadow Lea before 4 o’clock with 46 miles covered and in time for last orders.

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SHa

15th October 2020: Comberbach (mod)

With the ever increasing restrictions on CER members travelling, a small number of moderates and brisk riders gathered in the feeble sun outside the station café in Delamere. As I had not ridden with the group for some time I had already decided on a shortened version of Daves ride to Little Bollington, but as there was only myself and Dave H riding we both decided to head towards Comberbach and the oddly named Spinner and Bergamot. (must find out what that means sometime) We set off along Station Lane and as we turned the corner towards Norley Peter was waiting for us, which made us a threesome. We took the usual route down Norley Lane and through the farm lanes to Acton Bridge,up the hill and over the canal to Little Leigh. Cumberbach is only from here, but not the way we went! It was such a nice pleasant sunny day that we meandered through the lanes enjoying good riding on quiet lanes through Antrobus and the suburbs of Little Budworth. Eventually the speedo was creeping close to 19 miles so we set off for the pub. Dave had rung ahead and we were expected, but as it was warm enough (just) we opted to sit outside. Service was good, we had our temperatures taken and were passed suitable to serve. Food was good and wholesome, but the intermittent cloud meant we didn’t want to lounge around too long. We chose a more direct route back, mainly as I had another 10 miles to do from Delamere. From Acton Bridge we followed the track along the weaver and then up towards Norley. Back up Norley Lane to the crossroads at Hatchmere

Where we parted company. Dave back to the car while Peter and myself set off through the forest to Ashton and the Greenway. 

40 miles for me, 30 or so for Dave, but a memorable day at a leisurely pace in good weather. 

JD

4th April 2019: Comberbach (mod)

Having witnessed a car having been broken into on our previous visit, I decided to give the little free car park across from Delamere station a miss, and pay the six pound fee for the day at the forest centre. At the station cafe we enjoyed a bit of banter with Ivan and John, before trying to decide the route of the day from a moderate riders' menu. We were pleased to have a new guest rider joining us, Malcolm Emsley. It was good to see Steve Haywood back from an Italian holiday.  I had envisaged heading for The Wizard at Alderley Edge, and had checked the menu and telephone number. However, the weather forecasts over the last twelve hours indicated bad weather arriving earlier than originally estimated. Steve Haywood can always be relied upon to provide a route, and duly suggested Chelford or Goostrey as possible destinations. Normally, I am always happy to follow Steve, often on great routes, and to pubs not previously sampled.  Notwithstanding, we have had some very wet afternoons returning from The Swan with Two Nicks in recent memory, so I wasn't too keen to reprise the role of a drowned rat for two hours or more with such a dire afternoon forecast. My “Plan B” was a more circular route, with a short, direct return if the Heavens opened. I am not sure that the decision was unanimous, but the troops, in their usual easy going manner, gave their consent. I suspect that Steve Tan would have preferred a longer route, because he is commendably so positive, and even if his glass had been half full only because of the rainwater in it, at the end of the day he would still have been soaking happy! So it was, that Malcolm, George, Steve T, Steve H and myself set off for a vague destination by an unresolved route, that would be amended at a whim (more favourably viewed as 'intuitively') by a leader with a wrecked paper map and no GPS.

Our route took us down to the River Weaver by cycling 'the back way' past Norley Hall, into Crowton, down  Ainsworth Lane and past Mick the Coalman's house. We then headed alongside the river to Dutton Lock. I thought that this route would be a novelty to Malcolm, but it turned out to be familiar to him! We were soon heading through Little Leigh and Great Budworth. As we passed  Pick Mere on our right, I realised that we could be soon en route to Steve's original destination suggestions. When we set out, The Ring o'Bells at Daresbury had been my suggested lunch stop, but now I felt that the Spinner and Bergamot at Comberbach would keep the wind behind us and provide an even more expedient return to Delamere. After a brief consultation, we stuck to Plan B. We turned north-west up the quiet Frog Lane, turned west to Moss End and then north up into Arley Park. I well remember being helped at the equestrian centre down here after an accident  caused by my looking too long at four birds in a field whilst travelling fast! The rain was starting as we exited Arley by Arley Road, then turned left opposite Garland Hall, riding south past The Pole, an impressive c.1840 Grade 2 listed building, which was for sale. When we arrived at the C18th. Spinner and Bergamot we had managed twenty-two miles, and had largely beat the rain to lunch. Steve T. was, nevertheless, having a fit of the shivers, no doubt having a lower amount of body fat than the average person's little finger was a contributory factor. Over lunch, we learnt that Malcolm was originally from Denton, but had spent some time in the Isle of Wight. He now lived in Winsford and was recovering from a serious back problem by getting out on his bike for as many days as possible. The food was very good and the service friendly, but the pub gutters were overflowing with rainwater, as the predicted heavy rain properly arrived.

Our return was a brisk, wind assisted flight on water covered lanes by the shortest possible route: Cogshall Lane, Ash Tree Lane, Willow Green Lane, climbing to Acton Bridge, tearing along to Crowton, and then whacking up Marsh Lane to the last grind at Norley Bank. The rain stopped as we reached Delamere for a final coffee. Barely 32 miles covered, but another enjoyable day.  I reflected on how we manage to consistently agree on a decent route within minutes, despite not knowing who is going to turn up and initially having differing suggestions, or none at all. We must write a paper for Theresa: “Flexible, Collective Decision Making, subject to frictionless review, resulting in the best outcome for all”. The trouble is, that it is the qualities of those who you choose to travel with that determines a successful journey. We have CER members, she has the ERG and DUP!                                                                                                                                     
DH

See route map and/or gpx file download