15th July 2021: Coton (mod)

As usual, there was a good turn out at Cleopatra’s. It was especially good to see Ken who’s making a good recovery – very good if his Strava posts are anything to go by! The mods today were Dave H, Steves Hu and T, Mike D and Alan, with Jim and Dave M accompanying us for the first few miles. Our destination was the Dog and Bull at Coton, somewhere that we haven’t been to since May 2018 when the ride had been led by Steve H, so a visit was well overdue.

The route out took us east to Tilston, Duckington and Cholmondeley before turning in a more southerly direction for Bickley and Marbury with the wind behind us. Jim and Dave M had left us when we reached Stretton Hall.

The sky was overcast, but it was still quite warm as we made our way into Whitchurch. At this point, Steve Hu left us, as he had to go home to take delivery of a new Colnago bike and to berate his builder about some ‘snagging’ issues with his new house. We threaded our way through Whitchurch and found the road out to Alkington without any difficulty. From there we followed the quiet lanes through Hollinwood to Coton, arriving at the pub soon after 1 o’clock with 27 miles completed.

Although the pub was quiet, there seemed to be only one member of staff who apologized in advance that he might take a while to get to us. In the event, the service was quick and, as we sat outside enjoying the food and drink, the clouds dispersed and we were bathed in warm sunshine.

Suitably refreshed, we made our way back through Whixhall, Whitewell, Tallarn Green and Worthenbury. The countryside was looking its best and the lanes were mostly quiet, although the silage cut was in full swing and we came across a few large tractors with even larger trailers full of grass cuttings. Happily, there were no incidents or difficulties with them.

On reaching Shocklack, Alan and Steve T had pulled ahead of the others, but the usual sprint to Farndon didn’t materialize, possibly due to the fairly stiff north westerly wind blowing down the road and the soporific effect of the warm sunshine.

We reached Cleopatra’s about 4 pm, having completed 47 miles and, surprisingly climbed 1850 feet. Thanks are due to Steve H for the route and to my companions for their company.

See route map and/or gpx file download

ST

12th July 2018: Coton (mod)

A good number of Easy Riders gathered at Cleopatra’s in Holt. The moderates were out in force: David M, Clive, Neil, Dave H, Dave P, Mike G, Andy B, George, Trevor and myself. The start of the day questioned whether the long hot dry spell was over: there was a very light drizzle on my ride to Holt, and Andy told us it had rained steadily in Mold the previous night. However we set off in dry and improving conditions with the Dog and Bull in Coton as our destination.

We crossed the bridge into Farndon, noting that it is due to be closed to traffic for 14 weeks from 16^th July, and for some days in that period also to cyclists and pedestrians.  Then we headed to Stretton (where David M left us), Tilston and the Cholmondley Estate, before turning south through Bickley and Marbury, and then joining cycle route 45.  Here the more observant riders admired the Mercian Way statue. We entered Whitchurch on Black Park Road, which is closed to vehicles until 02/19 a sign said, possibly due to badgers undermining the carriageway, though we could squeeze through the barrier fencing.  From Whitchurch we took the road to Alkington, then through Hollingwood to arrive at our destination just before 1 o’clock, with 26 miles completed.

Photos by Mike G

We sat outside seeking shade from the sun at a number of wobbly tables, but the food and drink were fine as usual: we had last been here in May. Clive left early to make his own way back for an afternoon appointment, while the rest of us gathered for a photo.

Our return led us north and westwards to Tallarn Green where a scarecrow festival was obviously underway. We dropped down to Sarn Bridge and turned left to avoid the bank, and made our way on a lovely quiet lane into Worthenbury.  Then it was the usual route back, with half the party pushing on ahead in the traditional(?) race to the finish, this being at Lewis’ café.  We sat on the terrace, enjoying coffee, cakes and the afternoon sunshine, when Ivan stopped on his way home after completing the brisk riders’ route.

Our total distance was 48 miles, covering many lovely gentle lanes in improving weather.  The rain did eventually come, but later that night.

See route map and/or gpx file download

SH

24th May 2018: Coton (mod)

Another fine day attracted a good turnout for both brisk and mod groups; Dave and Liz P were also out, but doing their own route (see below for more info). The mods were Keith, Dave H, David M, Andy B, George and myself, and our destination was the Dog and Bull at Coton (or as Google calls it the “Bull and Dog”).

Our route out involved a big swing eastwards, passing by Tilston, Cholmondley and Marbury, weaving along a variety of quiet little lanes.  We approached Whitchurch from the east on a “closed road”, squeezing past concrete blocks and wire fencing to enter the town.  Then straight through to Alkington and Hollinwood, to arrive at the pub just before 1pm, with 26 miles completed.

The Dog and Bull is a favourite and we were supplied with good substantial food and drink. We discussed audax and end to end rides.  We then debated why CER is not a full member of Chester and North Wales CTC, despite general approval of the new C&NW CTC shirt, which yours truly happened to be modelling.

Photo by Steve H

The return route was through Whixall and Whitewell, then avoiding Sarn Bank to enter Worthenbury and the usually competitively fast return through Shocklach.  David M broke away somewhere along the way to head direct for home.  The remaining five ended the ride at Lewis’ in Farndon enjoying coffee and cakes, where we discovered that the old Dee Bridge connecting Holt and Farndon was going to be closed to vehicles from mid-July for about 14 weeks, and closed to bikes and pedestrians also for part of the time – take note for future rides!  

Our total distance was 47 miles: a great moderate day out, with little wind, warm sunny spells, good food and good company.

(Note from Dave P: He and Liz rode out to the Plassey: a gentle ride of 24 miles.  They will be doing similar rides for the next few meets while they build up their fitness, and anyone who wishes to join them is welcome.)

See route map and/or gpx file download

SH