15th November 2018: Marston (mod)

This was our second start from the Delamere Visitor Centre rather than the Station Café. Steve T tells us that the Station Café refurbishment will be finished this weekend, so next time we depart from Delamere we can try it out and maybe decide which of these two adjacent starts is best. Dave H was present collecting Xmas meal choices and feeling much better but not riding today.  This left half a dozen moderate riders for a route to the Salt Barge at Marston: George, Keith, Steve T, Bob, Neil and myself.

Our route out was across Acton Bridge and then heading north to cross and re-cross the A49 and pass through Higher Whitley, Antrobus and Pickmere before arriving at our destination. The Salt Barge is a favourite and we were not disappointed with a friendly welcome, decent food and drinks. While last week the mod’s lunchtime discussion had centred on engineering in the energy industry, today we brought our collective expertise to bear upon trust law and tax. If this serious trend continues what might we cover next week!

Our return took us through Ashton’s and Neuman’s Flashes, meeting a lot of vehicle traffic on these footpaths and cycle tracks. We passed Marbury Park to reach Comberbach and Little Leigh, returning through Norley to arrive back at Delamere.

An uneventful ride after last week’s punctures, but through lovely November weather: dry, often sunny, mild and with little wind.  We covered a little over 35 miles, which didn’t really justify the cakes that tempted some of us back in the café.

See route map and/or gpx file download

SH

10th November 2016: Marston (mod)

Seven of us turned up at Manley Mere: Andy, Clive, George, Dave H, Dave P, myself and Bryan who wouldn’t be joining us on the ride. This may well be our last meet at the Windsurfing Centre following the Great Café Conspiracy or the Café Improvement Plan – take your pick – and the debate over last month’s decisions rumbled on, complete with jokes about refusing to accept a democratic decision a la Brexit.

In the absence of any alternatives, I suggested a ride to the Salt Barge at Marston (or Wincham if you prefer). We had mostly cycled to the meet in the rain and were doubtful whether it would stop, but surprisingly we had a fine and dry morning. We cycled up towards New Pale, stopping on Manley Common to note an un-visited café for us – Stonehouse Farm (www.stonehousefarmbandb.co.uk) – one to investigate on a future ride. From there we had planned to travel through Gt Budworth, but Clive introduced a useful by-pass route for this allegedly cycle-unfriendly village, and in so doing we passed an interesting hostelry, The Cock at Budworth, a possibility for a winter ride.

We reached the Salt Barge in good time and enjoyed tasty good value meals, and beer for those indulging.  The conversation mostly centred on the big news of the week, Donald Trump becoming US President-Elect.  I didn’t detect any wholehearted enthusiasm, and our mood was further depressed by the sight of heavy rain outside the window.  Despite the waitress encouraging us to stay for puddings until the rain passed, we stoically strode out into the downpour and saddled up.

There were a few dry spells on our ride back, but not many. With lights flashing we passed through Marbury Park and then a roughly parallel route to our way out. At one point as we headed towards a large, very dark and ominous cloud, I was reminded of the scene in A Perfect Storm, when the Andrea Gail is sailing directly into the storm’s eye and disaster.  We had a luckier outcome, though we had to negotiate some heavily flooded roads.  

After Acton Bridge we detoured to look at Dave H’s perfect place to live – the tiny hamlet of Onston. From there it wasn’t far back to Manley Mere for final refreshments, except for Andy who obviously had plenty of energy spare as he peddled on towards Mold. Despite the weather, it had been a good ride with 41 miles covered.

Finally, maybe a warning to others.  When I came out of the Centre I found that my bike had been blown over in the cycle racks, the front wheel had bent and the rim was deformed in the two places where it had been anchored.  I’m not sure whether it was just bad luck or the design of the cycle racks, but it was a rather sour end to an otherwise good day. 

Photo by SH

Thanks to Dave H for driving me back. 

SH

21st January 2016: Marston (mod)

A cold coming we had of it, gathering at Manley Mere and complaining of the temperature. But at least it was dry, though with heavy rain forecast from 14:00. At first there were nine of us, though Dave M had only driven out for a coffee. John was after a 100km ride to meet his target, so he set off on his own. That left 7: myself, Chris, Mike McC, Steve T, Liz & Dave Pipe and Sue, a prospective member.  

I suggested the Salt Barge Inn at Marston, which met with general approval, but we’d gone less than a mile when Liz & Dave decided to do their own thing, perhaps put off by the prospect of a wet return. So then there were 5. We set out up the hills over New Pale, and at the top Sue peeled off to complete her own loop. And then there were 4. We sped down through Kingsley and Acton Bridge, where we crossed the Weaver, then through Little Leigh, Comberbach and Great Budworth. Swinging south through Pickmere, we arrived at the Salt Barge with 21 miles covered in reasonable conditions.

We were given a warm welcome and were enjoying the Tatton Ale while deciding what to eat.  Food was arriving at the next table – a massive burger and a whale sized cod and chips. Intimidated by the size of the portions, we each decided to go for the “smaller meals for smaller appetites”, only to realise when our own food arrived that that is exactly what our neighbours had been eating.  Very well fed, we left the pub just in time for the rain to start and the temperature to lift.

Our return led us through a splashy Marbury Park, and onward past the Anderton Boat Lift through conditions did not encourage us to stop. Through Winnington on streaming roads and onwards towards Weaverham, where Steve T left us to head home. So then there were 3. Then on to Sandiway, Cuddington and Norley, through Delamere Forest and into Ashton. Here I headed off to Kelsall. Then there were 2: Mike & Chris heading off to find the end of the Greenway and so to their homes.  

Overall a good morning’s ride, a fine lunch and rather wet in the afternoon, not bad for January.  The route out from and back to Manley Mere was just under 40 miles, so not a bad distance either for the time of year.

SH

5th November 2015: Marston

The weather forecast was for heavy rain for the afternoon, so I was surprised to see a small crowd at Rose Farm.  It soon became clear that only three of those present were riding out today. The others were “just out for coffee” - like we really believed it!  So Bryan, Dave P and myself set off in the dry bound for the Salt Barge pub at Marston.
I’d been out on Tuesday with Ivan and Tom and we had arrived at the Salt Barge too early, so I fancied a return ride to sample its fare.  We weaved out through Cotebrook via an unconventional route to access Whitegate Way all the way into Winsford.  Out via Wharton, we were riding the main roads a bit before sliding through Bostock Green bound for Davenham.  Out past Davenham Church all was going well until Dave P had a puncture.  By this time it was clear that we were going to arrive 30 minutes behind schedule at the Salt Barge; the schedule being to be in the pub before the rain started. So, on the fly, I re-route to Lostock Green.
As we hit the A556 dual carriage crossing, Bryan spent a few greasy minutes sorting out his chain, cassette and front chain ring. Off across the dual carriage we slide through Lostock Graham noticing the first signs of its industrial heritage i.e. brine fields.  At the lights I shoot off down the hill, being just a couple of miles from the first pint, that is, until Dave P on his fixie, pedals furiously past me to say Bryan has another transmission malfunction.  Back up the hill, Bryan demonstrates a masterclass in removing the chain split link to re-thread the chain through the rear hanger.  The rear hanger looks decidedly dodgy, so Bryan elects to minimise gear changes from henceforth.
We arrive at the Salt Barge just as the rain starts around 13:00. The pub is very quiet, and soon three pints of Tatton Brewery’s “Yeti” ale are pulled in double quick time.  Mein Hostess takes our orders, and soon we are tucking into wholesome fare.  Having put the world to rights and re-sampled the Yeti, we set off on a hill-avoiding modified return track.  We take the track through Marbury Park, which is quite delightful in the late autumn rain.  Cogshall Lane brings into Little Leigh.  At Acton Bridge, it’s up through Weaverham to Gorstage.  Here disaster strikes once again for Bryan, as the rear hanger breaks away completely and Bryan comes to an abrupt halt.  Quick as a flash, there is another masterclass from Bryan in converting a 30 geared bike into a free-wheeling fixie! So delayed again, we start off even more gingerly through Sandiway.  Bryan’s car is at Rose Farm, but he quickly realises that gradient and time is against him to retrieve it, so we progress at a leisurely pace along the main road to Old Kelsall Hill road.  A diversion to Tarvin takes us back to town via Waverton and Pearl Lane.
By this time its proper dark, but we are all back into Chester safely.  So we end up with three bikes returning; one original fixie, one free-wheeling fixie and 22 speed compact. Oh, I need to mention that the rain was not torrential, and only lasted a couple of hours.  Mindful of the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, and with due apologies to Shakespeare lovers, those in the warm and dry at home this Bonfire’s Night day might like to enjoy the following verse which has been freely adapted from Henry V’s rousing battlefield speech.  I’m sure Bryan felt like it was a battle today!

(Cue rousing music)
We few, we happy few, we band of riders
For he today that gets his boots wet with me
Shall be my co-rider; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall improve his fitness level;
And CER riders then at home in the warm and dry
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here
And hold their saddles cheap while any speaks
That rode out with Bryan, Dave P and Clive
To Marston upon that Bonfire Night’s day.

CA

9th April 2015: Marston (mod)

It was a beautiful spring morning as I rode out to this week’s venue at the Windsurfing Centre and I anticipated a large turnout. I wasn’t surprised to find that there were 15 of us and for the first time this year we were able to sit out in the sunshine with our teas and coffees. I had come armed with a route which would take us to out to the far side of Northwich so was able to sit and enjoy my cuppa and the conversation while the brisk riders studied their maps.

We all set out together and made the short, sharp climb up to Sugar Lane. At this point the brisk group started to disappear off into the distance so time for a quick roll call. There were 10 of us left, these being Andy, Brian Mac, Bryan, Dave H, George, Keith, Liz D, Mike, Steve & Trevor. At the end of the lane we turned right heading down Dark Ark Lane before turning left for the run through Delamere Forest. From here it was straight across the junction at Hatchmere then right towards Norley and left towards Acton Bridge. Too busy talking, I missed the turning down Onston Lane but a short bit of back tracking got us back on course.

Photographs by Brian MacDonald

As we left Acton Bridge the brisk group who had reached the same junction as us but via a different route cheered us on. We dropped down to the A49 and crossed the River Weaver on the Bartington swing bridge. Then it was back on to the country lanes and up the steep incline to Little Leigh. We crossed the main road, cycled on to Comberbach and turned right down towards Great Budworth. When we reached the A559 we were only 10 minutes ride from our lunch destination but it was too early for lunch. So we crossed over to Great Budworth and did a loop through Bate Heath, Pickmere and Wincham before heading back towards Marston and The Salt Barge. Opened in 1861, the Salt Barge sits opposite the old Lion Salt Works (soon to be opened as a tourist attraction) and adjacent to the Trent & Mersey canal. It took a while for our food to arrive (to be fair there were 10 of us) but the wait was worth it and we all tucked in to an enjoyable meal. 

Marbury Country Park

After lunch we turned towards Northwich but after a few hundred yards turned into Marbury Park. You can’t go anywhere in Northwich without being reminded of its salt mining history. (‘Wich’ is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning saltworks or salt-mining town and salt has been mined in the area since Roman times.) Marbury Park is no exception. It is now a country park, criss-crossed with paths over what was once a huge brine field. We circled around the southern end of the park and onto the old Warrington Road, which cuts through the middle of the park and is now traffic-free, before emerging onto Marbury Road and heading back towards Comberbach.

A short stint back along the morning’s route out then we were heading along Senna Lane towards Higher Whitley passing the picturesque village pond with Willow Bank Farm behind it. We crossed the A49, passing Grimsditch Hall and reached Frodsham via Dutton, Aston and Sutton Weaver. We followed the main road through Frodsham and turned left up Tarvin Road followed by the steady drag up ridgeway. We were given a brief respite on the way up when we had to stop while some tree fellers dropped a branch onto the road. Then it was back onto Sugar Lane and downhill back to Manley Mere having covered 45 miles since leaving there that morning.

TC

5th March 2015: Marston (brisk)

The ride out from home to Rose Farm was with Tom and it was a pleasant meander on a chilly morning.

Arriving at the cafe there was already a good turn out and by 10:15 too many riders for one group so a hasty brisk ride was considered and I was voted to lead to the Salt Barge at Marston.  Clive, Tom, John, Mike G and Ivan set off heading into Tarporley taking the left turn up Forest Road and round Eaton Golf course. Within the Brisk group a mentality of racing against Strava times is emerging and Clive came roaring past me followed by Tom at +27mph to record the Sappling Lane descent, quick push on the pedals to catch up and hope it does not go on like this all day!!!

Round Oulton Park (not racing now) to Little Budworth towards Whitegate where we get excited again for the Cinder Hill dash. Passing through Whitegate and heading for Weaver taking the sharp Left / Right turn we ride along Little Dales lane, turning left at the T junction Tom collides with Clive but thankfully no scratches on his bike or himself.  Along Wallescote Road passing Winnington and the Northwich town centre we head out to Wincham and Marston.

Photographs by Ivan Davenport

We arrive at the Salt Barge inn at 11:35 and a little too early for lunch so continue doing a loop to Higher Marston, Bate Heath and back to the pub for 12:10 and it is getting busy!!  Service was very good along with a selection of cask ales and a reasonable menu. 

Ready for the off, we go along the loop again up and down higher Marston and towards Great Budworth passing the recent venue of the George and Dragon.  Continuing with the usual route home from Budworth we choose to ride along the Weaver. The surface was hard and dry and a pleasure as it has been a few years since last ridden by me.  We took the route after passing Kingsley heading for Manley with the last two assaults of hills to climb for the day.

A coffee at Meadow Lane cafe was needed and the final Strava dash along Station lane from the Methodist chapel to the Greenway.  A good record of 25mph and a 60th placing!!!  All in all a reasonable 62 miles to and from Chester but another 20+ for Mike who had parked up at Northop and ridden to Rose farm for the additional mileage.

ID