2nd July 2026: Ellesmere

 A Baker’s Dozen CER riders gathered at Maggies on a warm, sunny, but blustery day. Ken and Dave Matthews were just there for coffee. Kevin was back having finished a stint of work – good to see you back! Neil was going to lead a posse of briskers towards Chester so that he’d have the wind behind him on the way back, just as you’d expect from ‘the whisperer’.

I’d rooted around in the CER archives for a ride down to Ellesmere on the basis that a north-south ride would expose us only to side winds from the west, although it turned out that the wind had a northerly element to it which would not help us on our return journey.

The ride came from 2020 and had been devised and led by Steve Haywood who, sadly, had to stop cycling a while back due to illness. Steve specialised in finding delightful little country lanes, so it was no surprise that we headed out of Holt and down tiny lanes to the west of the River Dee. These are often flooded or muddy if it’s wet, but today they were dry and well surfaced.

After about five miles we joined the B-road and then the A525 and zoomed down into Bangor-on-Dee. The road over the old stone bridge was closed, with big concrete blocks barring traffic. Of course, we were able to wiggle our way through on the bikes! But lo! On the other side of the bridge, the Royal Oak pub was closed and boarded up. That’s another of our lunch stops down the drain.

Pressing on through Bangor, we toiled up Millbrook Lane and headed towards Duddleston Heath, crossing the A539 between Overton and Penley. A couple of miles further on we reached Ellesmere and the Boat House café.

We were soon seated and various food and drinks were ordered, including fish and chips, sausage rolls and a pizza. This led to discussions about pizza toppings and the choice of decaffeinated tea. According to Fiona, Yorkshire Tea is the best decaf and who am I to say otherwise!

Suitably fed and watered (or even over-fed, maybe!) we headed on the main road towards town, but took the first left turn up the side of St Mary’s church. The road is called ‘Church Hill’ and what a hill it is! Much grumbling from the peloton about this as we headed over the Llangollen Canal towards Lee. There, we turned left down a small lane which runs alongside White Mere. Chaos ensued as a stream of traffic came towards us, causing cars going our way to have to pull to the side to let them through. It turned out that the main road had been closed and this little lane was the diversion. The loop we had done was just that – a loop for the sake of adding a mile or two. Dave H complained, but he’s the ‘loop master’ so he should know better!

Safely across the A528 the traffic disappeared and we had the lane to ourselves as we cycled past Colemere to Lyneal. The lane from there to Welshampton was not great, with a rough surface and lots of sand and gravel making life a bit difficult. The next few miles were similarly rough and gravelly, prompting complaints (mostly) from Fiona.I don’t remember them being this bad when we rode them six years ago. It was along here that we stopped for the photo – thanks Elwyn.

Reaching metalled surfaces, but roads full of potholes and bad repairs, at Worthenbury, we quickly polished off the remaining few miles and arrived back at Holt with 41 miles covered. The wind had caused fewer problems that anticipated and the route got the thumbs up, at least for the run down to Ellesmere.

Another good day out with great company and fine weather, with temperatures in the low twenties, rather than the scorcher we had last week. Thanks should go to Steve H for the route.

ST

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4th June 2026: Ellesmere

 The weather forecast wasn’t good, Chirk is a long way, and it was my wedding anniversary – 3 good reasons not to bother with the ride from Chirk.  But bother I did and, with my bike loaded in the back of the car, I headed down to Chirk hoping that the rain wasn’t going to be too bad.

I was just entering the Castle Bistro a little after 10am, when Mike D was arriving on his bike from Chirk station after taking the train from Chester.  We ordered our coffees and sat down for a chat while we waited for other riders to arrive.

By 10:20, we came to the realisation that it was probably just going to be the two of us, and so it turned out.  Just before I had left home, I had fortuitously printed a paper map for the area east of Chirk as that was where the weather forecast had shown that it might be driest.  We discussed options and decided, in case the heavens opened, not to venture too far and so set out on a route towards Ellesmere.  I hadn’t thought that I would be leading a ride quite so early in my time with the club (or write my first blog as this was just my 4^th ride) but, as I had the map, it made sense for me to lead the way.  No SatNav, just good ‘old school’ map reading.

As my bike was electric and Mike’s wasn’t, I decided to switch off the battery so as not to set an unreasonable pace.  Shortly after we left Chirk, I was beginning to regret this as we had a vicious climb up from the River Ceiriog.  The road had dried a bit since the last shower but, even so, I had the occasional slips of the rear wheel on the steep inclines as I needed to get out of the saddle even in my lowest gear.  We both paused for a breather on the ascent when Mike realised that he had lost his water bottle, probably on the bumpy descent down to the river before we started the climb on the other side.  No way were we going back down to look for it and so we continued onwards and upwards. 

The next few miles were characterized by mud, cow muck (definitely a ride requiring mudguards), loose gravel, tree debris and, of course, plenty of dangerous pot holes.  The rain had started but it was light and intermittent and with no need to shelter to avoid getting soaked.  We passed through Dudleston and then around the south of Dudleston Heath.

As we entered Ellesmere, we made our way through resurfacing works that had closed the road to traffic and headed to the Boat House pub by the mere for lunch.  Mike reported that the sausage rolls had been good previously and that’s what we both had with some salad.   After lunch, we headed out towards Tetchill with more climbing on the agenda.  So soon after setting off again, legs were lethargic and we probably should have had a shorter break rather than chatting for so long over lunch.  The sun decided to make an appearance, enough for Mike to shed one of his layers.  We continued back to Chirk via Welsh Frankton, Hindford, around the south of Gobowen and up to Weston Rhyl before returning to our start point.

We arrived back early in Chirk at 2.15pm after just 40km (25 miles) but a decent 430m (1,410 ft) of ascent.  We ordered further hot drinks in the café, feeling quite smug that we had avoided any significant rain on the bikes whilst, through the window, heavy rain decided to make its presence felt.  We chatted on for over an hour, nothing about cycling but just about everything else including a new word for me, “dyscalculia” (the numerical equivalent of dyslexia) before we headed our separate ways back home to Chester.

Good company, very quiet country lanes and, although short, a challenging but rewarding cycle – 3 good reasons why I was pleased that I had made my way to Chirk that morning.

Anthony M

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7th May 2026 : Ellesmere ( Mod)

I was rocking along in the old Berlingo on the way to Holt when I ran into yet another road closure, this time at Saighton. When I eventually arrived at Holt, Maggie’s staff were very busy serving our riders. It was good to see that Jim had made it but he wasn’t out for the day. Trevor, Keith, George and me appeared to constitute the moderate group for the day, but Dave Pipe popped up to join us late doors. I had an intricate, quiet route planned to the Boathouse at Ellesmere. Fiona was in my face about not voting Green in the elections that day if I was keen on petrol cars. On checking their policies today, she has a point, but they are unlikely to impose their aims until I’m pushing up daisies.

So, we set out for Tilston via Wetreins, losing Dave Pipe on the way. He explained to George that he was still feeling the effects of a longish Tuesday tandem ride, also his bike’s battery was not fully charged. Through Farndon two of our group had galloped ahead to the B5130, so I think he felt that it was a pace he couldn’t sustain. I could have explained that once we settled in, the pace would be very moderate with me leading! I’ve been in touch with Dave since, and he had enjoyed a relaxed solo tootle down the lanes, so no harm done. 

It was another of those days when it was hard to know what to wear; we were into a cool wind starting out, but the afternoon was likely to be warm. Freezing fingered Krazy Keith was lusting after my woolly Widnes market gloves that are so unfashionable as to be street cool . We were soon flowing down the lacey lanes from Tilston to Threapwood and beyond. It was reassuring to have Trevor’s caravanner’s navigating nouse together with his Garmin Edge interstellar on-board computer that can even measure his glucose level and guide him to the nearest cake shop if it needs a lift. My own prosaic paper navigation system needed swopping at Hamner as I moved to my Shrewsbury area map. I had used Bryan Wade- like highlighter markings made the night before to indicate the intended route: pink outward, yellow for the return. Keith was keeping us entertained with his usual unprintable jesting, courtesy of our immense tolerance. 

We passed the old railway engine and the attractive station house just before the Llangollen Canal at Bettisfield. We then turned up Knowles Lane, and left along Rowe Lane to take a peaceful, deserted dog-leg in a sea of green growth and flowering fecundity. We emerged at Balmer Heath alongside the canal. It was here that I once lost Mike the Voice and Dave Pipe who then took the wrong turning, before they eventually joined us at The Mere for lunch. This time we managed to stay together and find all the correct turns through the lush little lanes around Lyneal and Colemere in the direction of Spunhill before rolling up at The Boathouse. The food was fine, and the view across the sun- spangled water was perfect. 

While we waited for lunch, I stupidly asked George how the proportional representation was going to work after the Welsh Senedd elections. If I remember rightly, George was involved with the setting up of the Welsh Assembly back in the late nineties. George’s explanation would have been too much for Laura Kuenssberg to take in never mind our puny brains. The lesson is; if you need time to eat don’t ask a mate about his Mastermind specialist subject. 

After lunch we took the quiet lane, left past the cemetery, on our trundle up toward Penley. We passed Woodland Park Lodges site which is hidden in Lion Lane Wood, and which I can recommend having spent a few days there with my wife and daughter not long ago. The ride back was direct through Holly Bush, Worthenbury, Shocklach and Crewe-by-Farndon. 

It was a brisk return by mod. standards, warmer and shorter than the outward ride, topped off by a wind assisted semi- sprint on the usual four or five mile stretch to Farndon led by Keith. About forty three miles covered, and probably sixty by Trevor and Keith. Great weather and great company.

DH 

24th July 2025: Ellesmere

 The moderate group at Holt were Steve Tan, Keith, Ray, George, Trevor and me. Jim and Dave Matthews had ridden out for coffee, but Dave wasn’t out for the day and Jim was only with us until Stretton. The staff were friendly and efficient at Maggies as usual. Steve and I had independently thought that Ellesmere would be an attractive destination, and the troops agreed. From Tilston we wound our way down to Cuddington Green through Threapwood and Tallarn Green before crossing the Wrexham to Whitchurch road at Three Fingers. The temperature was ideal and we wafted along at a very reasonable rate. The Hanmer Arms appeared to be back in business as we rode down to the Mere and then slogged up to Arowry and past Bettisfield Park.  At Bettisfield itself there was the impressive church and the pretty ex- station house complete with a restored railway engine on the disused line. After crossing the Llangollen Canal, I intended to go off-piste on a narrow lane to Hampton Bank, where I managed to lose Dave Pipe and Mike Dodd not many moons ago. It was reassuring to have Trevor on board for my fiddlier navigation manoeuvres. At Colemere my concern to not head for Welshampton had me missing a right turn in this lacework of little lanes, but we were soon able to correct this. The short distance to Spunhill includes a steep little climb past sand and gravel pits. At the Boathouse it was quite busy but very pleasant on the edge of The Mere. As it had become warm the cool inside of the restaurant was preferred, where we had a large table in an airy space. It was relaxing to sit back and slake our thirsts with cool drinks as our food orders were taken. The young staff were excellent and the food bang-on. I was given a moral dilemma by spotting that one of the three small cod and chip portions was significantly larger than the others; as they were being served next to me, and Ray wasn’t concentrating, I could have claimed the big one without anyone realising.  Oh! The tortured, hard decisions of a Guardian reader! What would Big Ray have done in my position?  

Our return route was pretty direct, starting out of Ellesmere by turning left past the cemetery up the quiet lane and heading for Penley, Holly Bush and Worthenbury. Big Ray gave us a steady lead- out for the dash to Farndon as he is an excellent windbreak. Keith eventually accelerated off, showing little effect from our Ribble valley recce the day before. Steve Tan followed, displaying his improved condition after Broad Green hospital had recently tinkered with his heart. I belatedly followed, but with too big a gap to catch up; I share Jonas’ pain. We had covered forty enjoyable miles together.  I much appreciated the company and support.

DH

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9th May 2024: Ellesmere (mod)

Because I don’t wish to receive a contribution to petrol costs when driving to a start venue with Steve on Thursdays, he buys the coffees. But, where had he disappeared to? I wasn’t sure which  type of coffee he preferred. I guessed that he would have liked a cup of Camp Coffee, the one with a kilted Gordon Highlander on the label. It would, perhaps, have reminded him of his Yorkshire tyke childhood, but Maggie’s didn’t stock it, so I chose an Americano for him in his absence. It was probably cold when he turned up with Steve Hughes. Evidently, as highly tuned athletes they had require a twenty-minute warm up ride before the main event! I know, I ask you! You would think that they had been approaching Stage 8 of the Giro d’Italia.  

The non-athletic group consisted of Dave Pipe, Large Ray, George, Mike Dodd and myself. It was good to have George back who had been doing a helluva lot of walking recently including from Bologna to Florence. It was a beautiful warm day, so I rang The Boathouse at Ellesmere to reserve a table for lunch beside the edge of The Mere. I regretted that Dave didn’t cross the start line at Rose Farm last week but this time it took one mile before he became detached, with Mike keeping him company. I rode back near Crewe-by-Farndon fearing an accident or a mechanical, but it turned out that I had just taken off with a hint of briskness and they didn’t know where we had headed to. No harm done. Our route out was via Farndon, Tilston, Chorlton and Lower Wyche, crossing the A525 at Eglwys Cross. In the distant past we have used sticks to clear our mudguards of thick mud here, but this welcome hot and dry weather meant that the notoriously messy lanes to follow shouldn’t have been a problem. Well! The lanes were quiet, and I tried a route past Llyn Bedydd just to explore, but soil and potholes meant that I won’t be using it again. From Bettisfield we cut across to Hampton Bank on the Llangollen Canal, but before long realised that George, Ray and myself were on our own. We sorted things out on our mobiles, but unfortunately Mike and Dave missed the more attractive route via Lyneal, Colemere, and Spunhill, although we arrived nearly together at The Boathouse. It was so sunny, that we changed our table to one in the shade on the veranda. The service was friendly and efficient, the food was very good, and the setting idyllic. Dave didn’t fancy German beers, and his favoured Shropshire brew, ‘Black Frog’ or something, was only available in a bottle, and at a 2024 price (Dave still thinks in 1960’s prices when he was a young man). Nevertheless, after all the bad weather we have tolerated this winter, it was all exceptionally enjoyable in this company.  It was very tempting to just stay there drinking to slumber in the warmth with the gentle lapping of water nearby.  

Photo by DH

On unlocking our bikes we met about six male and female riders from the Wirral. I’m not sure if they were couples, a friendship group or swingers, but they were very pleasant and intending to stay overnight in Shrewsbury.  

The route back was direct, heading up left from just past the cemetery, crossing the course of the old railway before heading for Penley. At Penley we could just see the charred hulk of the Dymock Arms, set on fire in 2010. Part of the pub dates to around 1550, and the building has been Grade 2 listed since 1962.  Worthenbury was the next target, and then up to Shocklack and Farndon. Inexplicably, we managed to lose Dave and Mike again, but again having our mobiles on sorted things out, as the route was now obvious and familiar. I met Steve Tan at the car park in Holt, as Big Ray’s appearance had heralded our arrival.  Steve had been waiting some time, so I turned down Mike’s invitation to join him and Dave at Maggie’s for a late coffee. My leading had obviously been as unaware as Notts Forest’s defence, for which I apologise. I suspect that the situation was compounded by Dave deliberately not using his electric motor in order to strengthen his legs. Anyway, the inquest will probably be settled over coffee next week, but I think that we all had an enjoyable ride in great weather. I guess that we covered about forty-three miles.

DH 

29th July 2021: Marbury (mod ride 1)

We met at Meadow Lea café on a day sandwiched between a Wednesday of downpours and a Friday of forecast steady rain.  Miraculously, this Thursday’s forecast was dry, cloudy with sunny spells but with a stiff westerly wind.  That dictated a north-south route, and I’d worked out one to The Swan at Marbury. Many Easy Riders were at Meadow Lea, so a largish group of ten formed the mods.  Jim joined us for the first few miles, and the rest were Roy, Andy B, Alan, Dave H, Dave P, George, Steve T, Peter and myself.

We headed out to Waverton, then alongside the Shropshire Union Canal and into Tattenhall. From there we passed through Carden and into Tilston, and then took the old Roman road towards Malpas, turning left at Simmonds Green to arrive in No Mans Heath. For those interested, the name originates in the 15th century as “Nomonheth”, and refers to common lane outside specific ownership. We crossed the A41 and then the A49 at Bickley, to arrive at our destination just before 1 o’clock.

I’d phoned ahead to The Swan and was told that they were fully booked inside, but that the outside tables were available on a first come, first served basis. In fact, most of the indoor bookings were for a large pre-wedding drinks party, and this group had decided to stand outside in the fine weather.  As we occupied some outdoor tables, we worried initially that if they we ordering food we would have a long wait. However, before long the church bells started to ring and they drifted off to the service.  Naturally our conversation touched on weddings.  The food and drink arrived shortly and were excellent as was the service.  As we prepared to leave at 2pm, Dave H suggested we visit the Church yard which was a pleasant place to sit and look out over a hidden mere.  On reflection, though, we felt that our group would not be a welcome addition to the wedding photos.

Photo by SH

We left taking the lane to Norbury.  This was more like a dried up river bed, covered in gravel and full of deep holes – obviously the scene of a recent flood. We made for Chorley Bank and then down past Cholmondeley Castle to Bickerton. Choosing to avoid the climb to Harthill, we made for Brown Knowl and the road past Bolesworth Castle. We avoided Tattenhall to the south east and headed towards the Ice Cream Farm.  Along the way we said goodbye to some of our group, leaving six to continue, as conversation turned to a café stop.  Dave H recommended the café at Tattenhall Marina which was new to many of us, and which we accessed by a lane alongside the Ice Cream Farm’s overflow car park. It is called The Boathouse and provided us with refreshments including very good scones with jam and cream for the greedy two.  We sat outside overlooking the water, watching the wildlife and discussing the birds swooping through the air after insects.  After some debate over whether they we swifts, swallows or martins, Alan confirmed the latter and pointed out a nest on the side of the café. This is a delightful location, though we were keen to move on as the temperature was dropping.

We left the café by a gate onto Tattenhall Road between the canal and railway bridges. Then we passed through Hargrave and took the twisting lane variously called Old Hall Lane, then Cow Lane and then Martin’s Lane, before joining our outward route in Waverton.  We were soon back at Meadow Lea having covered 48 miles in good weather, and enjoyed refreshments at two establishments well worth revisiting

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SH

22nd April 2021: Ellesmere (mod)

Gorgeous, but chilly start and the venue was Lewis’s cafe. A quick head count revealed 20! This included a new face, to me at least and, it appeared, was a genuine ‘L’Eroica’ cyclist, complete with handlebar moustache (very dapper indeed). With so many, I think we split into 4 groups, with a few going off doing their own thing as usual. I had a backup route to the Boathouse cafe at Ellesmere, which opened on the 15th, so something a little different, especially as I had modified my existing route with a few stunningly smooth new lanes, much to Fiona’s delight- Lol. As usual, it took a while to actually get the groups sorted. It was reminiscent of the school playground and the captains of the day, picking their football teams in turn - Lol, which left me with a right rum lot (just kidding- Lol)

Off we trot (Fiona, Elwyn, Steve T, Andy, Mike & yours truly, so only 2 women in the group- Lol). We set off at a nice steady pace, although it felt a bit tough at times, on the front. There was a light headwind, virtually all the way to the Boathouse. The route out inevitably meant finding a way around the infamous Hanmer lanes and was well received, up until that point, as the more colourful lanes came into focus- Lol.

At least there were a few smiles on arrival at the Boathouse, as we waved goodbye to John & Nick, just leaving. Mike had not been to the Boathouse before, so he found it interestingly different & a tick for me- Lol. We settled into the rear garden benches, only to find the Boathouse was fully booked and only the kiosk available for take away. This meant a limited choice on food, but we all managed to get something and of course a stunning lakeside view.

A good mix of conversation ensued, which included Andy’s realisation of a larger water bottle, after spotting my 900ml bidon, which he proceeded to try on his bike (where has he been all these years- Lol). It turns out, you just can’t please everybody, despite me slaving all night over the route and lunch stop- Lol. Not to mention any names, but one of the disgruntled was female and the other one lives with her-Lol.

Photo by Elwyn

The return leg was short and fast at times, with a nice tailwind, although there were a few very short steep bits. One of which was particularly tough, due to us all being in the wrong gear when we rounded the corner, only to spot a horse up ahead. Momentum suddenly lost, there was nothing to do but grind the wrong gear, out of the saddle. Mike had to turn around and head back down to get his gears sorted- Oops. I was pushing so hard and nearly stationary, that I thought I was going to snap the chain. Of course, I got the blame for that as well, having only just dried my tearful eyes from the earlier abuse; “that was more like a sea bed, not a road” was one of the comments shouted from behind, after leading the group through what I like to think was a more authentic Cycling lane - Lol.

Anyway, the little kickers now behind us and no sooner than wink, Shocklach was upon us and the traditional wind up to the finish, accept I was sabotaged, having been moaned at for the pace. Traditionally it is every man/ woman for themselves. However, I considerately slowed down and got jumped, can you believe and left behind (despicable trick- Lol).

All joking apart, it was a gorgeous day, with great company. And for the first time, all of the group arrived back at the start for a final coffee, after 41 colourful miles- Lol. The surprise was the total ascent of nearly 700mtrs, no wonder I felt a bit tired riding home. I thought this was a flat-ish ride originally, so nice one everybody, especially Mike, as he has a lot less miles in his legs than most of us in the group.

See route map and/or gpx file download

NT

14th November 2019: Parkgate (mod)

Being the closest to Chester, Meadow Lea is one of the more popular starting points on the CER calendar. Particularly for me as I can have a good lie in and still have time to cycle down to the start. Five brisk riders, seven moderates and two non-riders turned up but some were less pleased than usual with starting point. Not with the café itself, I must point out, but with the journey to it. They had ridden along the greenway, found it flooded, and decided they would be able to cycle through it without getting their feet wet. Wrong! And when I arrived there were already a number of socks and shoes hanging in front of the fire in an attempt to get them dried out before the ride started.

A discussion took place as to a suitable place for lunch. It was cold and windy with the threat of rain. No one was too enthusiastic about a long ride and the Carden Arms was suggested. However the wind was from the north and I suggested a ride onto the Wirral which would give us the wind behind us on the way back. So as the brisk group turned left out of Meadow Lea, the moderates (Andy B, Dave H, George, Jim, Mike D, Peter and me) we turned right and headed through Mickle Trafford.
 
I didn’t have a map but I have ridden these roads so often that I didn’t need one. We zigzagged our way over the M53, past the back of the zoo and over the canal. We were forced into a short diversion because of road works at the top of Chorlton Lane but were soon crossing the A41 at Backford and heading up Demage Lane towards the railway. The Sustrans path alongside the railway slowed us down with all its gates but we put up with it as the alternative is to cycle up main roads. Then it was on through Capenhurst and Ledsham, across the Welsh Road and on to Willaston via the ‘missing link’. We avoided the centre of the village by turning right into Mill Lane but couldn’t avoid a short trip along the busy B5151.

I had intended to stop for lunch at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Raby, which I had visited a few weeks before, but as we approached it was only just past mid-day. A short committee meeting resulted in agreement to carry on and we passed through Thornton Hough and dropped down to the Boathouse at Parkgate. Despite there not being many people in the pub the service was slow but we were warm, not particularly in a hurry and we found plenty to talk about. When the food did eventually arrive it was good and soon devoured.

Soon it was time to re-emerge into the cold and wind but at least it was behind us as we headed along the front at Parkgate and on to the Wirral Way. After a short stretch to Neston we headed down through the houses to Quayside where we passed the Harp and Nets café to reach Burton Marshes. The going was much easier now with the wind behind us and we were soon across the Marshes and through the industrial estate, now with dedicated cycle lanes.

Andy and Peter left us before we headed down the greenway back towards Chester. Jim and I were cycling together while the other three gradually eased ahead. The route back was pretty straight forward and when we approached the flooded area (now fenced off by the council) the three out in front were nowhere to be seen. I was happy that they had found their own way back to Meadow Lea so Jim and I made our own way home. Only 36 miles today and an early finish but a timely one as we made it back just before the rain started to fall.

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TC

8th August 2019: Parkgate (leisure)

The four leisure riders, Trevor, Graeme, John B and myself chose a day at the seaside in preference to the moderates' choice of the flesh pots of Whitchurch, and accordingly set off in the opposite direction towards Hoole bank.

Swinging round to the east we skirted the zoo, over the canal and up to Backford. The route then followed the Sustrans track alongside the railway, still with all those gates, and on to Capenhurst. Rather than joining the Wirral way here we continued on to Willaston, past the old windmill and up to Thornton Hough. We then cut back west towards the coast to Parkgate and our lunch stop, The Boathouse, which we used for our Xmas dinner a few years ago.

Lunch was very pleasant sitting on the terrace overlooking the Dee and the Welsh hills in the sunshine, but there was a stickiness in the atmosphere preceding the forecast evening's storms.

However, the afternoon continued to be warm as we took to the Wirral Way briefly before cutting through the residential areas of Neston towards the Greenway. Coming in the opposite direction we passed a guy on one of those Boardman bikes - in fact it was Boardman. Clearly with no time to chat he sped off towards his mansion while we negotiated the industrial estate and gained the Greenway. No route finding now as we were blown eastward by a pleasant tailwind back to Meadow Lea. With time for a coffee and cake we watched in horror as the last two pieces of chocolate cake were snaffled up by two rather large ladies in front of us. Then to make matters worse a wasp took a bath in Graeme’s flat white which would certainly have added a little piquancy to the taste had he not noticed and removed it.

Overall a pleasant ride of 36 miles - I suppose we should have gone for a quick burn round Great Barrow to bring it up to 40 but we were greatly disinclined at that stage.

See route map and/or gpx file download

JD