The Trotting Mare at Knolton (near Overton)

The day after Valentines day, and time for another Sunday ride.  Sunshine, always a nice start to the day!

(need to crop this!)

We were due to pick up three en route, so set off down Bridge Street and out along Lache Lane.  

Sadly the sun could not stay with us; February lanes can appear too dreary so not many pics.

We headed up Marford Hill,then around the back to Borras Head, dropping down to the new roads and Waterways Garden Centre.

The bike parking was hard to access, as they have put display sheds up in front, and large pots.  Bit of a scramble to get in.


And they had closed off the access at the side only the previous weekend, so we had to go all the way through the centre, past reptiles, plants and ponds!

Herons on guard duty!

Baby tortoises! soo cute.
Turtles were sweet too.

We took over half of the cafe - but they were not that busy.

We bade farewell to Gill and Richard, who were going to seek inspiration for kitchens from various show homes in Farndon.

The rest of us carried on around Wrexham industrial estate, carefully avoiding the half marathon village bakery event on the same day

Coming along the A525, I was trying to picture the roads last year, on the same date, when the floods were high.  The main road was reported to be underwater by Bangor on Dee, but no-one took any photos!


We left Bangor past the racecourse, and carried on to Overton.

After Overton we carried on the A road for a while, as there was no option.  I took a little side road to get us off the main road for a little bit, this was lovely - and closed so no cars!  Apart from a few large holes easily navigated (and a lot of mud) it was no problem, although we still had a little bit of main road before arriving at The Trotting Mare.  

Ray's not Roast dinner
sizzling!

We were warmly welcomed and there were two large tables set out ready for us (unlike last ride to Lady Heyes when I believe there were not tables set aside even though Dave had phoned ahead).  Roast dinners were the order of the day (although a few other dishes slipped through!).

I found some lovey hearts table decorations, so set them out; and shared some love heart sweets too!  The red roses were already out.

Time for a selfie before we left...

...and then back into the lanes towards Penley.  I had to cut out a loop I had planned down to Ellesmere because of the time, but the lanes were great and very quiet.

Then Ray occasionally shoots ahead to take photos as we cycle past.....

The next thing I know I am recognising the lane as we drop to Sarn Bridge, to pass the Queens Head, where we came exactly a year ago!  and the climb back up from the Wych brook.




Hoping for a coffee and some cake at Bellis's, we were slightly disappointed that they had shut early; but not to worry.  I had noticed as we came past the Cross that Hildegard's lights were on, so she was obviously back from her week in Germany.  So some of us retraced and were welcomed in, with cake on offer.





As we unlocked and turned lights on, we bade farewell to people heading for the other side of the river - Holt-Farndon bridge is the first public crossing of the Dee upstream of Chester, so to cross again you either have to come all the way back, or you can duck off through Rossett.

Till next ride!

Lady Heyes

As the rain clouds parted, so a goodly number of cyclists gathered at Chester Town Hall for the February ride.  There is some blue in the sky!

Dave led us through town to the canal, the group becoming a little fragmented until we could re-group.  We
lost Nosheen, who discovered a loose pedal, so had to wait for a rescue and could not join us.
















Once in the lanes, there was quite a significant head wind, making life hard depending which way the lane twisted.  We looped past the rugby club and Littleton, to rejoin the A51 nearer to Stamford Bridge, and from there into Barrow.





Arriving at Manley Mere in sunshine, I was unable to stay as I had to collect my daughter, so I bade the group farewell.  

Coffee Queue (Manley)

Sunshine at Manley Mere, but a windy day.

Table for 16 please?!!!

Photos by Ray, unless they are by Sue!

Ice, Ice Baby

Today's plan was to go to The Thatch at Faddily, but following light snow overnight and then temperatures dropping below zero, it was hard enough to walk down the road let alone ride.  Such a shame on what was promising to be a sunny day.

The ride was cancelled through email and facebook, but Bob and I drove to the Town Hall just in case anyone had braved it.  No-one in sight we headed home again.  We agreed that snow (on it's own), sleet, fog, wind, rain we could cope with but if one goes down on ice, we all go down.  And that is how you break bones.

I noted that Chester Road Club and Two Mills CTC also cancelled - good plan!

At time of writing the blog most ice has now gone and it is just a grey day with distant white hills.  Stay safe out there guys!

View across snowy fields to white North Wales hills

The Shippons at Irby

The first ride of the year, and the weather again threatened ice.  It is hard to determine how bad it will be under wheel until you are out there, and then it may be too late.  Dave checked out the Greenway on his way to the Town Hall and all seemed well.

A good number gathered in the sunshine in Chester, and photo taken off we went.

It was the most beautiful weather despite a white covering - which was fast melting in the surprisingly warm winter sun.

We dropped to the canal and followed that to the Greenway, nice and easy going after the indulgences of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Passing the change bridge near the Canal Basin

Heading along the canal

We picked up Nosheen along the route, and all carried on along the Greenway, to cross the Burton Marshes and Nets cafe for elevenses.

Burton Point

The first January ride is a gentle re-introduction, so the route continued in a straightforward manner along route 56 through Neston and eventually into Irby, up some hills, losing Val and Norm.  Dave went hunting,and I and a few headed to the pub (I was a bit short on time).

The Shippons, an old cattle shed made
into a restaurant and bar

All the tables were reserved, but the staff
were very helpful in finding the extra chairs
for our large group of 16

I had to get back to get my daughter to the train station, so a couple of us headed straight back down to Thurstaston to pick up the Wirral Way and head back the way we came.  It was a very cold and quite strong headwind, so was hard work but we made it back for 4:30, just as lights were needed - and after seeing a lovely sunset.

The rest of the gang wended their way back across the Wirral, but some also found it hard going so they missed the afternoon cafe stop, and finally got back to Chester for about 6pm.

New Year's Day 2015

A happy new year to you all!

The first of January is not a day many people see, and I am sorry to say I had overindulged on the Prosecco the night before, so was feeling slightly dodgy and wobbly on that Thursday morning.  But, I thought - kill or cure, and armed with my new 'selfie stick' set off with Bob to meet at the 'Pond' (in Christleton)

Ha ha new dimension with selfie stick for start group photo!
(I know I am a bit bright - still had camera set on indoor party mode from the night before!!)

 We follow a fairly straightforward route out - no cafe's are open, so we sometimes stop to re-gather troops just out of Tattenhall, so another opportunity for a photo (after I have taken another paracetamol, and drunk some more water.  Also a snack bar as I hadn't managed breakfast!!)

New Years day lanes - drab and glum, but still nice to be out with friends in the fresh air.

Chance to catch up on last year 's events and look forward to what is coming in 2015 

At The Carden Arms in Tilston there is a chance to meet up with Wrexham groups, and other riders we know across Chester such as Easy Riders.

Mike, our president (chair) usually announces some winners of the best lady and gent from the Tourist Competition held annually by CTC....

 

.....which is usually won by Lowri, due to outstanding riding through the year.

It must be noted that she rides in from RUTHIN even on New Years day.  She is such a star!

donated trophies

And Andy :-)