The Thatch at Faddiley

Chester Cathedral

Four met at the Town Hall.  It was promising to be  a lovely day, and was already so warm I had to take my jacket off.  Only last week I had been hailed on (twice) at the Treasure Hunt in Trefnant, and a week later it was 'cracking the flags' as Harry says.  So I do not know where everyone else was?!

Meeting at the end of the Greenway

Undeterred, and happy with a small number, we set off North to pick up the Greenway, at the end of which we met Sara (I did remember she had messaged the group to meet us there....!).

Spring flowers on a 'dead end' lane

Mouldsworth Viaduct

We continued towards Manley, but turning towards Ashton we then swung round to Mouldsworth, and down a dead end lane - I have often wondered if there was a way through or not.  I had looked on google street map, I am sure, but saw no way, so I was interested and then fabulously surprised at the delightful track that we came to.  I did not even see the viaduct at first.  The ladies were not as pleased - terrified almost ("I'd be OK on my mountain bike"); but I reassured them and set off to join Bob and Ray in the dip under the tall arches.  So pretty, and very rideable.  After posing for a few photos, we continued, crossing the Ashton Brook and after a very short climb we were on the road to Delamere.  

Through to Kelsall, and on to our coffee stop at Rose Farm.  A short coffee stop as it was already nearly 12!

After this we were promised a downhill and flat ride to Faddiley.  We had a little more ascent before dropping to cross the A49, skirting Oulton Park and arriving at Bunbury via the locks.  From here it was a short hop to Faddily - and even though we re-traced the lane I took back on my ride - it felt so different coming the other way and so much greener and more springlike!

I love the green this time of year - it is new green, fresh and bright.  The hedges have exploded, there does not seem to have been a gradual noticing of small buds on the sunny side of the lanes, it has happened all at once.  The Cow Parsley is not out - but you can see the plants and small flower buds, so nearly ready to adorn the lanes with the wonderful white froth.

Faddily is a tiny hamlet on the A534 (Wrexham - Nantwich road), which has an old Inn, The Thatch, associated with Peckforton Castle.  We sat in the garden, it was such a lovely day, and had a very pleasant lunch time.

Our return journey consisted of a few miles of main road, to get us back to the lanes.  Sometimes it is unavoidable, and the road was quite quiet (as it was a Sunday).  It was also quite gently downhill - which could be identified as I picked up speed and was able to pass everyone and take up position at the front, whistling along at 20mph or so.  I note on the map we actually cross a very young River Weaver, which accounts for the downhill.

varied colours in the trees on Bickerton Hill

Gateway and large oak at Peckforton

Beeston

At Bulkely we turned back into the lanes, and enjoyed the variety of greens on Bulkely and Peckforton Hills.  Back now on familiar turf, we passed Beeston, Huxley and just caught the 50p shop and Christine's cafe before they closed.  Cake of enormous proportions.  And, sadly, before she closes for  good - she is selling up and will be giving up hospitality in a few weeks.  I am glad I was able to see her again, thank her for the years serving us and wish her well with her chickens and quiet home plans.

Last cake at Christine's

Passing the horseshoe pile

A very jolly, sunny and interesting 50 miles, many thanks to Bob.

Only for the Very Hardy...

...or "How to make a seventeen mile ride last three hours"!

Yes, the annual Treasure Hunt (and map reading) competitions, first Saturday of May.  Bank holiday or no bank holiday!  

Crossroads cafe at Trefnant

Despite emails, blogs, tweets, and facebook, only me from Chester turned up....the weather might have had something to do with it!  

Very few riders came, actually (eleven).  This year it was based in Trefnant, between St Asaph and Denbigh, only 40 mins from Chester by car.  It is a shame as Lowri puts a lot of work into it - the treasure hunt takes some time; but finding items for the map reading (in the case this year, water hydrants) takes a lot of riding, planning, and hunting!


We were all given two sheets for the treasure hunt - one to use and a spare in case the first got wet.  To be fair, mine looked more like a doiley at the end and I had to re-write the answers.

The key to good treasure hunting strategy is not to be caught at the clue writing the answer down.  I was last to leave, but soon caught up with a few (despite my snail's pace).  There was certainly a gathering at the post box in Tremeirchion, looking for the last weekday collection time.  I decided that stopping, gloves off, fishing for pencil, writing, putting pencil away, putting gloves back on was going to take me forever, and being slow anyway decided to use technology (my camera) instead - photograph the clue and write it up at the end. 

Rack and Pinion gearing;
St Asaph Corn Mill

Worked a treat!  It is a good job I invested in a waterproof camera (works up to 15m underwater - ideal for treasure hunting in Wales on a bank holiday!).

I caught up with most riders by clue number 15, a mileage question between Holywell and St Asaph.  It was actually an old milestone at the back of an old garage forecourt (I will find it next time).  Some were behind me, some came back.  I just cut my losses and carried on - and did not see anyone again until the end! 

The funny thing about treasure hunting is riding along reciting the clue to yourself, while trying to read every bit of writing you pass, including looking behind you.  You cannot just freewheel down the hills, and you may need to stop going up as well.  I find myself making up other clues as I go, for other answers.

The carving has wooden coloured trousers
 - not just pants as Glennys thought!

It was a lovely route, and quite a bit off the road too.  Some interesting sculptures and info boards - which you have to speed read, skimming for the name or date you are looking for (only to find the answer around the corner!)

 I met up with Lowri half way round - or rather she caught me up (and gave a couple of small hints of direction!).  Not content with organising and riding before and checking people in, she then rides the whole route, getting back before us.  Me, I would stay in the warm dry cafe!

Heron-on-a-pole

Knights at the bridge into Rhuddlan

As I add these pictures, it surprises me how colourful they look,despite the continuous

 dampness and greyness of the morning!

At Rhuddlan the clue was to find evidence of [our] clubs history - I found one winged wheel

(which cheered me up) but missed the second.  

I think The New Inn  needs to re-paint the wheel with colour to help it stand out.

I completely missed the other one!

Criccin Farm, with Suffolk sheep
 - showing Suffolk sheep too!

The last bit was into a headwind, and I had to put my gloves back on (having warmed up earlier I had been able to manage without them.)  

I was wishing I had a large woolly sheep to shelter behind, too!

Too cold, wet and tired to do the map reading this time.  Went home to have a hot bath and then blog!