The Cross Keys, Llanfynydd

The last time I was in Llanfynydd I think the pub looked very shut.  Today, I fancied a few hills and saw The Cross Keys on Google Maps when hunting for a lunch location.  So, after pouring over maps (I could do that for hours anyway!) I decided a morning coffee at Gwersyllt (or maybe Alyn Waters, if the visitor centre does coffees), and then up to Llanfynydd.

A late notification of the ride meant no-one there when I took my initial photo, but I was set on going anyway - so it was delightful when Chris turned up.  Chris has done a few Summer Evenings with us, until 'work got in the way'!

So, we set off and I checked if he was OK to head along Dukes Drive, as we are well into autumn and the trees are looking particularly glorious!

And it was not too muddy at all.

After heading through Eccleston and the Old Wrexham Road (old A483), I pointed us into the lanes at Rossett, wending our way through Burton to come out halfway up the B5102 road to Llay.  We rode on the pavement as we were turning right again very shortly, but it did not give us any relief from the hill! 

I was kind to Chris and did not take him on the back road and then the steep-down-and-steep-back-up further into Llay, instead we turned in at The Miners Institute and picked up the cycle path, before heading into Alyn Waters.

Alyn Waters was once the estate of Gwersyllt Hall,
now demolished

After asking someone, We agreed to try to find the visitors centre, as yes, it does have a cafe.  Crossing onto the other half of the park (it is split by the road), the tracks were rideable but variable, and did in the end bring us to a marvellous cafe. 

Refreshed, we now needed to peruse the maps (as my original planned route was via Gwersyllt!), and the first thing out of the Country Park was to cross the main A541 (which was quite quiet), and use the footpath until we could turn off into the lanes.  After a short climb, we followed the top end of the Moss Valley, until we hit the B5101 and this in turn brought us to the B5104 - known as 'The Steps' when I was riding in the '80's.

Here I did add a little hill - and chose to drop down to the ford and up to Cymau - there was a bridge but it did then entail a short walk as we could not get going again on the hill!

Nearly there and a lovely descent, just espying the viaduct through the trees (but no photo as we were enjoying a well earned downhill!).  Disappointment at Llanfynydd - the bronze telephone box was no longer bronze, and was red again!  I am not sure why, and the pub staff did not know ("it has always been red")- but no, I was here in 2022, and it was bronze then.

January 2022

November 2024

Chris did not want to stay for lunch so I sent him on his way onward towards Mold, and headed into the pub, for my reduced table from the optimistic 6 to 'just me'. (I had phoned from Alyn Waters, so that was all fine).  Small Sunday lunch, extra gravy (they did offer me extra veg!) and a pint of Guinness, for just over £13 so that is OK!

After lunch I wanted to head to The Stone Zoo (as I call it) - Rhos Uchaf Hall. It did involve a couple of arrows (just for fun, tell that to my lungs as I gasped my way out of Llanfynydd!). I know I looked this up last time - but here is the link of a little background to the stone figures.

These guys are so cute, I remembered seeing them on Sunday runs when I first started riding - and here I am forty years on still hunting them and showing other people (although not today!)

I returned back down the hill with two arrows to Llanfynydd, and crossing the road set off up the back of Hope Mountain. It was quite misty and damp, especially on top, so no views today.

My return home was a steep descent, hanging on my brakes, then more lovely downhill around Kinnerton, and Lache Lane back to Chester. But I did find another new cafe!

Route with Komoot

Ponderosa Cafe on the Horseshoe Pass

Dave writes - 

"Six turned up for the ride to the Ponderosa café on the Horseshoe pass.  We headed out along the river to Saltney Ferry, crossed the river to Bretton, through Kinnerton to Honeys café in Hope for morning coffee.

Ian departed here to do a quick recce for his ride on the 17th and we continued on past the Ffrwd pub heading for The Steps, but Tony decided to head for home as he had been over the steps with 69 cyclists on Saturday morning.

On the route to Llandegla, we continued to Minera before heading over Worlds End. The road surface on the way down towards the Ford is full of pot holes slowing the descent.  We then took a right turn passing Pen y Clawdd farm to the Horseshoe pass where we decided we would go up the old pass to the café for lunch. 

Once refuelled we headed off down taking a right turn along a gated road towards Pant [I love that little lane - S] where we joined the main road before turning off to pass Llandegla mountain biking centre.  On to the junction with B5430 turning left through Four Crosses on to Rhydtalog turning right on the minor road across to Llanfynydd for afternoon tea. When I was asked what the route back would be, it was no surprise to some when I replied, 'we would be going over hope mountain'!

50 miles cycled with over 4400 feet of climbing."

The Wilbraham at Nantwich

10 convened at Christleton Pond this morning, no fog in sight as had been the case this week, and avoiding all the closed roads from Chester's 'metric' marathon.

The pond was so flat and calm, reflecting the heron as he stalked slowly between the lily pads.  We were a little late starting as Nosheen's sat nav took her to the wrong place, and as we waited two more turned up.












Ian led us out of Christleton into the lanes, until a road closed (and by the looks of it, workmen busy even on a Sunday with what looked like hot tarmac.)  Small deviation to the A51 brought us quickly back on route, and into the lanes once more.









Cheshire is flat, apart from the Sandstone ridge we always have to cross.  We did so near Willington, steady climbing then descending to a little favourite

lane of John's, leading to a small lake - we think it is just called 'Mill pond' - a favourite fishing spot and very pretty. There is a path you can use to walk around it.

Sunny and warm enough to sit outside at the Shire Horse Centre, with a small unfriendly cat walking about between us and along the rail.  We bade farewell to Hazel, but greeted Paul who met us there.

Welsh Row

Back into the lanes and through Rushton and Wettenhall to the back of Reaseheath college, cross the A51 and into Welsh Row in Nantwich.  

Nantwich has the largest number of historic buildings in Cheshire (outside Chester) which includes the buildings up Welsh Row, which leads out of the town. 









After lunch, where we again sat outside, this time watching noisy tractors, ambulances, and a man pushing a large cart full of great tins and cans, we headed back out of Nantwich and another closed road - they are the best, so quiet!

Out through Acton and Chorley, to again cross the A49.  Past Cholmondeley Estate (pronounced Chumley, in case you didn't know) towards pretty Bickerton.  Here we again cross the Sandstone ridge, at Harthill.

Decision time at Harthill

Decision time - which cafe do we want to go to?  Teddy Bear cafe won, near Burwardsley (pronounced Burdsley, but not Bosley!), which it's panoramic views from Helsby Hill to the right, around to Wales on the left.  A bit too hazy today to see Liverpool.

Last orders at The Teddy Bear Cafe :-(

Sadly we were informed that the cafe will be closing at the end of the month; so I am glad we had this last golden opportunity to sit in the sunshine and enjoy the views, coffee, biscuits and cakes.

It is all downhill from here!

The Crown at Pantymwyn

We did not have a leader allocated for today's ride, so I spent 10 minutes Sat night plotting a little 40ish mile route round, avoiding a foodie festival at Hawarden and the food and drink festival in Mold.  I think everyone in the vicinity must have been at these two extravaganza's; I don't think I have ever seen such quiet lanes, even for a Sunday!

Selfie group photo at the start(ish)

A late email and some holidays (not to mention an intrepid LEJOG* by Dave Bob and Ray; to be joined today by Kath, Stu and Nick) possibly meant low number turn out - three of us to be precise (and Darren turned back at Hope).  But it is not always about quantity, but quality!

Nosheen negotiating steps by
Chester Racecourse

View upstream from railway bridge.
Tiny colour changes in some trees

Chester was quiet, a few tour groups setting off.  We headed to the river and followed around to the railway bridge - a new one for Darren.  Using some of the winter evening (unofficial) circuit route we headed for the donkey sanctuary, and fortunately there were no closed rail crossings today.  







With a climb after the Royal Oak in Kinnerton, we dropped to Jemoleys at Pen-y-Ffordd.  as I passed the open kitchen window I heard a cry of 'hooray, cyclists!' (not mirrored by the young girls face at the till until I reassured her there was only three of us!)

Mandatory cake photo

Darren and myself

Nosheen and hot chocolate

...with all the trimmings!

After coffee (and cake/toast) break, we headed for the station, and a little lane just after which affords lovely views of Hope Mountain across the valley.  We waved goodbye to Darren (prior engagement) and carried on down pigeonhouse lane to come out on the main Mold Wrexham road.






Not for long, as we headed left and up a short hill, to then follow more contours to Leeswood.  Or rather, contoured for a bit then massive descent to the 'sunspot' road as I call it (there used to be a garage at the top called the Sunspot.  One day when I have time and I can find it, I will scan it in and share it with you).




Climb in Leeswood; then more lovely contours before a wonderful drop to come out alongside the magnificent gates of Leeswood Hall - we think the gates are bigger than the house!

Leeswood white gates and screen; attributed
to Davies Brothers of Wrexham; they also
made the golden gate at Eaton Hall and
Chirk Castle (to name a few)

We then followed more contours, overlooking Mold, before a sudden and very sharp double arrowed corner.  Bit of a shock to the system!









More contours, past Plas Hafod, and a final climb and last drop to The Crown.  Someone said you have to book, it gets very busy.  Not today.  But a lovely young lady called Ashley looked after us, and after a refreshing break we set off - what can only be described as mostly down with some wonderful contours through leafy lanes.  I caught a few whiffs of wild garlic on our travels.  Not an autumny feel at all, not yet.

Moel Ffamau in the distance

We dropped to the Mold Denbigh road at Rhydymywn, and headed left for a short while before turning in right to what looks like a quarry but with a sneaky little lane off to the right.  Steep.  But also muddy in parts, so when I started to wheelspin, I lost it and had to walk.  Short walk to the top of the hill - very short drop on the main road to left and again we contoured and descended.  I was expecting a reciprocal climb - but no- we arrived in Northop with only a promise of downhill-all-the-way-home!  (except Nosheen, who had a two mile climb from there - sorry!)

Flint bridge.  Power station to the left.

I dropped down to Connahs Quay via Kelsterton Lane, which lands almost underneath the Power Station.  I then followed route 5, nice and easy; to cross the river with the railway again.  I followed the river for a short way, then took a left after the main road bridge, as I have not used the link to the Greenway before.  Nice to get a new lane or track in when you can!

Shotton railway bridge and steelworks
building in distance.

Blue bridge at Hawarden

Different approach to the Greenway blue bridge

The sunshine that was promising first thing this morning had given way to grey clouds for the day before I had even left.  As I headed home it seemed to get even darker.  But it was a marvelously green day despite the gloom!

44 miles.





* Lands End John O Groats