The Hare and Hounds at Crowton

So, who looked at the weather forecast for today?

"A weather warning has been issued for the whole of the North West region ahead of the arrival of Storm Freya.  The public is being warned that fierce winds of up to 65mph are forecast, with 'danger to life' and injuries possible due to flying debris.

Damage to buildings, travel disruption and power cuts are also likely.

Storm Freya is expected to hit Cheshire this [Sunday] afternoon into tomorrow morning, with the yellow weather alert coming into force at 3pm"

No.  It just rained.  All day.

Wet start at The Pond (Christleton)

But it was not as cold as it could be (OK, not the 20 degree weather we had mid last week!) but add to it hosts of daffodils waving in full bloom, and a whole club turn out in yellow, it was quite a bright cheery day!

Ian was in charge, and I took up the backstop.  Not many photos as it really was very gloomy! But nice reflections in the puddles!

Morning coffee was at Rose Farm, up a few hills past Willington Hall (which was when Sheila recognised where we were!).  At this point I realised that my waterproof really wasn't, and my top was very wet.  But it was not cold, and I had a spare, so on we continued; persuading the other two ladies that they may as well stay with us for the day, than head home after coffee.

Under this - I am still wet!

Puppy King Charles in the pub
 - named 'Crowton'

It was nice to ride through Delamere, and out to Norley.  We had a marvellous swoop down a lane with a fabulous new road surface (until the line when the money clearly ran out!)  and to The Hare and Hounds in Crowton.  

Very friendly and hospitable, the pub break allowed some spreading of items on a radiator, so my stuff dried out quite well, ready for round two!

Back out and up to Kingsley, but dropping down to Manley Common now it is all downhill home!

 

It was a bit bleak, still wet and with the threat of storm Freya, we agreed to crack on and not stop at Manley Mere.

We parted company, and Stu, Sheila and I headed back to Mickle Trafford, where Stu ad I managed some cake at Meadow Lea.  Why not.

PS I bought a new waterproof online when I got home!

New Year at The White Horse at Churton

New years day 2016, and the annual meet up to blow away seasonal cobwebs and start the new year.  The weather has been wet, to say the least, and new years eve was no exception.  However, for only the second time this winter, temperatures were forecast to drop to 1 degree which accounted for occasional lightly frozen puddles and the infrequent crunch under-wheel.

12 met at Christleton pond, it was advertised for any one from any group to meet but only Janet from Two Mills came.  I could see a stealthy heron on the far side of the pond, but we had much chatting and greeting and 'happy new year'ing to do!  A new face, and a returning face from two years ago (when the weather was so wet and cold!).

I had a plan to meet Shorts Dave at the Beeston signalling box, he was working there, with a 22 mile spin.  However, as we left a little later than anticipated and I was taking it slow (due to new faces and me having no energy!) we had to re-think, and instead headed straight to Tattenhall from Hargrave, then Chowley Oak and Coddington.  Snowdrops already appearing by the church.

We then had a long winding lane to Churton, after a brief altercation with a pheasant who just stayed stood in the middle of the road, (Pheasant, not peasant, just to be clear!) and stayed until two of us passed either side, then it ran one way and flew over our heads, shouting at us!

'Farmer' John, Tony, Dave and Mike, our president

No photos on route, a very ordinary ride and route, very grey day.  Photos of all in the pub, though...

Some of our Wrexham chums enjoying the

conservatory, and Mike again!

Glyn and Lowri - our esteemed secretary

...Lowri is also the best woman rider for 2015 (and

2014, 2013, 2012, possibly 2011!)

Mike makes his speech (quick and to the point) and gives awards for the past year to cyclists who have achieved great things.

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And an award for Harry, just for riding forever!

No, he has run the Watson's Wanderers (Tuesday

Cyclists) for about 25 years.

Harry 'The Bike' Watson is one of our oldest members.  Living just over the border his cycling exploits are of legend; staying out till 1am (midnight in the winter as a concession); he covered 500,000 miles many years back (he keeps a log book and measures each days ride when he gets home).

I have ridden with Harry since I was a teenager ('young Sue' he always called me; until a few years ago when he decided I was no longer young, and should call me 'middle age Sue'!), so know him quite well.  He will be seen at various locations (usually near a café or somewhere he knows he can get a brew and a cake) wearing his distinctive tartan tam O'shanter, pedal pushers and knee high red or blue socks.

More Wrexham riders

Mixture - L-R Carol (fab lady), Audax Dave, Andy, Ray (nearly

joined us at the pond), John - all mostly Chester based - and

Birthday boy Dave from Mold group (maybe Wrexham)

Chester and a few friends

By the time I had mixed and mingled briefly, Chester riders were getting their coats on, so I was unable to get a pic of our two tables. Instead, I made them line up outside!

By now, no surprise, it had started raining again.  Straight back to Aldford, up the hill to Saighton, cross the A41 to Waverton and through to Christleton, to bade farewell to the riders left.

15 miles Christleton to Churton, and 8 back (total 23)

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!