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 :-)

Boxing Day post turkey spin

 Meeting at a rather unsociable hour of 8:30, it is time for the annual ritual of a short cycle ride after Christmas, to blow away the sluggishness following probable over indulgence the day before.

No-one else turned up at the Piper, but Stu caught us up on the greenway, as I was trying to take photos of the trains all lined up and going no-where from Chester Station.  But it was still too dark to take a photo!

It is there and back, but a good chance to catch up and share stories as ever.  We stopped at the other end for a selfie, but had to take a detour as the path is still closed by Shotton Bridge.

Christmas Lunch at The Yew Tree, Bunbury

 A merry gathering for the December ride and Christmas lunch.

Meeting at Christleton pond, it gives us a chance to recall Christmas rides from the past, and usually the weather we have enjoyed and endured

We set off through the lanes, fairly standard route, Dave leading the way but me following with a bit of a gap - saying that we crossed the Plough crossroads as Dave's group arrived from a different direction!

All quite flat until we climbed up to the Candle Factory Workshops.

In the cafe at the Candle Factory

 We certainly enjoyed the most lovely weather for December, with blue skies and sunshine.  It was Nigel and Christine's first ride out since moving to the area, and were delighted with what we have on our back doorstep.

From the Candle Factory we dropped down a tiny tiny lane to Harthill, then round Rawhead and after a brief interlude on the A534 back onto the lanes and round Bulkeley hill.  

Omry, Sharon, Dave

Lisa and Sue

Dave and Bob

Martin pondering his next ale

Alex and Nigel

Some of us enjoyed venison as an alternative, although we could choose from Beef, Turkey, Hake and Veggie too.

I don't think this guy had anything to do with the venison!

Stu and Kath

 We then headed back towards Beeston and Huxley before calling in for our annual visit to Walk Mill - Caroline sets her advent calendar by our arrival!

Arriving at Walk Mill

enjoying coffee and cake at the end of the day.

The Wheatsheaf at No Mans Heath

8 riders met at Chester Town Hall, on a gloomy but dry and not windy November morning, amidst the hammering and drilling of the elves assembling the Christmas Market stands.  The is one thing about meeting in the city centre, you feel in touch with what is going on!

Bob led us out of town via the Old Dee Bridge, and out to Eccleston, Straight Mile and up to Marford hill.  The golden leaves still lingering on some of the trees gave a slight glow to the lanes,  and took the edge of the grey skies.

Autumn colours on Wrexham Road

After a little meander around Hoseley, we headed to Holt.  Finding Hildegards full to bursting with cyclists we instead went to Bellis's, where there is plenty of room.

unlocking at Bellis's

Returning through Holt we dropped to cross the river on another old sandstone bridge, classic Cheshire Dee bridges! and climbed up through Farndon.  I can still see the swollen river as it was in February when I cross here, or the time it was frozen with thick ice and a small channel flowed through.

Passing Tilston church

From Farndon, we headed to Stretton Mill - no photo as it is at the bottom of a hill- and through the Carden Park gold course - because it is both sides of the road.  We came into Tilston, and passed the church, emerging by the Bull at Shocklach.

We came past this beautiful old manor house, with the most exquisite chimneys, a quick check of the map showed it as Lower Carden Hall, a 15th century grade 1 listed building.

I think I stopped paying attention because next we are heading into Malpas past the church, before a right-left at the Cross heading downhill to No Mans Heath.

note the road sign on the wall to No Mans Heath -
below the impossibly large speakers!

We have been here before, a few years ago, but the selection of food and prices was marvellous.  Some of us found a friend and chose 2 for £10 meals, and some had small portion two course for £3.50 - amazing prices and very nice food - and friendly to boot!

Arriving at The Wheatsheaf

No photos after lunch, as it was quite dark.  We followed some lovely lanes, almost bordering with Shropshire here, and made it to the Teddy Bear tea rooms in time for a coffee and a cake.

Lights on now, as the watery sunset could be seen - pale peach and pink lines in the now darker grey sky.  Much discussion about what lights are best - not just to be seen but to actually see where you are going/ where the potholes are / where the side of the road is.

50 very pleasant miles, back to Hoole for 5:40.