Saturday 14 January 2012

Excellent start to the New Year

counting wheels and
quick information session
It most certainly was, with blue skies and sunshine, 14 riders, and 25 miles to the Chocolate shop in Tarporley and back.  What more can I say!








It was a very cold start to the day - well, actually it stayed about freezing all day.  some new faces, again and some people who had not been out for ages. 

We set off through Littleton, and in Christleton took a little side leg to shake off a men's cycling group who had attached themselves to the back of our group. We then picked up the canal to Waverton, carried on to Old Waverton, and on out to Huxley.  At this point there were many many horse boxes - but I have no idea what was on.  no horse events were listed on the t'internet when I looked later, and I even contacted the North West Cheshire horsey people and they did not know.

Re-group at Waverton



The lanes were also unusually busy - I am guessing it is still the sales and people getting back into the swing after the Christmas and New Year break.


last hill before coffee!




Invasion by the Ladies!








I called ahead to the Chocolate Shop - good job I did as Tarporley is a particularly busy little village! even they the three tables were not enough and I sat with an older lady who looked a little displeased at all these people....I turned on the charm and chatted to her, she was actually quite interested, and was asking questions about pedals - no, really!

  
We headed back initially along the A51, it is a downhill swoop and short lived before we can turn left onto Corkscrew lane.  aaaand....breathe!

We passed two more cafe's on our way back to Waverton (50p shop and Walk Mill) and then back.

I had an interesting conversation in Waverton - the whole 'fabulous' name was brought into question.  I regailed a few with the rationale behing the name for the Chester Ladies, and realised not everyne knows.  So, I have added a 'history' page to the blog now - all will be revealed!


25 Miles.

Sunday 1 January 2012

Happy New Year!

Each New Year Chester and North Wales CTC have two meets on New Years Day.  The best excuse to get the bike out and start the New Year with a bike ride, meal and gathering of bikes.  One group meet in McLeans in Shotton, and the Chester/ Wrexham/ Mold groups meet at Tilston, in the Carden Arms for food, drinks and conviviality.  The ladies are of course invited, and this year three of the Chester Fabulous Ladies descended among the many other cyclists.  I think it is interesting to note that only 1/4 of the whole gathering were women, and only 5 (I think) cycled out.  Still very low numbers for a gathering of 36 or so cyclists.

Anyway, it was a pleasant enough ride out (as the group I was in missed the huge downpour and only got slightly wet) - even the large flood at Chowley Oaks did not totally soak my feet!  And the ride home was dry with a band of blue sky tantalizingly hovering to our left.


Welna, Moira and Sue lead the Chester group home

30 miles.