I had a call from Kingsway, saying they were going to be closed again for our September ride, so we were looking for an alternative. As it had been quite busy and unpleasant in Hoole, we had a collective think, with two options. Near to Kingsway cafe is a sheltered housing build, which has a cafe/ bistro - unfortunately when I called in to enquire I was told it will be opening in January, so not an option yet. Rick suggested Cafe Number One in Upton, who were happy to have us.
The cafe has a few cycle racks nearby, and a some car parking if required; they gave us the upstairs room which was kind, as they have some 'regulars' who come in. It was a nice big room, but we are tucked away so may be hard to find. Anyway, we had nine riders, with a nice gentle and shortish ride to a new cafe.
and it was downhill, accessing the Greenway by the route near to Live! and Bren bikes - some did not realise this was a way on to the Greenway; you often learn something new with our rides!
It was a grey morning, with rain threatening (100% apparently, so you would struggle to get away with that!). The Greenway is nice and sheltered with trees, so we managed to get a bit
further before we gave in and those who hadn't started off in raincoats could don them before getting too wet. The shower was short lived thankfully, and we were soon at the red dragon bridge, where we left the Greenway to cut across towards the river - and into a very strong headwind!
The Olive Tree cafe is situated in Andy's Plants garden centre/ nursery, at the end of Sealand Road (on a dead end spur). The ladies were very friendly and helpful, with a range of sandwiches and toasties, although you have to be careful where you park the bikes, as the tempting shed with 'outside wood store' was out of bounds (there is a shed sales company on the same site, and he was not impressed - we moved and apologised, I think he was OK about it.
We started to 'shed' riders as soon as we set off back, with Margaret heading back to Neston via the Greenway, retracing our route out; we battled the wind to the river, where we now had a smashing tail wind alongside and very full and fast flowing river as the ride roared in.
It was Chester Races again, so the racecourse path was out; but after crossing Sealand Road by the Cop we scattered a little, with Claire heading home, Team Tandem using a different route as the tandem doesn't bend awfully well to get around the Change Bridge, and Sarah who headed straight up Canal Street. We regrouped when we joined the Greenway again, for the final couple of miles home.
17 miles
