Girls in the Gales

Janaury, and a happy new year to you all.  Last month was cancelled, so when this month's ride date approached and the weather began to turn windy, with stormy gales, I did wonder if we would be able to ride.  Several people dropped out, including a few leaders; but a stalwart 12 made it to the cafe, and I changed my plans according to the weather.

The original plan had been to go to the Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port; but the direction of the wind would have been across us there and back, so with the aid of a rather groovy weather app I found the prevailing wind direction and speed (and with the help of some facebook friends I worked out which way to head - if it is a NNW wind then we need to head in a NNW direction); so our destination was changed to Eureka cafe, planning to be blown home again.

Feeling windblown already at the start!

We set off along the Greenway - I figured that as it was off road it would build our confidence in the wind, and takes the traffic element out of the equation for handling our bikes.  

It was fine, and easy going. 

We left the Greenway at Blacon, although I was a 'stop' too early so we had to wend through a couple of streets to pick up my route again.

As we were now 'rolling', the wind was not too bad at all.

Gusty on some bends, but with warnings everyone did really well.

We went down a 'private' road past a few farms, I remember this being closed off during the foot and mouth outbreak several years ago.

I did worry a bit (and warned the ladies) that as we climbed the bridge to cross the main road that it may be worse on top as it is more exposed - but it was not bad at all!

At the end of the road we re-grouped for a photo, and then turned along the lane to Woodbank and the main road.

On reaching the main road I did explain how we were going to ride safely along it, as it is fast and can be busy.  

In a short while we all made it safely to the Eureka cafe, which except for two gentlemen was completely deserted!

Another group photo outside the Eureka cafe!

Capenhurst - and a 'pinfold' visible on the left of the picture.

Now, after a short re-trace back up the A550, we again joined the lanes - but this time with a roaring tailwind!!!  Brilliant, and so worth the mornings efforts.  So much so that Collette at one point considered that the wind must have dropped now - but I pointed out that it hadn't at all, and this is because it is behind us.

Following route 56 back meant we had to negotiate the gates - but taking each gate in turn (one person holds as the rest of us go through) smooths the flow of the group. 

Crossing the A41 near Backford/ Mollington

All in all a very pleasant morning, 18 miles and 12 riders.  It was a bit like 'the olden days' of the Fab ladies as there was just the one group!  And what beautiful sunny weather again :-)

Good drying weather!

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Slippy Leaves and Sloppy Mud!



Leaving the cafe



Aaah, the challenge of finding a title for each blog entry!

November already!  After a night of torrential rain, the morning of the November ladies ride dawned with blue skies and sunshine.  Leaves are dwindling as autumn tumbles into winter, the days shorten and the sun sinks lower in the sky.

However, the ladies turn outs are not dwindling, which is great news.  I was expecting two newcomers, but only one turned up, and with twelve more sets of wheels and a hasty photo (nearly forgot!), we set off up Mannings lane to cross the lights with the A41 and into the lanes.

What wonderful weather, no wind and warm sun.  As we passed the zoo I regailed anyone who was listening with the fact that a week ago on my way to work I was watching a couple of Orang Utans, catching the early morning sun.  Not a claim many can make on their daily commute.  (I saw Santa's reindeer last week!).  Part of the route is my evening return from work, so it was nice to see it in the daylight for a change (trying to memorise where the potholes are!).

After a couple of small climbs, we negotiated the gated track from Mollington to Dunkirk; then around to Capenhurst past the Pinfold.  A few more lanes saw us on the main A540 into Chester, a necessary evil in order to reach Eureka Cafe.  We were fortunate that we had a lull in the traffic, as the other main roads appeared to be quite busy, early Christmas shoppers no doubt.

We were welcomed as ever and planted ourselves outside to catch the November sun, still quite warm if you were not in the shade.



Mud, glorious mud!



Our return route took us back down the A540, to Woodbank, where we turned right back into the lanes, and over the relatively new Lodge Lane crossing.  At this point we turned right, to pick up the track to take us to the Greenway near Sealand.  And this was where we encoutered the extemely sloppy looking mud.  All negotiated it gracefully, and we were able to continue through.

By the time we got to the greenway, people were able to drop off home so that I was left with two ladies back near Kingsway shops.

14 ladies, 18 miles.

(more photos to follow!)

Extra ride to the Eureka

With the promise of glorious sunshine on Saturday; and because Nosheen will soon be leaving us for New Zealand; I called an extra impromptu ladies ride.  She told me (on a brief excursion we had the Monday evening previously) that she had never been to the Eureka Cafe, a particularly famous cycling cafe in our area (see http://www.eurekacyclistscafe.co.uk/).

So, after a flurry of emails, the day did indeed dawn hot and sweltery.  Seven of us left Kingsway Cafe (Angela called by but was between holidays - oh, to be retired!) but this did mean she could take our photo!

We set off down the cycleway, although we knew we faced a diversion later due to works.  At the point we had to leave, we came across a bewildered couple with a helpful lady doing her best to direct them out and round and back to the canal (arms a-waving like a air traffic controller), and were able to say a cheery 'follow us' (much easier than directions).  So we did have a gentleman join us for a short duration, but he had strict instructions to stay at the back! (:-D)

Re-joining the cycleway after the canal, we continued out past Sealand, and hung a right down an old lane past Sealand Camp (RAF Base) and followed round to the Lodge Lane bridge crossing and so to Woodbank.

As we joined the main road up to the cafe, I noted we were missing several ladies (already!).  I parked Flo in a layby and turned about to go in search - Lesley shouted over the road that Ali's chain had come off, so I set off to the rescue, visions of oily fingers and nails looming.  Fortunately (for me) Ali and the ladies had solved their short delay and were merrily now heading on to the cafe (phew, saves my nails!).

A wonderful sunny sit in the garden with refreshments set us up for the return back to Woodbank, but this time all the way to Shotwick Lights (Welna had come in this way and hijacked the group! so that we returned up the river, which was nice!

From the river at Chester we joined the canal, and negotiated the few pubs with people spilling all over the towpath - Races in Chester!!!!

To be honest I do not have the mileage for today (still no computer!) but I guess it was about 17-18?  Will measure it another day!

If you go down to the woods today.....

...you would have seen us tucking into cakes, bacon buttys and scones!

The weather forecast was a big yellow sun; so I proposed to the assembled 12 ladies to push it a little further this Saturday, and head to Delamere.  There were no objections, so off we set, down the cycleway to Mickle Trafford, left to the A56 then right after the railway, picking up the Cheshire Cycleway (route 70) through to Manley and Mouldsworth.  One or two hills, but it is a nice time of year as you do not get too hot climbing.

We lunched at 20 to 12 at the Station Cafe in Delamere, sitting outside making the most of the warm spring sunshine, and much jolly conversation was had!

Leaving Delamere on a short track brought us back to the lanes near Kelsall, where we didn't go up the big hill to the left (The Yeld) instead carried on round to come into the middle of Kelsall, enjoying the views over Ashton on the way. 

We then dropped down the hill and followed through to Oscroft and Tarvin, crossing the A51 to join the Roman Bridges.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockenhull_Platts)

25 very sunny and pleasant miles by the time we returned to Kingsway.  lots of daffodils in bloom which added to the sunniness generally!

One of these days the GPS I have will plot the whole route and I will work out how to share it with you all.

In the meantime, if anyone wants to know any of the routes we have used, do leave a comment and I will get back to you!

You never know who you will meet.....

October ladies ride had a good turn out, new faces and familiar. We set off up Mannings Lane and round the lanes to drop through the Zoo - for some exotic animal spotting. Across the canal and up the hill towards Backford then cross the A41 to head for Mollington.

Being a little less familiar with these lanes, and minus map, a few lucky guesses brought us out near Saughall. I stopped the group for one of my usual 'this is what we are going to do' prep talks, you know the sort - it's a busy road, we are turning left here then next right, take your time, we will re-group.....only to find there were no cars in sight, we turned onto the road and into Saughall with no problem!!! It can happen!

We hung another right in Saughall and followed this lane to the new bridge over the A5117. Despite being only a couple of miles from the Eureka cafe (cyclists cafe at Two Mills) we did not head that way, but instead picked up a cycle track that runs alongside the main road at Sealand - to pick up the Chester - Deeside cycle route.

It was at this point that a cry came from the back - 'can we go faster?!' So, we obliged! It is a nice flat (ish) smooth and straightforward route (ie it is very hard to lose anyone), and we proper zoomed along.

However, despite the promise of coffee and toast at the cafe, a few people planned to drop off along the route. As we re-grouped for a final time, we met a couple on what looked like extended roller blades, but also sporting long walking poles. I had to ask.

Cross country skiers, (without the snow) in training. I tell you, you meet all sorts of people when you are out on your bike! My big regret is that I did not take a photo of them, and more that I did not ask them to take a picture of us - before we spilt up. Those of you who know me - can you believe it!!!

By the time the five of us that were left returned to the cafe we had completed a tidy 16 miles. And all before lunch!

Valentines Day on the bike

Just the three ladies came to the Cafe this morning, despite being February it was not too bad on the weather front - Lesley sporting her new gloves!

We set off through the Zoo and lanes and went to the Eureka world famous cyclists cafe, at Two Mills. Little to report about the day - although the ladies did express that they felt like 'real' cyclists now they had experienced the cyclists cafe.

We returned along the cycleway, and I am sorry to say I have no photos from this day! I will be repeating this as it was a gentle 18 miles, with nice combination of lanes, track and cycleway.