The History Tour

 ...so named as today, like many of my  rides, include snippets of local and often little known history.  Which makes blog writing even longer as I like to verify my statements with links.  So here we go...

16 riders accumulated at Hobsons Cafe this morning, assembling for a chat and a photo and then setting off in two groups.  Two new riders, some newer and returning, some long standing regular riders.  Rain of recent days and weeks seemed to be keeping off, although still a strong wind.

I think only myself and my wrinkles are really in focus this time,
as I had no 'official' photographer!

I led a slower / beginners group, dropping to the river and following it along to the Grosvenor Bridge.  No photo today, but I may have mentioned here before that it was the longest single span bridge in the world when it was built, and remained so for thirty years (not eighty as I thought!).  It was opened in 1832 by Princess Victoria.  It is a grade I listed building, and remains the longest single span masonry bridge in Britain.  Grosvenor Bridge (Chester) - Wikipedia.  And then, of course, around the Racecourse - this first one and oldest still in use in the world built in 1539.

As we were stopped, a couple of cyclists came by - none other than Val and Norm from our Summer evening rides group. So we had a quick chat, enough to update Norm where we will be this coming Wednesday evening, and we waved them on their way. 

We continued along the river, and past The Cop (a skateboard park by a bend in the river as it heads out of town - apparently it used to be a warehouse that shipped Cheshire Cheese to London (taken from a blog, nothing on Wikipedia) - this had been deep in water earlier this week with flooding, high tides and high winds.

We had some very black clouds,
but only a tiny bit of rain in Shotton

At Saltney Ferry I again stopped, to assemble the riders and ponder whether to cross here and use the lane around the airfield to Hawarden, or continue on the river.  At this point I met Lionel, whom I have known for many years, and who rides with the Watsons Wanderers.  He said he had had quite a head wind coming down the river, but we should be OK (in fact it was across us, but I think slightly on our shoulder, so not too bad).

At Shotton we crossed on the blue bridge, and negotiated some paths to bring us to the side of the main road by Asda, where there is a quieter road to Aston.  We were then able to cross the main road on a bridge and continue to Hawarden.  After climbing Upper Aston Hall Lane, we paused in a gateway as Ruth's chain had come off.  We noted a rather fine gateway to a new small housing estate, and a small stone name plate which stated 'Poor Clare Colettines'.  Rowena recalled that there used to be a nunnery, and often the nun's would look after to bring cats back?  Mary Googled for us, and discovered that it was indeed a nunnery, for the nuns of Saint Collette who are now only really found in Picardy.  My own Google search found that the Nuns moved to a Nottingham Convent, due to rising maintenance costs.  The monastery was established in the late 1920's, when the steelworks was in full swing, so they had 'only' been there for 90 years 

Now we made our way to St David's park and across the main road using a selection of cycle and footpaths, and then on the Northop road to the Fisheries, another new cafe.

On arrival the other group was already there and had ordered, so we filled the other end of the long table the cafe had put together for us and placed our orders.

Heading back involved a tiny, steep and wet lane dropping down Shotton Lane to Shotton, where we crossed the river on the railway bridge, and then trundled back down the Greenway.

Blue skies and picnics

April in Pictures - as I got behind with my blogging:





April gatherings with stunning blue skies!  Leaves just appearing on the trees, and early blossom.

We headed across town via canal and river, 

I rather like taking pics along the canal, and today was no exception.

Crossing the Change Bridge, we headed to the river, through a little door in the wall.

Its not too early for shorts with this sunshine!

Second water crossing of the day, over the Dee.

After heading to Hawarden, we skirted the lower hills, 

Killins Lane, a small quiet lane that links Higher Shotton to Wepre, and specifically for us Wepre Park, crossing the Wepre Brook at the bottom.  My friend calls this 'wet lane' as it is always 'wet'!  It may be locally known as this too.

Another ladies ride, another cafe, our first visit to Old Hall cafe in Wepre Park.  

Perfect for picnicking!

Leaving Wepre Park we were able to pick up Route 5, which brings us nicely to the river path and an easy return to Chester.

A chance to have a photo with the Flint Bridge in the background.

Nearing Shotton Railway Bridge

"Looking forward to Saturday's ride .... Where is Drury?"

...was the email reply by one lady last week!

Drury, a tiny outpost of Buckley; where on a Sunday ride last August we passed a cafe and farm shop - and I noted this new cafe thinking it was not too far out!

I managed to get everyone signed and and outside - but sent off the FF group without a photo (whoops!) so after the safety talk Mr Rosie took our picture, and we were able to head out.  I had enough leaders today, but was in jeopardy of losing two at the cafe, as they both lived near to the cafe (well, nearer than coming all the way back to Chester!)



My head had stopped working, so Linda reminded me of her route, and we set off in two groups, but following each other.  The allowed us to catch up and wait from time to time.

One of the great things about cycling in Chester is that you come across different events through the year. Today was no exception as we negotiated the North of England 'Head of the River' race.  ("Established in 1935,as a 5km race for eights on the river Dee from Eccleston Ferry to the Groves, the first winners were Thames RC in a time of 18min 35sec.").  It was not a problem, we went slowly and tinged our bells, the rowers were all very lovely and polite (unlike the grumpy man who appeared

to be having a go at some girls for 'parking' their boat on the path outside his house - on the riverside.  It meant he as not able to swing in /out of his driveway in a manner he so desired and so had to have a go at them.  Well, don't buy a house on the river, next to an established rowing club, who may have races - oh, and get a smaller car you can manage!)

We continued to the racecourse, past the lovely display of daffodils outside whet is now Chester Uni (Used to be County Hall), and then stopped for a little re-group, to check Linda's group had safely navigated the boats.

We continued to follow the river, until Saltney Ferry bridge, where we met a bicycle polo player and his wife (he was just pottering along ion his bike with his polo stick and ball, she was jogging).  She thought it was fabulous to see a ladies cycling club, and wanted to stay in touch (I directed her to the Facebook pages and blog) - a little bit of networking can't go amiss!








We climbed up towards Hawarden, and dropped to Broughton, picking up the small lane that cuts out the roundabout - I do think it gives a cracking view of the runway, especially when it is lit up on a gloomy morning like today. (you may have to click on the photo to enlarge it and see lights!)


We climbed up the Old Warren, a bit of a surprise hill for some, and paused as we went through the gate at the top.  By now the weather had turned to fine misty rain - "the sort of rain you wouldn't notice if you were indoors"....

Not far now, through the Hawarden bluebell woods, short climb into Buckley, turning just after the railway line, and we arrived.  The faster group were already firmly established, as were our Wrexham chums (again - mind you we have not crossed paths for a little while!)

Wrexham Cafe Hoppers heading home

A lovely and quite large cafe was waiting, the cakes looked amazing and apparently the toilets were nice and new (I was too busy chatting!!).  The faster group made tracks and left us, and we headed off by about twenty to one after half an hour at the cafe.

By now it was decidedly damp, and the downhill to Ewloe left us dripping!




I managed to negotiate the big roundabout, and we navigated around and dropped down to Queensferry, where roadworks meant it was safer and easier to edge into the flow of traffic waiting at the lights, and turn right together and head for the blue bridge

Then we have a cycle path that brings us nicely back to the Greenway, by the other blue bridge, which we do not often see from underneath.

Many thanks to Alex for leading the faster ones out and Jane for bringing them back; to Linda for the route and also leading a second regular group out; and finally to Mary who shepherded the last riders back in (I had to head home as fast as my little legs will take me - which is not very! - for a family party in Manchester)

25 riders all together, 25 regular miles; 

Boxing Day Bash 2011

I will admit it is quite hard to drag yourself out of bed on Boxing Day, especially at 8am in order to catch the best of the day and be back early enough!  But that is indeed what a few ladies (and Tim and Dave mostly of Wednesday evening rides fame) did!

We have not managed the Boxing Day bash for a few years, due to snow and ice.  So, it was lovely to revive the tradition.  Four of us set off from Hoole down the Greenway, picking up Jo on the way.  We use a very straightforward route direct to the Railway Bridge where it croses the Dee, where we stopped for a photo and to soak up some of the warm but watery sun.



Boxing Day at Shotton Railway Bridge



Waves up the river



We then head back up the riverside path to Chester.  We had sun, but it was also very windy. however, we were fortunate to not be plagued by too much of a headwind, although we had a wonderful tailwind on the final approach into Chester - also causing huge waves along the river!



Blue Moon Cafe



Our ways parted by the Old Dee Bridge, but the ladies took the opportunity for a final coffee stop at the Blue Moon Cafe, before heading home to get the families up and moving!

18 miles.

The Hills of Hawarden

I know the title sounds ominous, but always remember that what goes up must come down!!



Gathering of the Girlies





With autumn here and trees a-changing, I thought it would be nice to head for the woods, and a new cafe for the group in Hawarden.  14 ladies gathered at the cafe in Kingsley, but with new faces and old friends we were a little delayed in leaving.  We negotiated Hoole and Boughton, dropping to the river and crossing the Old Dee Bridge.  A little drier than the last time we came across (see Aug blog post)!



We then took a turn to Nowhere (a fact I think missed most ladies - next time I will stop for a photo!)  The track along the river here is still a little muddy and undeveloped - but council plans are to improve this, so I look forward to re-visiting Nowhere another time!




Climbing The Warren

 

Leaving Chester down Lache Lane, we were harangued by a series of hay (?) tractors until we picked up Welna at Gorstella. Bretton, Broughton and up the Warren, to much dismay!  but we re-gathered at the gate and continued over the top, to then descend a super if not very potted road to the main road.  Unfortunately we had a final up, but not until a descent through Tinkersdale.








Negotiating the gate in Hawarden woods

 

Riding through Hawarden woods



The cafe (Gallery Tea Rooms) was fortunately larger than I remembered and were also very accommodating, and welcomed us all in!  less cakes today and more bacon butties and teacakes were consumed before the all downhill (completely brilliant!) return to the river and Chester.

20 miles