Never mind the Bollards!

November ladies ride, shortly after bonfire night and before remembrance Sunday.  The morning dawned bright and sunny, with blue sky and very little cloud.  Quite cold but not yet frosty.

Twenty cyclists gathered (eventually - Alex succumbed to a drawing pin, experienced by Linda last month). We were quite delayed leaving,partly waiting for Alex, then an ominous bulge in a front tyre which meant we had to send Lisa back to her car to sort it out and re-pump; then words were had with a member of the residents committee re: parking and 'cycling on footpaths' - but eventually we were able to set off.

My second group nearly caught up with Linda and Jo's first group at the Old Dee Bridge; they then headed to Eccleston whilst we nipped through Catholic High school and Dukes Drive to Westminster park and out on Lache Lane to Kinnerton.

We passed within 50 yards of the cafe - but don't tell anyone!

Approaching Kinnerton

Autumn lanes

At Kinnerton I had a 10 mile route to the cafe planned, but a slower member had held us back a little (they did go straight to the cafe with Gill) so I dropped a couple of miles and we tiddled round the lovely lanes from Kinnerton Green to Burton Green.  With the sun still shining we headed left towards Burton - and passed Linda and her group going the other way! smiles and waves all round (too quick to get my camera out!)




We got to the cafe before the other group, and were able to get served and sat before they came in.

We gathered for a quick photo before we set back off - nearly all of us for the photo that is!

leaving Chester Lakes

On the direct return via Lache Lane - still in blue skies and with the warm sun shining - I noted an incredibly large and unusual looking cloud

 lurking to our right - very pretty but also very suspicious.  Partly because of that and partly as I had quite a large group and did not want to try to negotiate town (Christmas shopping in full swing!) I led the group on a slightly circuitous route from the college round Handbridge and Queens Park, to cross on the suspension bridge (which we walked across!).  On arrival via Boughton to the Canal near Harkers - the towpath was awash - there had clearly been a recent downpour here.  I pointed out to the ladies that this was the reason we had wandered around south Chester!

wet canalside!

crossing to Dukes Drive

through the trees

20 riders, two groups, both cycled 17 miles out, and returned to complete 25 miles for the morning!

(I did not explain the title...shortly before the photo of us crossing the road Jane managed to fall sideways - I maybe did not shout clearly enough that we were stopping - or it may be one of those clipless pedal moments.  Shortly after the second photo above, as all the ladies tried to pass through a gateway with a lone bollard another lady also tippled off.  Blame it on the bollard!  All were OK.)





1 minute after I got home and put my bike away the most incredible hail shower (and thunder) fell - you can see the hailstones on my driveway here!!!

Autumn hills and tracks

Time to dig out the winter jackets and gloves - until you hit the first hill!  

 21 ladies congregated at the cafe for the October ladies ride.   I was welcoming all as usual, answering the multitude of questions and catching up with people, as I realised I was surrounded by riders but no leaders yet!  I do not get chance to hear or answer my phone, so was not aware that Linda had punctured on her way in - met by Joanne and helped by a few passing chaps (they do love to help out a damsel or two in distress, and there is no harm in accepting help if it means a speedy tube change!).  We compared routes, selected a group and dragged the women out of the cafe.


I sent Linda off with the further faster group first; shortly followed by Joanne who led out on the greenway.  We then headed up Mannings Lane to cross by the lights - and then down to Mickle Trafford.  We followed the Cheshire Cycleway to Manley, before sidling off to the left and up a sneaky hill.  There then followed a small discussion and advice about using gears on hills - when you are very used to gears and your bike it is easy to forget how confusing it can be - and how hard it makes it if you select the wrong one going up a hill.







Continuing to Manley common and down Dark Ark Lane - what a great name! - and under the railway before climbing - all a bit up and down really.  I was getting blamed as I said the hill from Manley was the last one - well, maybe one little fib is needed now and then to keep us going!








We ended a little strung out on the last hill, so I was trying to direct the ones at the front to the next turn off (trying to remember where it was) and then trying to be at the back also to make sure everyone was OK and still standing!  We re-grouped at the junction,before heading into Delamere Forest along Forest Farm road which takes you directly to the cafe at Linmere.

On arrival we took over all the cycle stands, then took over half the cafe!

There was much trying on of cycle tops, as the ladies decided which size they would be better choosing in the next top order.  I knew there was a reason to have our names on the tops, as several were passed between each other!










 Time to leave - back on forest farm road so we left as one group, intending to follow the same route but with the second group leaving a respectable gap to allow cars to pass if necessary.  


The road to Kelsall contours through little spurs of forest, and with glorious views across Ashton and fields with sheep to rather black and grisly looking Welsh hills.  At Kelsall we all caught up, before heading down the hill.  This is the last I saw of Joanne's group, as we turned left near the bottom, but it is a hard turn to see and Joanne and her ladies sailed past enjoying the hill too much!  Following a vote when they reached the A54, they retraced the short distance to the missing turn and followed on.  By now, however there was quite a large gap and despite waiting at Tarvin, we did not see them.

Apparently, they found a fab roadside cake stall,so had to stop and check that out!








I led my group right towards Tarvin, then we turned left alongside the new houses to follow Broomheath lane and across the A51.

As we were heading to Waverton, Mary dropped back as she had a fly in her eye.  It was only when she rejoined us at Walk Mill that she explained she was missing a lens from her glasses - which was where the fly headed!

I had a lunch date so sent the final three on to Kingsway, others had split earlier.

Views of New Zealand

Not actually an evening just for ladies; but one led by a special lady.


The Face book event blurb read...."In early 2011 Emma cycled the length of New Zealand, starting in Cape Reinga at the top of north island, to Bluff at the bottom of south island. This was a completely solo unsupported expedition, on a fully loaded touring bike. Emma carried everything for the whole duration of the trip completely on her own. The total mileage was nearly 1800 miles over 28 days, incorporating unbelievable climbs, fantastic scenery, tears, sunburn and many other trials and tribulations each and everyday.  Emma has a fascinating story to tell which should make for a very interesting and entertaining evening."

What an interesting, sometimes funny, sometimes awesome tale, told with such enthusiasm!  Emma started in the north island, which looked fabulously tropical; suffered serious sandfly bites, had all sorts of weather, superb scenery, busy towns, lots of amazingly friendly people.  She was on the national radio - several times.  Emma showed us video clips, and shared her travelling friend, Kevin the Kiwi, with us.

Emma can probably add more information...I'm afraid I did not take notes!

The bike factory did us proud again with wine, drinks,cakes, nibbles.  The fodder was supplemented by Ruth, with her 'fuelled by cake' book promo; and examples from the pages were passed around.

Copies of this book are available from Ruth, all monies going to charity.  They are usually available on the ladies rides!

A very informal affair

It came to my attention recently that following the opening of a new cycle route (actually I am sure it is a shared route!) across Burton Marshes, a new cafe had promptly opened up.

This had to be investigated!

The ride to Net's cafe is entirely off road (apart from the industrial estate but that is quiet at the weekend); so rather than splitting into groups I decided to have a couple of leaders at the front and two at the back to make sure no-one was left behind.

25 ladies met among the usual hubbub in Kingsway cafe - which feels like home now!!!  As we were leaving a few cyclists were arriving - I said it was OK, we were leaving- to which he said 'why is it when we arrive all the ladies leave!!!'.  They were from Southport, had come to Chester by train and were going to cycle back. One of them knows Juliette, the lady who set up and leads the Southport Bicycle Belles.  Small (cycling) world!  Anyway,one of them very kindly took our start up group photo (whilst the other chaps took photos of us with their cameras too!!!)

Setting off across Lime Tree Fields

Crossing blue bridge over
main road near Sealand

Off we went, although the car that stopped to let us across the zebra crossing had a bit of a shock!  The weather was dry but a little grey, and as we crossed the railway we had a flypast from the red arrows.  I was not quick enough with my camera, so I have used the image I found for last time we saw them on a ladies ride.  They were on their way to Southport Air Show.





When we got to the turn off we waited to re-group before the slightly more complicated 'zone 3'.  As we waited I was told there had been a puncture; but the lady in question I knew would be able to fix it; and also knew that my back stop ladies would be coming through.

As the waiting group grew, I thought it may be wise to send half on ahead so that orders could be got in and to avoid too long a queue at the counter.  Seconds later it rained - sorry girls!!!

Puncture fixed - and mucky hands to proove it!

Crossing the Boardwalk

Approaching Burton Point

Finally all came through, and we could then continue to the cafe, negotiating the roads and junctions.  The route is very well signposted now, and soon enough we were on the short boardwalk by Burton point, a wonderful sandstone bluff.





Net's cafe is just along from the gates, and has lots of outdoor seating; which was fortunate as it was by now gloriously sunny and warm.  Then it is just down to the serious business of refreshments and conversation - something all the ladies excel at!!!!

Net's cafe

Heading home was the usual 'ten little indians' - or in this case 30 little Indians (4 ladies met us at the cafe and I found another one on the greenway heading home - so technically 30 ladies were out!) as people split off to head home- or for some reason in several cases to go and get their hair cut!  Ah where is the Cycletta village when you need it!!!!

24 miles, 25 riders (+5!)

Bec's Big Bike Ride - our small part

I saw an article in cycleclips, the e-newsletter of CTC,about a young lady pedaling around Britain for a charity close to her heart.  I looked at the information, and she was passing through/ near to Chester on Sunday 18th August; so I got in touch.

After a couple of emails and a phone conversation with her dad (main support vehicle/ adviser /mechanic), we had agreed on a meeting point and time, and I sent / advised a route for the end of her day; from Broughton to Prenton on the Wirral.  An ideal opportunity to use our new marsh route!

In the morning was our CTC Sunday ride, and the day dawned with sunny blue skies.  I was lulled in to a false sense of summer; so pedaled 30 miles in the morning, which included some closed and quiet roads (courtesy of Etape Mercia), and rain showers. Darn it!

In the afternoon I rode out to Broughton retail park, arriving seconds after Beccy and a chap called Martin (CTC member from Hawarden) rolled up.  We enjoyed a short coffee (OK, a large coffee) until it started to rain; as soon as the rain finished we set off.

Blue Bridge near Hawarden

We headed through Broughton, and up to Manor lane, before turning left and out to Shotton.  We crossed the river Dee on the Blue Bridge, before joining the river path and then 'Zone 3' and the Burton Marshes.

Introducing Beccy, honarary Fab lady!

Martin and Beccy about to turn
into the industrial estate
that leads to the Marsh road

Beccy is cycling 2,500 miles, and today was day 8 of four weeks and a day planned out.  She is raising money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND); and especially in memory and for her mum who they lost to MND only last year.  She wanted to celebrate life and her own health.  She is certainly doing that!

After we crossed the Marshes, we met our own Nicky, who helped us to negotiate Neston (I was a little fuzzy after the Harp) - no that reads wrong - we did not stop at the Harp (that is not why I was fuzzy!) - I just had not been that far before and was not sure how it all linked together.  No need to worry, it is all beautifully signposted now through to the Wirral Way.

I have to admit I ran out of steam.  As we came into Neston, I realised the reason I was dropping behind was the additional miles this morning, and lack of fuel.  I am so used to regular/ sensible cafe stops, that I forgot I had only had a small cheese and ham toastie in Frodsham; and that was 35 miles previously!  We came upon some shops just in time, and I got some flapjack hob nob bars.  It helped a little, and I hope I did not slow Beccy down,after a long ride from Wales via Bala.

L-R: Martin; Nicky; Sue; Beccy; Beccy's dad, Will.

Top Tip - always carry food, eat enough to fuel you along, and keep drinking!

You can read Beccy's blog and follow her progress, donate if you like, or follow the link to find out a little bit more (and sign a 'charter').

(me - just 84 miles for the day - 20 with Beccy)

Destination Donkeys

I hunted high and low, I looked everywhere.  I was trying to remember when I last used it - probably the Wednesday evening ride the week before, as I knew I had not had it last Wednesday.  In the end I resigned myself to the fact I could not locate my camera in time for the ladies ride this morning.  Disappointing, but my (new) smartphone does take nice pics,so that will have to do.  (Those who know me at all know how often I pull my camera out before during and after a ride!)

I was expecting a lot of ladies; so it was in a bit of a panic that I arrived in to the cafe - people inside and outside the cafe.  I managed to disperse three sign in sheets, and get myself a coffee.  I didn't, however, take my start photo, so this post has a bit of a boring start.

Linda set off with her mid paced and distance group, whilst I tried to phone the cafe (note to self: I absolutely have to do this a few days before!).  Then we set off, and lastly Welna with the most direct route.

The sky was uniformly grey, there was no rain which is good, but no sun either, although it was not too cold.  We headed out on the Greenway to Mickle Trafford,then widdled round Christleton and Waverton, along the canal and over sneaky Golden Nook Bridge (often catches people out with a steep climb over the canal).  On out to Huxley, then through Tarporley and up to Utkinton.

Finally I could take some photos!!!!  (These have already appeared on the facebook group page)

Taking over the conservatory

Two all day breakfasts please!

Note bikes along the fence- but not a donkey to be seen?

Then we found the donkeys!  Now they have all sorts of animals,not just donkeys.  But they also had baby animals, sooo cute!

Little goats were keen to say hello!

Ladies visiting the animals

Baby donkey - toooo cute!!!!

The time came to return - although a small contingent headed to Kelsall to another deli - The Greedy Pig, owned and run by another Fabulous Lady (Raina).  Linda led one group back, and another group assembled to head straight back.  Seven of us followed the road the two miles to our second destination.

Fabulous You and the sun finally came out!

Fab ladies at The Greedy Pig in Kelsall, enjoying a second coffee stop!

As we were sitting, we noted a number of racing Kelloggs tops coming round the corner and heading up Kelsall hill.  Part of the Manchester to Wrexham and back 100 mile fundraising cycle ride - and they continued to pass us for the rest of the ride home.  Which was mostly downhill!

As we headed back the usual parting took place at various junctions, until there were just three of us heading along the canal , where we spied some little black fluffy baby coots!






27 riders, with 24, 28 and 30 summer miles!  Three cafes, if you include Kingsway at the start!