Sunny September

 Aah we made it to September, and this year more than ever is an opportunity to invite and welcome people back.  We had a small faster group who hit the lanes, whilst we set off up the Greenway on the tried and trusted route out to Nets.

The pictures say it all, really.

So, we arrived before the other group, but that is OK, they will be along soon.  They will have gone further, we reassured ourselves.

Sitting outside we all soaked up the sunshine and a variety of snacks.

However, when we finished, the other group were still not here.  I was a little worried - but the rolled in just as we were preparing to leave.  Nothing too untoward, just a puncture. But all resolved now.  We left them to their refreshments and headed back along the river.

Not lost

 We had another new cafe planned for July, The Lost Barn near Tilston.  We had a decent turn out, and beautiful weather.  What more can you ask for?

A slightly longer route, as it is the summer.  The Lost barn is a coffee roasting establishment, with hearty snacks and a selection of coffees (of course).  You can even buy old hessian coffee sacks!

Ducks and a giraffe

 This month the plan was to head across Chester and over the border to a new cafe in Kinnerton

Start up picture

Our numbers are still small, so we can ride as one group.  We dropped down to the river, and came across the Duck Race, due later that day.  Ducks of all sizes and colours, in aid of the Countess of Chester hospital.

We continued out on the river, over at Saltney Ferry and along the Saltney straight to Bretton.

Grosvenor Bridge

 

Walters is based in the old school in Kinnerton, which opened in Feb 2021 (still in the middle of pandemic times).  It is quirky to say the least - but very friendly and welcoming, with an incredible range of savoury rolls and sweetie brownie type cakes and cookies - you will be hard pushed to choose.

And a quick April shower before we leave!

The secret key

March, and daffodils abound.  An interesting aside, the Cheshire Cycleway Rides held each summer are known as the Bob Clift memorial rides.  I knew Bob and rode with him in the eighties, but a little fact (maybe urban legend now) was that he would sometimes plant bulbs by the wayside.  So, each spring I think of him as I see the daffs and other flowers coming out, and wonder if they were set there by him.

Anyway, this morning dawned bright, dry and not nearly as windy as we have had of late, no sign of the March Winds of the rhyme.  One leader had to cancel as she tested positive for Covid, it is still out there, but we still had six leaders and seven riders booked on

As we gathered outside, a work colleague of mine was passing, I had a brief chat, and managed to coerce him to stay a moment and take our photo (my usual photographer Ken was not around today).

We set off in two groups, my second slower group sometimes catching a glimpse of the other group ahead.  A nice steady pace; at first I was riding at 9mph, but as the group seemed fine I increased to 10mph.  I have a small Cateye computer on my handlebar, which helps me to know how fast I am riding and to maintain a steady pace for the riders.  We even upped it to 11mph (before we hit the hill!).  

We arrived to the cafe (I had not had chance to call earlier in the week, and trying to call in the morning brought no answer) and initially sat outside in the sun.  However the wind is still a little chilly so we transferred ourselves to the little nooks they have created.

The POffee used to be the PO for Burwardsley, and is situated on a pretty corner heading up the hill from Tattenhall to the Candle Factory.  Through lockdown she has been designing and adding to the garden (there were times, we reminisced, that you were not allowed inside cafes, and at this time last year you were not allowed to stop even outside and sit down)

The secret key!

Refreshed, we headed back to the bikes but as we were unlocking, Mary managed to drop her key which lodged firmly in her chain wheel.  Our science tech lady
(from Chester Uni) was able to release the key, but it was touch and go for a moment!  We also came to the aid of two other ladies - we had passed them twice on our way up but one had walked up the gill as her chain had come off.  Karen jumped to the rescue and put it back in place in seconds.  

A fab descent back to Tattenhall, where we waved adieu to Mary who was heading home via Farndon; as we headed past New Russia Hall to cross the A41 and up the hill at Saighton.  By now we had a tailwind, which is always welcome!

25 miles for my group :-)

 

Lessons learned!

No matter how long you have been doing something, there is always something else to learn!  Stay tuned to the end of this post for today's lessons.

Using the 'BookWhen' booking system allows myself and the leaders to know who is coming, plan groups and try to ensure people are with people they want to ride with and at the level (pace) they choose.  Today we had twelve riders (including leaders), so enough for two groups of six which is nice.

I was also able to let the cafe know how many were coming, so they were prepared.  Important when visiting some of our smaller venues.

Another bonus of booking in advance is that it limits mixing around at the start and you can focus on coffee and chat.

After our mandatory photo, my group set off first followed by our second 'slower' group.  We all went along the Greenway to start with as apparently the forecast was to be very wet and windy (although Sue pointed out this should be after 1pm).  We passed lots of people going each way, but two chaps decided to shout quite rudely to us (and even more aggressively to our second group) along the vein of 'get out of our way'.  The rest of their group (I heard the lady say 'we need to catch up to the other two) were OK, but it was one of our second group that called to them about how rude the first two were.  No club top I'm afraid so can't pin it to any cycling club in particular, as I would certainly be in touch with their club secretary.

My group turned off the Greenway where it was closed, just after the Dragon bridge over the A494, and headed toward the Blue Bridge at Shotton.  There is an interesting and useful (if not particularly pretty) network of bridges to cross the main road at the roundabout by Asda in Queensferry, which is great to avoid the roads and traffic.  This brought us to the bottom of the road up to Hawarden, and we made our way up, turning off left to skip around Mancot, avoiding the dead straight and slightly busier main road.

I will admit to a small mistake, where we turned right by the cemetery and not left - this I think may be a slightly steeper hill to bring us to the centre of the village (but probably not by much).

On arrival, as directed, we went around to the back of the cafe and parked up.  However, the first ones that went in came back out saying there was no room, and only one table of six.  The manager came out to welcome us, and invited us to the one table, reassuring us that a few were leaving and there will be another table soon.

Photo thanks to Collette, who took more pictures than me today!

As we settled I kept an eye our for group 2, who called me to say the cafe was full (the other manager had said there was no space) - I went out and directed them to the back and gave further reassurance that there was space - anyway, we all got seated in the end and the owners were very pleasant, accommodating and quick with the food, which was very tasty.  Who knew Breakfast Pizza was a thing!!!

All fed and watered, my group set off first - by now it is raining, windy and unpleasant.  I told the group the first part of the return journey (as there is a sneaky left turn, easy to miss) and we set off (having to send a volunteer to press the crossing button, so many cars coming through!).

Lovely descent past Tinkersdale car park, although you could feel the wind, and as we started to climb thorugh Tinkersdale (wonderful bendy road which slowly climbs to the roundabout with the A55) one rider passed me - I called out to watch for the left turn, but it was windy, and my voice may have been lost.

We all dutifully turned, and as I could not see our rider on the lane, I called her and left a message.  Further up I asked a walker if they had seen a cyclist, which they hadn't.  We continued up to the top, I called again and (long story short) we kept missing each other.  (said rider did get home safe, but her phone battery had been low)

My group dropped down the Warren, plans of a slightly longer route ditched as the weather was really not very nice, and we actually picked up the A5104 Saltney Straight - which now has a very nice cycle path all the way in, and it felt quite safe to plough home that way.  We started to drop people as we headed to the river; and caught the slower group as we left the canal at Hoole Lane.

And the lessons?

1) make sure phone batteries are charged - but also put a reminder on the booking form for people to have a charged phone before riding (or bring a charger)

2) to put a note on the booking for bookees to watch for a confirmation email, and let me know if not received

3) make sure everyone has heard the instructions given (about route to come, or potential risks!)

Anyway, all home safe, and not too wet, 21 miles.