Handing over the reigns

No, I am not leaving or giving up the Fab Ladies, but sometimes I am also away.  This means I can't really write about what went on, who was out, what we got up to - or photos.  But I can sometimes relay some of the behind the scene's chat, and what I get to hear about instead.

Last year I created a Chester Cycling Community on Whatsapp, to try to have one place for all chats and conversations with ladies leaders, Fab ladies, Wednesday evening Rides, and Sundays.  

Postcard from Tresco

I notified the leaders I was not available - it was a cousin's (My mum's cousin) 100th birthday earlier in the week, and I wanted to visit, which we combined with a
short trip to the Scilly Isles.

Sarah was collecting chickens, Sue was supposed to be at a wedding, but she was not sure if it was going ahead or not (that doesn't sound good!); but Collette managed to change her appointment and Rowena was also free.

They decided on a cafe, and checked both Kingsway and Ginger & Pickles in Tarporley were open (see February for cafe closure!), and Linda plotted a route.  

Collette added on Whatsapp "My only photo from today was the choice of cakes 🍰 🤣 Great ride even with the change in weather throughout the morning/afternoon"

Nicky posted "Loved it today ladies.. even with the bit of wind and rain.. thank you".

It doesn't look windy or rainy in the photos?!

"Lovely cafe even if our second group had to wait a while for our order to be delivered but it was delicious"

That hot chocolate looks fantastic!

Jean said "Thank you fab ladies for a great ride and only one April shower"; Karen noted her thighs were still aching!

Collette messaged me "Hope you’re having a lovely time Sue. You’ll be pleased to know that I led my first CFL ride & didn’t lose anybody or get lost with thanks to Mary back marking & using Linda’s route"; Mary added she was brilliant 'as you would expect'. 

Closed roads

Fabulous blue skies and sunshine for March

March brought another very sunny day, with a plan to head to Cleopatra's in Holt.  A standard ride, we headed out through Handbridge and Eccleston, allowing us the closed road of Rake Lane down to the Old Wrexham Road.  

The barriers led to some funky shadows on the road

How marvellous to be able to sit outside in March!

An alternative cafe

 I was still not really up to riding my bike by the February ride, and the forecast was going to be cold and freezing again.  Undeterred, I offered to meet anyone who wanted to join me at Kingsway cafe, for coffee and a chat.

But when I arrived Kingsway cafe was shut!  I had even notified them earlier in the week that we were calling in, but had not heard back; the ladies in the Kingsway charity shop had the number for the manager so I called her, and she apologised that they were short of volunteers this week.

On my arrival Elaine was outside waiting. We chatted for a while, as we decided what to do - it was such a lovely sunny day!

Then Anna walked up, we explained that the cafe was shut, and we were pondering what to do.  I was considering all going back to my house, but Anna had her doggy with her.

We updated Anna with our conversation so far.

Then Mary arrived; she had said she may drive over to meet us.  We explained that the cafe was shut today, and relayed some of our chat again to Mary.

Quite a little group now.

Then Sarah arrived.  We all explained that the cafe was shut, and what we had been chatting about - Sarah suggested we walk over to Okells in Hoole, and we agreed we may as well have a little walk and chat over coffee, it was a lovely sunny morning after all!

Beware of Ice

 I have been cycling for may years, and in all weathers.  I have ridden in frosty weather, snowy weather, and only once come off on ice.  I had cycled to school, I was in sixth form across town and use to park my bike at my friend's house (safely tucked away in her parents garage).  My home road and all the roads in between were not slippy, due to traffic, but her road was very quiet and so a little icy.  I turned the corner but my bike did not.  I was not hurt, and sheepishly got up hoping no-one saw me, and cycled the last bit down her road.

However, last week I was not so lucky.  On the Sunday ride we had met in Chester, and despite the forecast for snow later in the day, we headed out on the river.  It was cold and started to snow lightly as we set off, but it was wet fresh snow and a flat route, and we endured the cold wet onslaught, laughing at the absurdity.

Nets was closed so we had gone to Ness gardens instead, and after enjoying refreshments agreed to call it a day and head home.  By now the sun had come out and it looked beautiful.  But the temperature had also dropped and, although the mainish road by Ness gardens was clear, the side road dropping back down to the marshes was not, and I came a cropper, slamming down on my right side.

Long story short nothing was broken but I was too sore to ride this month; with very low temperatures forecast again the leaders also cancelled this month's ride altogether.

I decided to walk Chester Parkrun (Parkwalk) instead, and that was quite slippy too, with temperatures dropping even after 9am.  So certainly the right choice!

There are always photos

As for Septembers post, I'm afraid I am writing this in May 2026, just before our next ride.  So memories, chats, comments and experiences are lost in my memory, but I do have photos!  And clearly in an order my computer has decided to post them!

Coffee and cake at Walk Mill.

Wet lanes but blue skies

most importantly, no ice!

Could this be our Christmas card next year?!

 

Autumn Confetti

I have often thought November is the best month for autumn colour, and this year has been exceptional!  Even on gloomy days the view is lit up by the variety and bright colours we have had, and even now enough leaves are hanging on to give a fabulous display.  But not for long, and our routes today with just a gentle wisp of breeze was enough to bring some leaves fluttering down like confetti.  Magic!

We split into two equal groups, and after the photo (the kind charity shop lady obliged again!) we sent of Linda and Sarah's group, followed shortly by ourselves.

I decided this morning, for a change, to go straight through town, we often avoid
this but it was quite quiet and we were a small group, and I just wanted to see some of our sights, for a change.  So around the amphitheater we went, and dropped all the way down Lower Bridge Street, where we saw the other group as they came from the Groves to cross the Old Dee Bridge.

Heading out to Eccleston, and then the Old Wrexham road, we were again in sight of the first group.  But they, like us, stayed in twos and in a neat group; it was
very clear that although there were a couple of cars caught behind them, when they did pass they were indicating, and passing wider and slower, as they were also for us.  It can feel very daunting, our instinct as cyclists is to 'get out of the way' and we expect cars to be getting fed up and impatient; but this did not seem to be the case today.

After diverting off the main road we passed the other group in Rossett, where I stayed on the main route through before turning onto the most delightful little
lanes around Hoseley; the other group looped around Darland and back to Rossett which meant they climbed the steep B road hill up to the cafe, but did also get them there a good half an hour before us!  We instead had a little climb to a wonderful road contouring the back of Marford and Gresford, with superb views across Cheshire, with Beeston and Peckforton hills taking the limelight.

At this point Mary shared that there is a geographical feature near to us, the only place locally where there was a glacier.  Who knew!  Gresford Glacier!  No, really it was a thing.  I had to Google this, and the following sites are really worth a read (if you are interested!) - Maes-Y-Pant country park site has some history, which explains why there are large coal deposits locally (Gresford Quarry) and the sand and gravel pits (left by glaciers); an assessment report of Gresford Lake by Ymddiriedolaeth Dyfrdwy Cymru (The Welsh Dee Trust) for the local council (some interesting ecological data); information about a Kettle Hole (it gets better) from Scottish Geology Trust, and specifically Vicarage Moss (as behind us in the picture)

The trees towards the right are down a steep drop, 
there is a lake, or flash, in there, and is noted on the 
map image below...

...the little green circle indicates where we were 
for the photo; you can see the lake ('Kettle Hole')
and note the contours swooping away
to the right, below the text 'Hoseley Bank Farm'

Well, that was a diversion from writing the blog!  Back to it....

We came into Gresford near The Plough, and crossed over to skirt Gresford Flash, the church, and to drop down the steep hill and under the railway.  Then just a short climb to a road around a quarry, bringing us to the top of the hill (Mary has a name for it, but I can't repeat it here.  Suffice to say it sort of rhymes with  'bucketty', but starting with an 'f'!)

We finally arrived at Rackery Cafe and Farm Shop, a new cafe for us, and we sat inside as the only table outside in the sun was populated by the first group.  Lovely food, a nice natter, and we set off after the others had left, with a speedy 40mph descent back down Croeshowell Road (no chance of a turn towards Burton!) and then just followed the B road home.

A nice round 30 miles, back home by 2pm in time to cut the grass and a little gardening.  Fireworks tonight!

Elephants and Castles

 

A small select group met at Kingsway, with just me as leader.  To ensure numbers were manageable I set up a 'Book When' booking, so this is why a small number of riders.

We enjoyed a dry, colourful ride out to Bunbury, to Tilly's.

On the way back I showed the ladies (if they had not already seen it) our own 'Elephant and Castle', created by the stoneworker to the Peckforton estate in 1859.  It is unknown why he carved it, but the mason also was 'foremason' for Grosvenor Bridge in Chester, and some favourite Stone Lions I always look out for in Tattenhall.

Elephant and Castle sandstone carving

After this, the sun came out!

Looming black clouds

 I'm a little behind writing this post I'm afraid (May 2026!) but trying to have a catch up.

I lost my mum in the September, just as I was away for a week; but I was back for the ladies ride.  We met, we chatted, we set off with every intention of heading to Nets cafe; but as we headed up the river there were the blackest of black clouds lurking and heading for exactly where we were heading.

So I caught up to Rick at the front, and we debated and agreed to get ourselves to the Chapel Cafe at Saltney Ferry before the downpour, which we managed just in time!  A gentleman came in shortly after us; he was wet through and wanted to know how we were so dry.

I did manage some photos, but headed home after the cafe.

THAT is going to be wet, very wet!

How are you all so dry?

Quite a different day afterwards!