Back to 'School'

I had a call from Kingsway, saying they were going to be closed again for our September ride, so we were looking for an alternative.  As it had been quite busy and unpleasant in Hoole, we had a collective think, with two options.  Near to Kingsway cafe is a sheltered housing build, which has a cafe/ bistro - unfortunately when I called in to enquire I was told it will be opening in January, so not an option yet.  Rick suggested Cafe Number One in Upton, who were happy to have us.

The cafe has a few cycle racks nearby, and a some car parking if required; they gave us the upstairs room which was kind, as they have some 'regulars' who come in.  It was a nice big room, but we are tucked away so may be hard to find. Anyway, we had nine riders, with a nice gentle and shortish ride to a new cafe. 

 

Being further away from the Greenway meant more road, but it was not too busy
and it was downhill, accessing the Greenway by the route near to Live! and Bren bikes - some did not realise this was a way on to the Greenway; you often learn something new with our rides!

It was a grey morning, with rain threatening (100% apparently, so you would struggle to get away with that!).  The Greenway is nice and sheltered with trees, so we managed to get a bit

further before we gave in and those who hadn't started off in raincoats could don them before getting too wet.  The shower was short lived thankfully, and we were soon at the red dragon bridge, where we left the Greenway to cut across towards the river - and into a very strong headwind!

The Olive Tree cafe is situated in Andy's Plants garden centre/ nursery, at the end of Sealand Road (on a dead end spur).  The ladies were very friendly and helpful, with a range of sandwiches and toasties, although you have to be careful where you park the bikes, as the tempting shed with 'outside wood store' was out of bounds (there is a shed sales company on the same site, and he was not impressed - we moved and apologised, I think he was OK about it.

We started to 'shed' riders as soon as we set off back, with Margaret heading back to Neston via the Greenway, retracing our route out; we battled the wind to the river, where we now had a smashing tail wind alongside and very full and fast flowing river as the ride roared in.

It was Chester Races again, so the racecourse path was out; but after crossing Sealand Road by the Cop we scattered a little, with Claire heading home, Team Tandem using a different route as the tandem doesn't bend awfully well to get around the Change Bridge, and Sarah who headed straight up Canal Street. We regrouped when we joined the Greenway again, for the final couple of miles home.

17 miles

She believed she could, so she did

In the midst of a fifth heatwave, we had a day of cloud which was most welcome.  However, Kingsway Cafe was closed for most of August, so we were homeless again and decided to meet at Okells in Hoole (see blog post from Feb this year).  So, Social's updated, I called to Kingsway 'just in case' and popped a poster on the
shutter.  I initially thought 'oh, the helpful charity shop can lend me some sellotape, and I will ask them to take it down' (my number was on it); but that was also shut, as was KANRA (Residents association).  So, Kingsway Barbers came to the rescue, but declined a photo!

Rick had kindly bought me a coffee, so I headed down to Okells and met the gang, all sat around a couple of tables.  I did suggest thinking about making it our new home; but we will have a think about it.

10 riders (9 bikes, as we had Team Tandem)

Car parking, and some bike parking

More bike parking at the side

Sarah was not riding so kindly took our photo, and after a chat we finally set off.  It was then a bit of a challenge to extract ourselves from Hoole, with a reversing lorry, queue of cars in Charles Street, busy Hoole Road to try to turn out onto (staying all together and with the car behind sounded their horn - rude!), and then a final synchronised right turn into Ermine Road.  After a tight left to join the Greenway we were finally on our way.

We joined the canal and headed for the river, where Sarah and I recalled our Wednesday evening just gone when we came this way to see the partial lunar eclipse.  There was a hive of activity at Saltney Ferry bridge, with quite a few cars and a couple of kayaks; I was wondering if there was a tidal bore coming through, but we were a bit late so I didn't want to stop and ask.

No photos after this!  We were on the main road, then with a few hills we were quite strung out.  Up and over Caer Estyn, dropping to Caergwrle and then a short bit of main road to the cafe.

Cabin in the woods.  A lovely stretch of road from The Holly Bush pub

Blog post title

The story goes that the owner of this cute little cafe used to run the nearby care home with her husband.  After he passed away she sold the care home, but started up the cafe, as she had always wanted to do this.  I understand the cafe opened a couple of years ago

Anyway, all refreshed and rested, we set off for home; losing riders at various points as people head directly home.  I had reversed the route we used to Alyn Waters last year (See August 2025 post, "Minor Mechanical Matters"), and it was perfect - the little lane is very near to the caff, and except one car was very quiet.  Then through Alyn Waters to Llay, with a downhill drop to cross the Alyn stream and A483.  

Almost autumnal as leave falling already

Showing how dry the weather has been

Before the railway bridge is a favourite lane of mine, alongside the main road to
bring us out at the bottom of Gresford Hill, and then directly back along the Old Wrexham Road and in to Chester via Eccleston and Handbridge.

By the time we crossed the Old Dee Bridge there were only three of us, but the river was very high, and I saw a few chaps with cameras, so I think the bore had just come through - shame we missed it.  After this I navigated us back to Kingsway.

25 warm and dry miles, a few hills, and more memories!  See you next month

Cheers!

 It is a long hot summer, but the perfect way to cool down is a short slow cycle ride, maybe in the trees, but with frequent water stops.

I had not long returned from a week cycling (on e-bikes)in Croatia, and we had frequent stops to rehydrate.  With two new riders out this month I did not want to scare them off, so we set off on a gentle trundle up the Greenway and along the canal.

Perfect blue skies!

Earlier in the year there was a fabulous couple of fields full of poppies, and despite the long dry spell there was still some colour to be seen.

After leaving the Greenway and crossing on the blue bridge we negotiated the elevated bridges at Queensferry, and made our way up through Mancot and Ewloe, heading for a new community cafe at Buckley (The Rise).  However, after spending some time navigating footpath barriers with the Tandem, disentangling a stuck chain, and small medical issue, Team Tandem decided to head back home, and the rest of us agreed that Buckley, with additional hills, was a stretch too far and we decided to set our sights on Hawarden Farm shop instead.

On our way, we paused at the top of the hill in Hawarden, and I noticed a door and what looks like a font, very old, that I had not seen before.

And indeed, it is a 'House of Correction', possibly dating from 1740! Read about them here

I can't see anything about the 'font', though.  I welcome any thoughts.

Anyway, we had a delightful and refreshing stop at Hawarden Farm shop, before dropping down to the edge of Sandycroft, and around Hawarden airport. 

Back along the river, and canal.  We do have some delightful waterways and cycle routes in Chester!

Cheers!

Coffee Done Right

 Halfway through the year already!  My summer plans had wobbled a little, as it was my big girl's 30th birthday, but she may of may not be working.  So hubby and I instead booked a 'Boat and Bike' Cruise in Croatia.  Cross reference e-bike post last month as we ended up on 'e's - but maybe I'll do another post about that.

Suffice to say I was then away for the Fab Ladies, but a few leaders kindly stepped in, plotting a route to Kelsall and arranging the finer details.

Photos courtesy of Linda and Collette:

Well the sky certainly looks ponderous but as usual we brighten any dull day.  As I am behind and writing this blog post in August, we are at the end of what is being described as the fifth heatwave this year, so this looks nice!

Jane posted on the Whatsapp "Fabulous ride ladies and fabulous cake xxx"  Probably sums it up!

Well, it certainly looks a nicer day now - this is a lesson to all who draw back the curtains in the morning and decide not to come!

This is apparently 'Coffee done right' - as stated in the window of the cafe.  To me, Coffee done right is after a ride with fabulous ladies!

Other quotes:

"Thank you for a great ride and thanks Linda for leading our group"

"Thank you Linda , I really enjoyed the ride 😀🚲🚲"

"Thank you for a lovely bike ride 🚴‍♀️"

Meanwhile, a 'postcard' from Croatia...