A little bit Lumpy and a little bit wet

Probably the least planning I have done for a ladies ride - I was late asking for leaders, and so late posting on facebook or emailing out that ladies were starting to ask if there was a ride, and then last minute decisions on where to go - to be informed my first choice is not open on Saturdays!  So, with a quick look at records (where have we not been for a while?), a speedy plot on my mapping system, quick event creation and email out we were ready to go!

19 ladies arrived at the cafe, milled around, and mostly signed in to the 'regular' steady normal paced ride, one taker for slow and one for fast!  Somehow it all settled out, and three groups of differing sizes set off into the Cheshire countryside.

Crossing the Gowy at Stapleford

The field in the background is
a large crop of Rape - in OCT!

The destination was Lockgate Cafe, which for years was referred to as 'cockroach cafe' - for no reason other than it was a slightly grimy if not functional 'caff'.  It has had a few re-incarnations over the last few years, when we last visited in 2011 it was called 'Flavours' (which never suited it!) but they did do the decking, and now it is a very pleasant little cafe - with plenty of space.

Lockgate cafe sits between the canal and the railway just over the hill from Beeston.  My group took a slightly deviated route via Duddon and Tarporley, stopping in the town to show off the CTC Winged Wheel, with an explanation about it.  But this route did make it a little bit lumpy! 

Winged Wheel

It is a good job that there is plenty of space in the cafe, as the Wrexham group were there again!  This is the third time this year, and becoming a bit of a habit!  I also met a few from the Ellesmere Port racing club, who I used to ride with (when I was 17) - so they felt old!

Wrexham - we will have to stop meeting like this!

Cream tea and friends

inside the cafe

The other half

Heading back, we divided up again, with Linda taking some on the 10 mile route, and I led what I thought was about 13, but turned out to be 15.

We headed up to Beeston, round, and down the other side.  Passing the Ice Cream Farm we crossed the A41 and climbed up Saighton to my favourite view - which looked rather grey and ominous.  Too late, it started to rain at Huntington.  I was very tempted to settle down at the Rake & Pikel, but we just donned waterproofs (those that had some!) and blasted back to the cafe.

A rather grey view!

Distances something between 25 - 30 miles - hard to gauge now with three groups doing different distances and different people in different groups.

I believe poor Mary had a puncture on the way back, and even the shorter route people got caught in the quite heavy rain - at least we were all heading home!

Clockwise round Beeston

Fabulous Flowers!

You can tell it is August by the clouds of impending doom!  I love our summers!

Eight of us mustered by the cafe, Terry was again coerced into taking our photo - well actually, he was lurking by the door as I think he quite likes to take our pics!

I could hear magical music coming from someones bag as we were about to leave - then realised it was my own phone (I think someone has tinkered with the ring tone as I did not recognise it). we were ready to leave, and I could not work out my voicemail, so left it (but put the phone in one of my back pockets in case it rang again.)

We headed out via Llittleton and Christleton, past the Crocky Trail and out via the 50p shop, to pass through Huxley and finally to Tiverton, where we dropped down the hill to the Lockgate Cafe, near Beeston.  A very friendly welcome was swiftly followed by bacon butties, drinks and cakes.  This was even more quickly followed by the arrival of some of the North End (Racing club from Birkenhead) - one of which was the boyfriend of one of the ladies.  what can I say!  they were very co-ordinated as usual, but we are too cool to be bothered by that!



Overlooking canal and lock

 We finally dragged ourselves away from the decked area and up the hill towards Beeston Castle, where we turned right (avoiding the sandstone trail ramblers!) to enjoy the views towards Tarporley and dropped round Beeston hill.  Ah! my apologies if the title to this post is misleading - we didn't actually go around  Beeston!  Never mind, we can do that another time!

We headed directly back past the ice cream farm, and Martins Lane to pick up the canal in Waverton. 



Beeston Castle

 Despite the clouds it did not rain, and we accomplished a not insignificant 28 miles by the time we got back to the cafe!

Apologies to Nicola, who was trying to ring me as we left.  Not only had she had a dash to local bike shop on discovering a puncture that morning, but she also took a wrong turn coming out to meet us!  Never mind, see you next month!

8 riders for the eighth month!