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

The long way round

Back to the ladies rides for a new year of cafes and fun, our 10th birthday year.  The first planned destination was about the closest cafe we visit, unless we loop back to Kingsway!  Meadow Lea is a large cafe at the Mickle Trafford end of the Greenway, they were our Chester & N. Wales cafe of the year in 2015.  They are accommodating and even allow dogs, so I phoned ahead earlier in the week and booked for about 20.

34 riders turned up!  In fact, there were more, as Jane went straight to the cafe as she thought she had missed us (but in fact arrived at Meadow Lea before my group had even set off!), and Helen had been waiting for a delivery from B&Q, which came earlier so allowed her and two other newbies to come straight to Meadow Lea and meet us.

One new rider had only got fingerless cycling gloves, and I thought it was quite a chilly day.  On my way back from getting cash at the Co-Op, I popped into the chemist - they were selling kids woolly gloves for £1.  Bargain.  A few ladies popped in - not the warmest gloves but better than none!

As it was quite a cold morning, I brought out one group at a time to set them off, and see who was left so we could balance groups out.  First off, as usual, was the faster further group, headed by Alex.  It was so busy I did not remember to take their photo; they had a longer route planned so of they went.  Apparently they nearly stopped at The Bluebell Cafe, but we do try to all come together so they continued past.

Group 2, led by Sonia - I had to steal two leaders from this group to set up a fourth! So I sent these ladies on their way next.

Group 3, formed with Linda and Cheryl as leaders, posed nicely for their photo too. They then set off (after a hurried route discussion.)

Group 4, my group.  Mr Rosie, our usual photographer, his fingers must have got too numb waiting in the cold, as no picture is on my camera.  In fairness, he did say to check but I know his pictures are usually good.  Will be checking from here on!

So, I had the shortest distance, which was a good job as by the time I had everyone sorted it was 10:30 before we left.  I had some new and a little nervous riders, so we waited and kept together.  Past the Zoo, no animals out today! Down Butter Hill and long the road above the canal.  

The one photo I took on the way!

It was a very simple route, and the weather remained grey and gloomy - in fact I am sure it was getting darker!  

'Before' photo of cakes -
although there is not an 'after'
as they replenished them all!

My group were first to arrive at the cafe, who had laid out a long table through the middle of the cafe!  As the groups started to arrive, the queue grew and snaked around the somewhat horrified and bemused local customers - it is a surprisingly popular destination so it was a good job I had booked ahead.

We sat and supped, I mingled and chatted to as many as I could, makes a nice change being first in and served early!  People drifted away, as we were at the end of  the greenway it is such a short hop home we did not nee dto reform into groups, although I did bring the last stragglers home.  I returned with as many as I left with, although different faces except 1!

Afternoon tea and Farewell ride to Hildegard at Holt

Hildegards tea rooms at the cross in Holt has become a favourite of cyclists over the last four years.  Prior to that she ran the cafe at Waterways (near Wrexham industrial estate) and before that she was at Bellis's, when it was a small friendly cafe.  

A couple of years ago she was diagnosed with leukemia but recovered and had the all clear following treatment.  However, she is unwell again,and so is returning to her family in Munster (Germany).  I really wanted to pop down and see her again,and with her well, so an afternoon tea ride was shared on facebook for anyone to come and join me.

5 ladies met at the Piper in Hoole, and (after I popped back home for the card I had got out) we set off to Caldy Valley and Saighton, where we met Kath (from Farndon).  It was a lovely sunny afternoon as we dropped past Saighton Grange and along the lanes and back lanes to Churton.

I spied a big black and ominous cloud over Wales (you have quite a good outlook from these lanes,across the lower Dee valley), and pondered if we would make it in time before it struck - if it was indeed coming our way.  A few light spots worried me, but we carried on regardless past the Lions and into Farndon.

We met Welna and Stephen already parked outside in the sun (although they were experiencing different weather every five minutes ( jacket on, sunglasses off; sunglasses on, jacket off!).

Coffee Tea and Cake (CTC!) shared around and hugs and best wishes - and a photo with the selfie stick (I don't know why people keep laughing at me with my selfie stick!)


We parted company, and I set off with Caroline and Kath to Borras Head, and along the fab
 
contour underneath Gresford, with extravagant views across Cheshire to Frodsham, Beeston and more.  Caroline continued up and Kath and I diddled around the Hoseley lanes before also parting company.  

Spring lanes around Hoseley

Wild garlic along Duke's Drive in Chester

Showers, Flowers and Wind

'March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers' as the saying goes - and we had all three today!
At 9:30 the sky darkened.  As grey clouds slipped over the previously tantalising blue and sunny morning, the promise of a faulty weather forecast also dwindled!  

As requested everyone who was planning to come had let me know (except one lady who had a new email address and therefore had not had my email, and one brand new who did not know).  21 riders assembled, signed in and then grouped under cover for the start up photo.

We sent of Alex with the regular/ furtherish group (only two leaders today, therefore only two groups) before I set off with the slow and steady.  Several new faces out today which is always nice!




Using the greenway to get going, we headed to Mickle Trafford and then the A56 - a bit further than usual to include Dunham Hill (sneaky climb).  

We could see the black clouds heading our way, and after a descent and being passed bythe faster group (they had had a detour!) it started to rain.  

Not too bad at first, but I had to backtrack as I changed my mind about the route - and this brought us to a heavier shower.  

The rain shower was very short lived and soon we were climbing the back lanes of Barrow, between deep sandstone cuttings topped with bluebells.





The cafe was very busy despite me phoning ahead and warning that 21 of us were on our way!  We took over slightly (!), and even had to send the Wrexham Cafe Hoppers away (sorry guys!) as there was just not enough room (even then people were nearly sitting on each others knees!).

Just before we headed back off, I wanted to explore the bluebell woods.  Barrowmore Estate is part of the Cheshire Bluebell Recovery Project.

We then regrouped and set off, with slight changes to riding groups and a nice downhill start (the sun still shining!).  It was at this point I realised that,due to waitress service, I had forgotten to pay!  Flo was heading back that way, so I gave her my money and she kindly offered to pop in on her way back and pay my bill (and one other lady,not just me!)


Then we had a very windy return along the A51 (footpath) to re-join the lanes and head through Guilden Sutton and Pipers Ash and back.



21 ladies, 15 and 22 miles.  

Excellent start to the New Year

counting wheels and
quick information session

It most certainly was, with blue skies and sunshine, 14 riders, and 25 miles to the Chocolate shop in Tarporley and back.  What more can I say!

It was a very cold start to the day - well, actually it stayed about freezing all day.  some new faces, again and some people who had not been out for ages. 

We set off through Littleton, and in Christleton took a little side leg to shake off a men's cycling group who had attached themselves to the back of our group. We then picked up the canal to Waverton, carried on to Old Waverton, and on out to Huxley.  At this point there were many many horse boxes - but I have no idea what was on.  no horse events were listed on the t'internet when I looked later, and I even contacted the North West Cheshire horsey people and they did not know.

Re-group at Waverton

The lanes were also unusually busy - I am guessing it is still the sales and people getting back into the swing after the Christmas and New Year break.

last hill before coffee!

Invasion by the Ladies!

I called ahead to the Chocolate Shop - good job I did as Tarporley is a particularly busy little village! even they the three tables were not enough and I sat with an older lady who looked a little displeased at all these people....I turned on the charm and chatted to her, she was actually quite interested, and was asking questions about pedals - no, really!

  

We headed back initially along the A51, it is a downhill swoop and short lived before we can turn left onto Corkscrew lane.  aaaand....breathe!

We passed two more cafe's on our way back to Waverton (50p shop and Walk Mill) and then back.

I had an interesting conversation in Waverton - the whole 'fabulous' name was brought into question.  I regailed a few with the rationale behing the name for the Chester Ladies, and realised not everyne knows.  So, I have added a 'history' page to the blog now - all will be revealed!

25 Miles.

June ladies ride - two year anniversary!

Yes - this June ride marks the two year birthday for the Fabulous Ladies!  It feels like we are finding our feet, which is about right for a two year old!

12 eager (?!) ladies met at the cafe, and as the sun broke through the grey clouds, we set off across Hoole, along the canal and then past Boughton to pick up the route through Caldy Valley Nature Park.  Out to Saighton, where Zoya had to leave us to go to a garden party.

No-one else could be persuaded to turn back, so we continued to Bruera, crossed the A41 to Old ma's coffee shop.

When the cafe owner had recovered from the shock of 11 ladies eyeing up her scones, we all sat outside and the usual banter and gossip ensued.

Heading back (still in glorious sun but with a sneaky head/side wind) we regrouped in the bus turning circle in Waverton (the wind was a bit strong for a few who dropped slightly back) - until, that is, the bus came!  We set off, but then pulled in to a side track to let the same bus pass (it was just easier!).

Back to Waverton, and re-joining the canal to head back to Chester.

A pleasant, sunny and very chatty 18 miles!

Sue