Birthday Belle

Everything stopped in March, there was a worldwide pandemic (Coronavirus), we have isolated, social distanced, washed and gelled our hands, wiped down handles and equipment, worked from home and all sorts.  

Cycling in groups also stopped, and although there was a huge increase in cycling (you were allowed to go out to exercise for half an hour or so at first) it was solo riding or with members of your household.

Lockdown restrictions are now however beginning to ease.  Shops opened, with mitigation's (distance, masks and handgel), pubs and restaurants finally reopened at the start of July, and some cafes are also back open.

Against this backdrop, Janet from our sister group the Bicycle Belles, invited me with a couple of others to join her for a little ride today for her birthday.  The weather was not inviting, but despite damp drizzle I donned my waterproof and made my way to the Boat Museum.  

No photos I'm afraid of the tiddley baby moorhens, or fluffy large teenage moorhens, or the heron, who stood steadfastly by the side of the canal, even as I carefully passed him.  What a magical experience!

Socially distanced photo.  Yes I am very grey ('Lockdown hair'!)

Janet arrived with Sonia and Ruth, and after a chat and a photo (sporting their new Belles tops - even more purple than the originals!), we set off back along the canal.  Mr Heron had left now, and we also left the canal to follow route 56, where we basically made for the Burleydam Garden Centre cafe.

The return journey was shared for a few miles, through Childer Thornton, but we split shortly after that, as Sonia and Janet headed up the Wirral, and I returned via Oaks Farm, Ledsham and Capenhurst.

Janet had mentioned there was a scarecrow festival in Capenhurst, so, despite the rain I stopped and took a few pics of the installations.

Of course

Note the little doors in stump!

fishy theme

Litter picker? Is this saying he is a fruitcake?!

Corpse Bride, and what looks like
the baby from Fairy wash up liquid!

Back to the Future I think

I also noted a carved tree stump - with lots of forest animals and the mandatory owl.

Foxy, looking up (and hedgehog poking out)

Squirrel

The artist

I also took a couple of photos to send to Janet of the Pinfold, as she claimed she had not seen it before!

I was wet (damp) but not as bad as I thought.  Nice to get home and have a shower though - and think how I will enjoy my next sunny ride!

Between Pancakes and Valentines

Last week was pancake day, and if you gave up chocolate for lent I hope you secret valentine doesn't give you chocolates tomorrow!  

Twenty two ladies congregated in the usual manner in Kingsway Cafe, sheets signed, coffee and tea drunk, toilet visited before amassing for a photo.  I think we are going to need to hutch up a bit closer with larger numbers!

The watery early sun was also making a welcome appearance, not quite shorts weather, but daffodils and snowdrops can now be seen on the roadside.

We had three groups - a very small and select slower group, and manageable groups of 9 for the regular and faster ladies.

We (regulars) joined the Greenway, and after about 200 yards the faster group came onto the Greenway just in front of us (well timed!)  There was a bit of  a sneaky headwind on our outward journey; but as our lanes twist and turn that can keep you out of the breeze or at least give a little respite.

At the end of the Greenway someone asked if we were stopping at Meadow Lea cafe (the first one of several cafes we passed on our route)

After a short burst along the A51 (on the footpath) we made our way around Barrow, passing the Bluebell cafe, and near to Manley mere where we headed left for Dunham instead; re-grouping for a pic.

Meanwhile...

The faster group, in order to get a few miles in, were heading to Delamere Forest, where they also had a group photo (sort of!)

Our group then had a nice downhill (quick negotiation on a blind bend to cross the A56) and along to Thornton Le Moors, and the cafe, nestling under the towering chimneys of Stanlow (oil refinery)

At the cafe we met up with the advance party of the slow and steady four, before settling down ourselves with refreshments.  The young girls seemed to struggle with the orders but I think it all worked out OK (good job it wasn't 30 of us all arriving at once like last month!)  

They have some farm animals at The Hayrack, and this includes a few more exotic beasts and birds inside - an African grey caught my eye, Joey (Josephine) who does not like women, but will sidle up to any men who talk to her!

And the fluffiest green parrot in another room (who just eyed me suspiciously from one corner of his cage!)

With no sign of the faster group, we made our way out to leave - as they arrived; 21 miles better off! (both slower and regular groups managed about 11 to the cafe) - so it was their turn to fill up the seats we had just vacated.

I did mention pancakes in the title? - If I had seen a menu with this on I think I would have definitely ordered this - may have to come back another day!

We set off to return along the canal (after a boring A5117 trundle, with an intermittent cycle lane - what is the point!), and showed off some of Chester Zoo to newer riders, arriving back at Kingsway moments before the slower group. 

I think we both did about 18 miles, with FF doing about 30?

February gloom

It really was a dismal cold and dreary February morning, although much of the ice from the previous week was not apparent, and of course Chester so rarely has snow that that was not a consideration either!  But certainly not as nice weather as last month!

A colouful start to a gloomy day

I lost count of potential attendees, but it felt like it would be small turnout, which it was with 8 of us making it to the start.  Vicky lost a battle with her bike carrier, another lady decided it was really too cold after all, Welna was on training in Birmingham, Jo was I think on Olympic volunteer training and another lady has just become a fabulous granny so had gone to coo over the small one.  Very busy!

After a quick pic we set off up the road, and into the lanes.  Liz left us before we got to the zoo, and just before I had a close encounter with a squirrel!  daft thing ran out nearly into my wheel, before scarpering back from whence it came.  Much to the amusement of the ladies!

We certainly brightened up the day!

We whizzed down Butter hill, and took the small back lane to Croughton, which did have patches of ice across the lane, all thankfully safely negotiated.  The trick with ice is to hold your nerve and glide straight over it - any deviation or braking is probably the worst thing you can do.

Ellesmere Canal with Stanlow in the distance

Then we picked up the canal, and followed the bumpy rutted towpath all the way to the boat museum.  It is a wonderfully easy route to do, and quite pleasant.  Usually there is a swan nesting, and a heron frequents this stretch, and can often be seen on summer evening rides.

untieing the bikes for the ride home

At the museum cafe, as we were chatting, supping and munching, another large group of 13 cyclists came in.  I did recognise one, they were a semi organised Sustrans led group from South Liverpool, heading to Kingsway cafe.

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We let them go, then we took an interesting route through the industrial estate, alongside the motorway, before picking up the road that runs along the Oil refinery.  I know how to show the ladies a good time!  But then, you see, we turned right, off the main road and away from all the chimneys and towers of Shell, and into Thornton Le Moors, with its very Cheshire sandstone church,and into the lanes once again.

18 miles.

When I got back to the cafe I met up with the Liverpool cyclists again, so I joined them for a coffee - always like to make new friends!

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.

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!

Merry March and 50p's

11 of us gathered at Kingsway this morning, two new faces, one returning cyclist from New Zealand, and several of the usual gang.  As I have said before, different every time!  I did not subject the ladies to a parting photo this morning, although I do like to start each posting with one.



Swans on canal near Christleton

 We wended our way to the canal, and on to Waverton. I did stop to take a photo, but by then we were so spread out, it took me ages to catch the leading ladies - which I did only just before Waverton.  We re-grouped (and then I got my group photo!) and headed out on Common Lane to Old Waverton.  I suddenly remembered I had promised to call for someone in Waverton, so had to park the ladies on the side while I popped round the corner - but she was not able to join us anyway so we pottered on.

Over Golden Nook Bridge (always a sudden pull) and I held the pace so that everyone could catch up.  However, I realised that I was missing three so we waited a few moments before the Hargrave turning...no sign...so I sent the main group ahead to the 50p shop and retraced to the bridge.  Oh dear still no sign - check my mobile.  Sure enough, missed call from Moira - called her back.  They had taken the scenic route via Hargrave, and had been coming along the side lane and seen us - just as I had sent the others on! 

Anyway, I doubled back again, and caught the adventurous three shortly after the Farmers Arms, and we all continued to the 50p shop.


Christine and her lovely cakes!


What a lovely array of cakes greeted us - with Christine's warm welcome!  And what delights awaited in the 50p shop! The ladies all took turns to peruse the bargains and came out with saddlebags and panniers bulging!  - with promises to return soon (with bigger bags!).

We split into smaller groups for the fairly direct return past Walk Mill and the Crocky Trail, as some wanted to get back sooner, some were a little faster, and I held back with slightly slower ladies to make sure no-one got lost!

19 miles.

We were back just in time to catch Dr.Bike at new Scene where there had been some cycle training and information to do with the Spring Cycle Challenge starting this week and running for two weeks.  It is there again for the next two Saturdays, with an extra ladies ride next Saturday afternoon, if anyone would like to join us!

Angela meets Celia from BikeBoost!

Winter Wander to Walk Mill

It is nearly Christmas, and the big freeze we have recently endured ceased a few days ago, meaning that the lanes and tracks were no longer a skating rink (for now, at least!) - so it must be time for our annual seasonal meander to Walk Mill, near Waverton.

More new faces greeted me when I arrived at the cafe, and 8 of us set off along the cyclepath to Mickle Trafford, and then round to Waverton.  The Mill was as welcoming as ever, with warm drinks and toast.

Jean got herself two bags of flour (not the best thing to buy when cycling as it is quite heavy to carry!) and a few of us bought a loaf to take home. 

We returned along the canal to Chester - still frozen in parts which shows how cold it was last week as it has been much warmer for the past three or so days!

Well, that is it for 2010!  We have covered 227 miles over 12 rides (one a month minus January, but with an extra one in Nov); a total of 2600 miles between 42 different ladies - WOW!  We have averaged 11 riders per month (between 8-16) and 19 miles a month (between 10-29 miles).  Just in case you were interested!

(Photos to follow)

November Sun

Another November day dawned with blue skies and sunshine!  Despite the gales and rain of the previous week, the wind had dropped for us by the morning of the November ladies ride.  Three new faces to Chester ladies were welcomed, and a returning few who had missed several rides.  I think that is one of the really nice things about the ladies group; every month is a little bit different depending not only on the route but also who is out. 

So, 10 of us met and I managed to drag the early birds out of the cafe (this could be harder as the winter progresses!) and we set off up Mannings lane to the country lanes.  There were some large sticks and 'tree debris' scattered around the lanes, and a tree was down in Picton Gorse Lane (but the road was clear).  We headed to the zoo, where we had to walk on the pavement as the road was closed one way (we waved at Ali's house as we went past).  Then we had a lovely downhill to the canal, where I snapped a few pics!

There was a gentleman walking by, saying hello to each lady - until he got to the fourth and fifth, whereupon he exclaimed "how many of you are there??!!".  I caught up and we re-grouped at the top, before heading through Backford to the A41.  After crossing this busy road (unusually busy, Christmas shoppers??!!), we had another downhill-uphill to Mollington.

Crossing to Saughall, we passed the Vernon Institute (which had a farmers market on...wonder if they do refreshments?!), and on to the old railway bridge where we joined the Greenway back to Chester, Kingsway cafe, and cakes/toast/bacon butties!!


The whole gang, before departures





A very pleasant and surprisingly warm 14 miles!  Back to the cafe for 12.  Perfect timing!


Jean gets a cuddle in the cafe!