A Spring in our Wheels

I could not resist a 'handlebar in the daffodils' shot,
and then pick out the daffs and blue skies in colour!

 There is nothing more joyous that a mid spring ride, amidst increasing blossoms and under blue skies with fluffy clouds, expect when it follows several days of cold and wet weather.

So 14 of us mustered at Kingsway cafe, with the plan to return to Old Hall Cafe at Wepre Park which we last visited in April 2017.  That day saw 27 of us under perfect blue skies, also in April.

my photo from January, of Jiya running
around in the mud (with her mum!)

I shared some news updates before the photo, and we split into two perfectly formed groups.  Linda and I set off through the Zoo, which those who knew where Wepre Park is were wondering how that direction was right (including myself!); but it was a splendid route.  We saw the baby Rhino Jiya, as she is often not 'on
display' in the mornings but in a back paddock, which happily backs on to the Zoo path.  After a few Onagers and Camels, we dropped down the hill to cross the canal.

From here we climbed towards Backford, crossed the A41, and skirted Mollington.  The blossom in the hedgerows and trees was wonderful against the blue skies; at this time of year as the hedges are just sprouting they seem to be such a bright green.  The colours are so vivid.

 

As we neared the A540 to cross to Saughall there was one of the first Rape fields I have seen.  

We turned right to go down Lodge Lane (I always think of the time when foot and mouth closed small lanes like this, as it goes alongside a farm; and I recall dodging traffic to cross the A494 before the bridge was built).  This 'new' bridge does give a lovely view to the Flintshire bridge (opened in 1998, it is the largest Asymmetrical cable stayed bridge in the UK)

Skirting the industrial park we wound our way to the Greenway by the Welsh / blue/ dragon bridge, and then along to cross the river on the railway bridge, a chance for some portraits!

...including 'some bloke' who got in between my ladies!

It was then a short navigation to Shotton lane, and down Killin Lane (known as 'wet lane' by my friend and long time cycling buddy Harry Watson as it is always wet), cross a small bridge and up to the Park.

Wepre Park is 160 acres of parkland, including Ewloe Castle, a waterfall, and industrial heritage.  Well worth a re-visit another day (they also have a Parkrun).  This sunny Saturday we managed to commandeer enough chairs and a few tables so when the second group arrived we could all sit in the sun and enjoy our snacks.

Collette's photo captures the woodland
and bike parking perfectly

Whilst Linda snapped us in the cafe

Moving people back to their bikes was a challenge!  They were all so settled enjoying the warmth and chat.  But I tore them away and we set off, back down the hill, following Rowena's nose, and we eventually found the track back to the river and the railway bridge.  Losing people at various stages (as they drop off home on a route to suit) the rest returned up the Greenway and Kingsway cafe.

25 miles

First signs of spring

You have to love sunshine early in the year, it just promises those spring and summer days and evenings on the bike, after all the rain we have had early this year.

The plan was to head to Cafe Fresh, Dunham, and I did phone ahead but it did not sound promising.

We had three groups out, into the lanes.  Late writing blog up, so memory faded (I had a lot of my birthday celebrations this month!).  Just photos then...

Avoiding the wind

It is still windy!  I led the short route today, as people were a little nervous riding in the wind.  We are lucky in Chester; our lanes twist and turn, and we have plenty of hedges giving shelter - just watch out for those gateways!

A very colourful gathering

With a short ride around very familiar lanes, there is little to report.  No baby cows yet, but daffodils adorn the verge and that's about it!  I added a small hill via Dunham on an otherwise straightforward route, short up and lovely down.

One funny moment, not captured on film as I was coming down said hill; a horsebox had set off up the lane, and three or four horses ran along to the gate (we presume it had just left) as if to say "hey! where are you going/ what about us?!"  Cute.

Despite the wind, the sun came out in time for our arrival at Manley Mere, which was the most beautiful blue I have ever seen.  When I asked inside, I was told it has been treated to block out light and prevent weed growth in the mere.  They have a lot of open water swimming here, as well as watersports, so they have started to do this now.  That explains the colour.  But it does look lovely!

Arriving first, we treated ourselves to cake and comfy seats around the open fire.  Which was very warm!

...I always like the throne chair, as I call it!

We waited for what seemed like a long time before the other two groups arrived.  The cafe had set aside plenty of seats for us, it is not too busy this time of year.

I may need to photoshop out that cone on the right!

After a quick catch up with the other groups, I led my group back around the back of Barrow, to pick up the Greenway via Stamford Bridge.

Great Barrow Church - St Bartholomew's

Both groups this morning had to re-route, as the Guilden

Sutton road was closed for re-surfacing; however, by the time we came through it was re-opened, although rough and surprisingly busy!

Finally up the Greenway, Mary stopped to hide a geocache for her friend to find, she was very excited about it!

Whilst the others were waiting, Helen had noted her wheel appeared to be rubbing.  Bike upside down, we spun the wheel and looked for what was causing this, but the mudguards, brake blocks and frame did not appear to be to blame, so we carried on.  I was not sure if it was a spoke, as she said she had heard a noise, but not been on anything too lumpy.  She called to the bike shop, and later reported that it was indeed a broken spoke, near the hub.

24 riders, 16 miles for the slow and steady group.

"Looking forward to Saturday's ride .... Where is Drury?"

...was the email reply by one lady last week!

Drury, a tiny outpost of Buckley; where on a Sunday ride last August we passed a cafe and farm shop - and I noted this new cafe thinking it was not too far out!

I managed to get everyone signed and and outside - but sent off the FF group without a photo (whoops!) so after the safety talk Mr Rosie took our picture, and we were able to head out.  I had enough leaders today, but was in jeopardy of losing two at the cafe, as they both lived near to the cafe (well, nearer than coming all the way back to Chester!)



My head had stopped working, so Linda reminded me of her route, and we set off in two groups, but following each other.  The allowed us to catch up and wait from time to time.

One of the great things about cycling in Chester is that you come across different events through the year. Today was no exception as we negotiated the North of England 'Head of the River' race.  ("Established in 1935,as a 5km race for eights on the river Dee from Eccleston Ferry to the Groves, the first winners were Thames RC in a time of 18min 35sec.").  It was not a problem, we went slowly and tinged our bells, the rowers were all very lovely and polite (unlike the grumpy man who appeared

to be having a go at some girls for 'parking' their boat on the path outside his house - on the riverside.  It meant he as not able to swing in /out of his driveway in a manner he so desired and so had to have a go at them.  Well, don't buy a house on the river, next to an established rowing club, who may have races - oh, and get a smaller car you can manage!)

We continued to the racecourse, past the lovely display of daffodils outside whet is now Chester Uni (Used to be County Hall), and then stopped for a little re-group, to check Linda's group had safely navigated the boats.

We continued to follow the river, until Saltney Ferry bridge, where we met a bicycle polo player and his wife (he was just pottering along ion his bike with his polo stick and ball, she was jogging).  She thought it was fabulous to see a ladies cycling club, and wanted to stay in touch (I directed her to the Facebook pages and blog) - a little bit of networking can't go amiss!








We climbed up towards Hawarden, and dropped to Broughton, picking up the small lane that cuts out the roundabout - I do think it gives a cracking view of the runway, especially when it is lit up on a gloomy morning like today. (you may have to click on the photo to enlarge it and see lights!)


We climbed up the Old Warren, a bit of a surprise hill for some, and paused as we went through the gate at the top.  By now the weather had turned to fine misty rain - "the sort of rain you wouldn't notice if you were indoors"....

Not far now, through the Hawarden bluebell woods, short climb into Buckley, turning just after the railway line, and we arrived.  The faster group were already firmly established, as were our Wrexham chums (again - mind you we have not crossed paths for a little while!)

Wrexham Cafe Hoppers heading home

A lovely and quite large cafe was waiting, the cakes looked amazing and apparently the toilets were nice and new (I was too busy chatting!!).  The faster group made tracks and left us, and we headed off by about twenty to one after half an hour at the cafe.

By now it was decidedly damp, and the downhill to Ewloe left us dripping!




I managed to negotiate the big roundabout, and we navigated around and dropped down to Queensferry, where roadworks meant it was safer and easier to edge into the flow of traffic waiting at the lights, and turn right together and head for the blue bridge

Then we have a cycle path that brings us nicely back to the Greenway, by the other blue bridge, which we do not often see from underneath.

Many thanks to Alex for leading the faster ones out and Jane for bringing them back; to Linda for the route and also leading a second regular group out; and finally to Mary who shepherded the last riders back in (I had to head home as fast as my little legs will take me - which is not very! - for a family party in Manchester)

25 riders all together, 25 regular miles;