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

Welcome to Hildegards new cafe in Holt!

If you follow my blog, you will know how I like to seek out new cafes, to add to my growing list of cake-selling establishments in about a 10 mile radius of Chester.  So, imagine my delight when I hear that a certain lady, known to cycling communities for many years, was opening a new cafe in Holt.  There was therefore no hesitation in picking the destination for June's ladies ride - Holt it was!!

18 sets of wheels gathered at Kingsway - the usual array of familiar faces and new.  18! that was an impressive line up navigating the lanes, I can tell you!  It is so many in fact, that the starting off photo had to be split into two, in order to show who we had!  It was traffic stopping, as we crossed Hoole Road! (safety in numbers - check out CTC campaign here).

I think I am getting little more confident leading a large group across town and negotiating junctions, traffic lights and all the obstacles that a city can throw at you (while staying together and not losing anyone).  we dropped down to the canal and along to come out along Boughton, before dropping to the river.  I had to stop to re-group - nothing to do with the half clad young men from the rowing club - honest!  We crossed the river by the Old Dee Bridge - it really is pretty along there.  I have lived in Chester all my life, and I think that sometimes you just don't see what it really looks like.  Cycling is the perfect opportunity to have that different perspective.



Leaving Eccleston



As we left Eccleston, coming under the Duke's Drive, a wonderful vista of the Welsh hills opens out - big black clouds and all!  There was a very large threatening cloud, but I was not sure if we would meet it, with the direction we were heading.  so far, so dry!

As we approached Pulford, a couple of ladies who needed to head back decided to turn off - we had a little ponder about where there may be a cafe, and I remembered Chester Lakes - so we sent them off that way.  The rest of us (now down to 15 as someone else had a date with a new allotment) continued to Rossett.  Lisa and Jo decided to forge ahead and see how fast they could go - promising to wait at the turn off. 



Cooks Bridge



We wended around Darland, and Hoseley, before returning to the main boring long straight B road to Holt.  By now that black cloud was actually quite close, and the rain trails could be clearly seen underneath it. 



Pedal as fast as you can away from that cloud!!



At the T junction about a mile or so out of Holt, I gathered all the ladies and pointed out the cloud, and requested (politely!) that they ride like stink - as fast as you can! - to get to the cafe before that gets here!!!  And we did - Just!

Hildegard was extremely accommodating, and gathered all the spare chairs she had in the establishment before settling us in the back room.  We just about fit!

choosing cakes in Hildegards cafe

After coffee, tea, carrot cake, scones, bacon and avocado baguettes etc all round, we returned to the bikes (now it had stopped raining and the sun was back out) to discover a flat tyre.  The offending wheel was dealt with, along with impromptu how-to-fix-a-puncture narrative.  We sent the Welsh girls off to the hills (to save them coming all the way back to Chester) and so now 13 of us left Holt.  It is sometimes quite mathematically challenging leading a ride!!!



changing tube with lots of help!




Crossing Holt-Farndon bridge

The weather tried a few times to rain on us, but apart from a few drops, we escaped any shower, and continued back, dropping a few here and there as we passed turnings to their village, or their street, leaving me with four of us near the cafe.  Flo was sent up the cycleway towards Mickle Trafford, and Jean and Vicky returned to their cars.

25 miles (or thereabouts!), 1 puncture, 7 Carrot cakes, no rain - Ha!!!