Girls in the Gales

Janaury, and a happy new year to you all.  Last month was cancelled, so when this month's ride date approached and the weather began to turn windy, with stormy gales, I did wonder if we would be able to ride.  Several people dropped out, including a few leaders; but a stalwart 12 made it to the cafe, and I changed my plans according to the weather.

The original plan had been to go to the Boat Museum in Ellesmere Port; but the direction of the wind would have been across us there and back, so with the aid of a rather groovy weather app I found the prevailing wind direction and speed (and with the help of some facebook friends I worked out which way to head - if it is a NNW wind then we need to head in a NNW direction); so our destination was changed to Eureka cafe, planning to be blown home again.

Feeling windblown already at the start!

We set off along the Greenway - I figured that as it was off road it would build our confidence in the wind, and takes the traffic element out of the equation for handling our bikes.  

It was fine, and easy going. 

We left the Greenway at Blacon, although I was a 'stop' too early so we had to wend through a couple of streets to pick up my route again.

As we were now 'rolling', the wind was not too bad at all.

Gusty on some bends, but with warnings everyone did really well.

We went down a 'private' road past a few farms, I remember this being closed off during the foot and mouth outbreak several years ago.

I did worry a bit (and warned the ladies) that as we climbed the bridge to cross the main road that it may be worse on top as it is more exposed - but it was not bad at all!

At the end of the road we re-grouped for a photo, and then turned along the lane to Woodbank and the main road.

On reaching the main road I did explain how we were going to ride safely along it, as it is fast and can be busy.  

In a short while we all made it safely to the Eureka cafe, which except for two gentlemen was completely deserted!

Another group photo outside the Eureka cafe!

Capenhurst - and a 'pinfold' visible on the left of the picture.

Now, after a short re-trace back up the A550, we again joined the lanes - but this time with a roaring tailwind!!!  Brilliant, and so worth the mornings efforts.  So much so that Collette at one point considered that the wind must have dropped now - but I pointed out that it hadn't at all, and this is because it is behind us.

Following route 56 back meant we had to negotiate the gates - but taking each gate in turn (one person holds as the rest of us go through) smooths the flow of the group. 

Crossing the A41 near Backford/ Mollington

All in all a very pleasant morning, 18 miles and 12 riders.  It was a bit like 'the olden days' of the Fab ladies as there was just the one group!  And what beautiful sunny weather again :-)

Good drying weather!

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Slippy Leaves and Sloppy Mud!



Leaving the cafe



Aaah, the challenge of finding a title for each blog entry!

November already!  After a night of torrential rain, the morning of the November ladies ride dawned with blue skies and sunshine.  Leaves are dwindling as autumn tumbles into winter, the days shorten and the sun sinks lower in the sky.

However, the ladies turn outs are not dwindling, which is great news.  I was expecting two newcomers, but only one turned up, and with twelve more sets of wheels and a hasty photo (nearly forgot!), we set off up Mannings lane to cross the lights with the A41 and into the lanes.

What wonderful weather, no wind and warm sun.  As we passed the zoo I regailed anyone who was listening with the fact that a week ago on my way to work I was watching a couple of Orang Utans, catching the early morning sun.  Not a claim many can make on their daily commute.  (I saw Santa's reindeer last week!).  Part of the route is my evening return from work, so it was nice to see it in the daylight for a change (trying to memorise where the potholes are!).

After a couple of small climbs, we negotiated the gated track from Mollington to Dunkirk; then around to Capenhurst past the Pinfold.  A few more lanes saw us on the main A540 into Chester, a necessary evil in order to reach Eureka Cafe.  We were fortunate that we had a lull in the traffic, as the other main roads appeared to be quite busy, early Christmas shoppers no doubt.

We were welcomed as ever and planted ourselves outside to catch the November sun, still quite warm if you were not in the shade.



Mud, glorious mud!



Our return route took us back down the A540, to Woodbank, where we turned right back into the lanes, and over the relatively new Lodge Lane crossing.  At this point we turned right, to pick up the track to take us to the Greenway near Sealand.  And this was where we encoutered the extemely sloppy looking mud.  All negotiated it gracefully, and we were able to continue through.

By the time we got to the greenway, people were able to drop off home so that I was left with two ladies back near Kingsway shops.

14 ladies, 18 miles.

(more photos to follow!)