Blue skies and picnics

April in Pictures - as I got behind with my blogging:





April gatherings with stunning blue skies!  Leaves just appearing on the trees, and early blossom.

We headed across town via canal and river, 

I rather like taking pics along the canal, and today was no exception.

Crossing the Change Bridge, we headed to the river, through a little door in the wall.

Its not too early for shorts with this sunshine!

Second water crossing of the day, over the Dee.

After heading to Hawarden, we skirted the lower hills, 

Killins Lane, a small quiet lane that links Higher Shotton to Wepre, and specifically for us Wepre Park, crossing the Wepre Brook at the bottom.  My friend calls this 'wet lane' as it is always 'wet'!  It may be locally known as this too.

Another ladies ride, another cafe, our first visit to Old Hall cafe in Wepre Park.  

Perfect for picnicking!

Leaving Wepre Park we were able to pick up Route 5, which brings us nicely to the river path and an easy return to Chester.

A chance to have a photo with the Flint Bridge in the background.

Nearing Shotton Railway Bridge

A bit of knowledge sharing

One of the (many) benefits of group rideing, and belonging to a club of like minded cyclists, is the range and wealth of experince and knowledge we have, and are willing to share.  Any club will do this, and the Fab ladies is not an exception.

This month I took the beginner/ slower / shorter riders, but this is not to say necessarily all inexperienced.  

Let me start - as you know I like to do - at the beginning.  34 ladies congregated in the cafe, brimming out of the door such was the popularity! There are hints of spring in the air, snowdrops are still out but the daffodils, crocuses and blossom have joined the floral decor of the lanes.  After storm Doris just over a week previsouly, some tree damage was still apparent but did not hinder our way.  Sadly the weather was not spring sunshine, but it seemed brighter that previous months, and slightly milder.  Certainly dry, always a bonus!

Obligatory photo completed (I am going to start having to take a panorama shot, if I knew the ladies would stand still long enough!), and a few words about group riding, as we sent off the faster then regular groups.  Our usual preferred maximum of 10 per group was slightly exceeded as we were just a few riders over, so the FF group set off with 12, and Linda with the regular and my shorter both had 11, but still manageable.  Some ladies were realising they will have to sign in earlier to be sure of their chosen group!

Christleton Pond

My plan was a 9 mile straight forward (for me) trail out to the selected cafe, Old Ma's at Manor Farm near Tattenhall.  I had not had chance to phone ahead, so Helen very kindly took on that task, whilst I attempted to call some order together!

Louise with some daffodils

On our ride out, Sheila commented that she could not change into her top gear.  At an opportune moment when the group was stopped, I explained about gears a little, to remind not to have in a high gear at the front chain ring and low at the bottom or vice versa - and that low at the front is a small cog as opposed to low at the back which is big.  Obvious to those familiar with their bikes, but not really if you have not been told!  We also talked about the small screws on gears at the back and front, that adjust the amount the gears move across - meaning you may not be able to get that top/bottom gear.  A small adjustment is all you need.

Check out this useful link if you need to adjust or check your gears.

Sue, who has had experience with Chester Tri Club, suggested finding a quiet and straight road, to play with, practice and become familiar with your gears. Sometimes more is less, change down one gear to make pedaling easier - and actually faster!



Anyway, mechanical lesson over, we continued on our way, ending in the cafe.  As we do.










We returned via Bruera and Saighton, allowing me a peek at my favourite view, across to the Welsh hills via Eaton Tower.  Based on The Houses of Parliament or so I believe!

Snowdrops

The year is already moving towards Spring, although it remains jolly cold.  Again, Chester had a yellow warning for snow leading up the Saturday ladies ride, and although there was some on the distant hills, we had nothing - and with not even ice around, it is just a case of wrap up warm and head for the cafe!




23 ladies assembled, no new faces this month, an so after the photo we could go.

any ideas on an alternative to a long line up for the photos...?

I used the same route I had plotted in 2012, via Saighton, Waverton, Tarvin and Barrow.  But first, we have to get out of Chester.




We weaved through Hoole, using secret cut through's and snickets, to join the Canal at the end of Hoole Lane. 












 and then through Caldy Valley.

nifty removal of the bin makes the picture a bit better!

As mentioned, we headed to Saighton, and turned right.  Passing a bunch of runners, we had the debate should they be running facing the oncoming traffic, or with their backs to it as these were?

Nice steady ride after crossing the A41 through Waverton, past the Crocky Trail and Walk Mill, to cross the river Gowy.  Turning left then brings us to cross the A51, and into Tarvin.  This is an old village, with a few little gems of buildings still around.  There is a town trail, if you are interested, which tells you more about the history

"These black and white timber buildings date from the 16th century and are two of the oldest in Tarvin. They survived the fire of 30th April 1752, which destroyed most of the village buildings. Church House is of timber frame construction with wattle and daub infill and was once thatched. Inside are stone fireplaces with carved coats of arms. The building is thought to have been the vicarage until 1790."

After Tarvin, we crossed the A54 and followed the even quieter lanes around Hollowmoor Heath, and what I call 'the back' of Barrow.

I love the deep sandstone cuttings we have scattered around our lanes, sometimes topped with seasonal flowers such as bluebells or foxgloves.

Here is one not photobombed by Louise.





(Here is Louise!)

Louise was wondering how much further we had, as she was in need of a 'gate stop' to put it politely.  At this point I decided that, if we saw a suitable location, I would like to try to take a photo of a snowdrop (for the blog) and we could combine these activities (although not in the same shot!)


A little further down the lane, I found a suitable small clump of snowdrops (and Louise found a suitable gate).

A final climb up and over Dunham on the Hill, to meet the others at Cafe Fresh.

The other groups were already settled in the cafe, which has the most marvellous wallpaper!

wonderful woodlands!

Further Faster Ladies

Tropical suprise!

Kitchen table?!

The rest of the faster ladies

The groups and ladies all left, and as I was alone, I headed back the way I had come to family in Waverton, just because I could!

17 miles for our group to the cafe, Faster group had been up to Willington and Kelsall; Linda had brought the steady group round Wervin and Picton.

I don't care what the weatherman say...

...just open your curtains and dress accordingly!

January,and I am becoming a little apprehensive after the last couple of years when we have had a turn out of 30+.  It is great to see, but getting served at the cafe can take quite some time!  And this month, a few leaders were struck down in the day or two before the ride, although fortunately we were not left short.

We were able to split into three groups - Sonia and I had the regular normal steady paced group, and we sent the fasties with Jane and Alex, and Gill, Mary and Sharon looked after the few slower steadier members - two of our newbies for the ride!

So, gloomy start to the day but no ice and no rain.  By the time we reached the canal it was blue skies and sunshine!  We needed to call to Evans as Sonia had a Christmas Present of a pair of gloves that had already developed a hole, so we waited while she swapped them, then we carried on to the river.

We picked up Dukes Drive, I was a little apprehensive as we have had a bit of rain recently, but it is quieter than the Eccleston road which can be a bit fast despite being a country lane.  The track was not as bad as I feared, and although it was muddy often the roads are no better!




We did a little loop round to Dodleston, and then back up the Wrexham Road to the garden centre.  That is when the fun really started!  Our other new lady realised she could not get her foot off her pedal (a screw had come out, leaving the cleat loose and so the shoe could not pivot out).  She decided to take her shoe off, to much jollity, and padded through with her bike to the cafe.

(and although I take many, many photos, I am not that mean!)

Coming back out again, she rode through as it was easier, and re-assembled herself on the bike.  And off we set.  All was well until we got to Eccleston, where we stopped to regroup.  I had wanted to try to push myself a tiny bit, after Christmas and all that, and it is a gentle slope up to the village so I just pushed it - but the ladies were not far behind so I thought oomph I am unfit, all this effort and they are still hard on my heels.  

To be met at the top with groans of how fast I was going!  (there is hope for me yet!)

Anyway - the purpose was to regroup, but Sue fell the wrong way - the side she was clipped in to.  So couldn't get her foot out.  We have all been there.  No harm done, and at least her foot came off pedal!

Final approach in along the river, such a nice way through.

EPILOGUE

I called to the bike shop after the ride, as Andy had promised to redo my handlebar tape.  Whilst chatting the guys (the shop was so empty) I relayed our tale, and said they must look after our lady if she comes in.

Later, on facebook, when  asked if she had sorted her pedal out, Sue said "Went straight to bike shop and the guy there said "are you Sue one shoe". Haha , who did he hear that from I wonder?"

I did laugh!

It's amazing what a bike ride can do

...or, the best hangover cure!

Not for the first time this year (I am ashamed to say) I turned up to the ladies ride a little worse for wear.  A few months ago, a quiet works night out had ended with cocktails in The Church and left me needing black coffee and a bacon buttie at Kingsway to recover.  The December ride followed my works night out, which I had joined late as my choir had a concert the same night.  Undeterred I was dancing in Revolution till gone 2am. But enough about Chester and it's nightlife!

It is a good job Mr Rosie was on the ball to remind  me to take a start up photo!

However, it accounts for lack of pictures for the morning, but I knew I had leaders and we were having a short ride to Walk Mill, as has become the tradition, to allow busy people to crack on with Christmas preparations and stuff.  So I dragged myself along, and joined the gentle shorter direct ride with Linda and Gill (back after an 18 month absence due to the ice fall in Dec 2014).

I had to pop home as I had forgotten my waterbottle (essential) and something else (I forget now!), so re-joined them in Guilden Sutton - a surprise to some who did not know I had left them!









Gathering at Walk Mill we filled the cafe to the rafters, and enjoyed a selection of beverages and victuals, but I only stared to pick up after chatting to Caroline, cafe manager and friend of the ladies.  So much so that I could manage a few photos and even a rendition of Jingle Bell Rock with Linda (also in our choir) as we rode up the lane away from the cafe!




We ended back at The Dee Miller, where they again provided us with mulled wine (which is basically fruit, I concluded, as I helped myself to a second glass!) and mince pies.  I was not sure if there was a Tarvin Quiz this year (there was) so a few of the ladies furnished us with some quiz sheets, with cunning clues - I'm sorry I remained a bit vague for the day, so do not know who brought them!

A jolly end to another successful year for the ladies.  Here is to 2017!