15 and Fabulous!

Fifteen years ago Cycling UK ran a 'five miles to fabulous' initiative, with the intention to demonstrate that five miles is very achievable for most people, will take about half an hour, and - particularly aimed at encouraging women out on their bikes - can make you fabulous (thinking of the health benefits).

And so, June 2023 marks our fifteenth birthday, which means we have to celebrate in some way or another!

The plan was a birthday picnic at Walk Mill, with a marvellous cake, and sunshine.  On the day however I was unable to make it to the start as I have recently had a diagnosis of cancer and subsequent surgery two days before.  But I certainly could make it to the cafe to see everyone.

Linda kindly took or arranged for the 'start up photo', three were driving over, one of which kindly picked me up, as I cannot drive either at the moment.

It has been very sunny and warm for several weeks (a great time to pick to be off sick) and today was no exception.  A couple of routes were offered, and the ladies set off, meeting up with us already at Walk Mill in two waves.

I had ordered badges for everyone who came, although I do now have some spares as not everyone wanted a badge.

After copious sandwiches made from the freshest bread(they had had to wait for it to cool first!) and many jugs of water, we agreed that the cake will fare better inside rather than out in the sweltering heat!

After posing for photos with a rather large knife, the serious business of cutting the cake was given to me (!), with Jean in close attendance.  Jean took over, and the cake was divvied out to all, including Caroline and the staff at Walk Mill.

Jean made the most magnificent cake for us xx

After this all that was left was to head home via our chosen modes of transport.

Our ride fell between National Volunteering week and Bike week, which was well timed.  At the end of May I was informed I had been nominated and was shortlisted for a volunteer of the year award, as 'Most Inspiring Individual', which was nice and meant I got a badge (and a certificate and card).  Read the article here

A huge thanks to all the ride leaders and riders, because without them I would just be going for rides on my own.  Make sure you put the 10th June 2028 in your diaries, as we will certainly do something special for our 20th birthday!!!  (Hmm, 10th June again!)

PS I mentioned my diagnosis earlier - it was discovered through the NHS screening programme and is very small and early.  No chemo but radiotherapy later this summer. I will be back on the bike before you know it!

That Bluebell time of year (and beyond)

 May, and associated spring flowers.  The Wednesday evening before this ladies ride was full of hawthorn, cow parsley, and wild garlic, all white and all in full glory.

A grand turn out, with Coronation Flags still on display on the Community Noticeboard.

We split into two groups, and headed out to Barrow.  I picked the shorter route as I was planning of heading on out for the rest of the day and getting the train back (personal sharing - I am due to have surgery on Monday so will not be able to ride for a bit - may give me a chance to catch up with blogging though!)

One of the joys of meeting in a quiet but community location is that you never know who you may meet, or who will stop to chat.  Just before the group photo, as I turned back from getting my camera, I note this chap with the CUTEST little doggy, chatting to one of my ladies.  I think the dog was called Brutus!!

Heading out through Pipers Ash, into the lanes.  Crossing the A51 was busy, as not only was the M56 closed, but also the A56, meaning all traffic was pushed to other roads and usually quiet lanes - which we discovered later on near Broomheath.

Cow Parsley, aka Anthriscus sylvestris

dropping down to cross the Gowy

We crossed the A51 to come round to Oscroft and then cross the A54 to the back lanes around Barrow.  Here we have lanes with deep sandstone cuttings, shady, and at this time of year spotted with bluebells.  I stopped to take a picture but there was a sneaky breeze, causing the little bells to move (and makes a blurry photo!)

I could not decide between these two shots though - the one on the left has a lovely bluebell and all the verge flowers including a sneaky cow parsley, and the one below has the road too for some context, and more of the cow parsley.  Speckled with shafts of sunlight.

Ahh, that's nice!

For the second time this year, we sat around in the sunshine (although only one table was really outside), enjoying the peaceful area at Bluebell Cafe.

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After the break, we sent the groups back to Chester, and Catherine joined me as we set off, back to cross the A54 and into the lanes.  My ultimate plan was to head for Little Moreton Hall, hopefully passing the Pink Church at Hassell Green so I could grab a photo for the Bob Clift rides that I am organising for June.  But we stopped for photos, and at one point had to retrace a mile back down Wood Lane (near Utkinton, all downhill!) to try and find a piece of paper I was missing by the top of the hill (with my planned route); which was not there so we climbed back up again!

We crossed at Cotebrook, and along to Rushhton.  We are now in the wide flatlands of the Cheshire Plain, which limits views so fewer photos.

But we passed Oulton Park, which has a most fabulous brick wall all the way around, and there was racing going on (a quick google tells me it was MG racing - fitting as my hubby has had a Midget since I have known him and I used to have a couple of 'B's)

(c)   PS Images, Oulton Park

St Bartholomew's - a church has been on the site
since before 1540's, but it appears to have had many
fires and restorations!

We landed at Church Minshull after about 20 miles, and feeling a bit peckish, so we stopped at The Badger, next to the church.  Glorious garden, although I did wonder why the shadows seemed to be getting a bit longer (in my head it was 2pm).  

I checked the route, 10 miles to go, and then saw the time - 16:40!!

So I agreed it was a bit late and we instead headed into central Crewe to catch a train home.

Church Farm House early C.17

Trains were delayed, but we did not know why.  Arriving back at Chester eventually we saw a splendid blue train, and a lot of people milling around the platform.  Turns out it was a charter from St Albans to Llandudno, but had had a fire so the whole station had been closed.  The poor passengers were being decanted onto busses for their long journey home to the South - makes you glad you have a bike and your own method of getting home!

I think this train should be called the Bluebell, what do you reckon?

(I have realised I have a lot of blue this year - today bluebells, blue car and blue train; and previously blues in Jan post.  Hmm, watch this space, maybe I will theme each year with a colour!)

PS - Wednesday evening rides as mentioned at the start of this post run from April to August every year, meeting at Chester Town Hall at 7pm, for a leisurely ride out and back by 9 (or by dark in April and early May) - maybe a tad later if the weather is particularly glorious in June and July - finishing at The Pied Bull in Northgate Street, for a chinwag and refreshments

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