History and Heritage

September rolls around again, and this time we had an unseasonably hot spell, which had already lasted about a week.  12 ladies arrived at the cafe, and after a chat, sign ins and a coffee, photos outside and we set off in two equal groups.

As I have said in previous years, September is a 'back to school' month, and I always think it is like a mini new year, so we plan an easier ride out to encourage newbies.  This year I thought we could head to Ellesmere Port and the Boat Museum, as we can follow the canal all the way.

I was aware that we have had some new resurfacing along the towpath in the past eighteen months, but some path was still very rough.  I took my group through  the Zoo, and we joined the canal at 'Pretty Bridge'.  It was just lovely, although the hedges are a little overgrown.  At Stoak, I highlighted that I knew it was going to be a little more rough under wheel, but we agreed to press on.  In all about a mile is quite broken up and potholey, but as you get nearer to Ellesmere Port the path became a much better surface.

I also explained that as we get nearer to Ellesmere Port, you will see evidence of the industrial past.  I suggested we think of it as Heritage and History, as you pass factories and old iron bridges.  We spotted our first heron in a field near Stoak, and someone else noted on one a fabulous old rusty structure.

The canal is also full of Pennywort, in big floating clumps.  During lockdown I recall this invasive weed filled the canal for several miles, although I had never seen it before.  you can read more about this and the problems it causes here.

We also noted some notable autumnal colouring to the trees, even with crispy brown leaves all over the path.

Before too long we crossed under the motorways and main roads in Ellesmere port, and came out at the boat museum.  This is where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, and was a 'transhipment dock'.  The cafe is free to use (you do not need to pay entry) and today was a lovely calm place, with a gentle breeze, just perfect.

In order to avoid hills in the heat, we returned along the canal path as far as Croughton, and a short climb to Wervin gave us the flat route then back to Kingsway.  A grand 14 miles!!

How to avoid a headwind

Aug ride was quite a nice day weather wise, but with quite a strong wind, which was likely to be in our faces.  A small turn out again, with no cafe as they are closed through the summer on Saturdays as they do not have enough volunteers.  Kingsway still have the flags up since the Coronation, which feels like a lifetime ago!

The initial plan was to head to Waterways garden centre near Wrexham, as we have not been there since July 2017; however due to my recovery and the weather, we agreed to have a shorter ride to Rossett, which would give us another new cafe (always a bonus!)

So we bimbled out on the Greenway to Blacon, and for a change came off and dropped down Western Avenue to Sealand road and picking up Ferry Lane.  This is a very awkward turn, and by now it has decided it will rain a little heavier so I donned my waterproof.  By the time we got to the bridge though that had come off again!

Over the river and railway, I chose another different approach to the 'Broughton Straight', and stayed on the right side which now has a cycle lane nearly all the way.  This means you do not have to re-join the main road at Bretton, and can stay on until Broughton Park.  At this point the cycle path unceremoniously dumps you back on the carriageway (but facing oncoming traffic, so I guess we should not do that) - I instead kept us on the footpath which worked a treat and got us to the lights before the big roundabout where we could cross, and then pick up the back lanes again to Bretton.

Round to Kinnerton, and turning off I paused so the group could catch up after the last junction.  Mary told me she did not wish to go 'up there' meaning straight on, as she thought it was a long and big hill; however I highlighted that the alternative (Stringers Lane) is a notoriously long road, and would be directly into the wind.  Mary relented as she realised it was not the hill she thought it was, and we all set off.

Exploring these lanes did indeed help us avoid the wind, and after the initial climb we had a joyful up and down route through Golly and into Burton, crossing the level crossing into Rossett and the cafe.

We were able to sit outside, and after refreshments we headed back fairly directly along the Old Wrexham Road

Hot ride to Holt

Thanks to Jean for the blog title today, and it was indeed very hot.  After last month, today was less sun but very humid, with a threat of thunderstorms later.  This may be why rider numbers were low, but we have all agreed small numbers are so nice as you get to chat to everyone.

We opted for the selfie group photo today, before we set off - in one group (also quite nice!), and pottered along to Hoole Lane, where Karen was having an issue with her gears.  She chose to turn back, leaving just the five of us to carry on to Holt.  Malpas had been billed as the destination, but we all agreed earlier this week to pull the distance back.  I have not been riding for the last six weeks, so it was my first time back out on two wheels, and very lovely it was too!

We were having discussions about which cafe to go to, as Cleopatra's as we know it has closed for the time being.  However, there are several cafe's between Holt and Farndon, so we felt assured there would be somewhere.  In the end we agreed to try Maggies, which is just on the corner of the same triangle as Cleopatra's.

On our way to Holt we were passed by a large group of chaps, on bikes, with just the last one with a number on his back.  This seemed curious - if it was a road race, they would all have numbers; or if it was a time trial they would not be allowed to ride in a bunch.  The mystery deepend as we continues alog the long straight Rossett Road and saw a hand made sign which read 'Good Luck Sean'.  I pondered if this was related to this group, but it did not explain the phenomenon.

When we arrived in Holt, a large group of cyclists were gathered at The Cross, and we realised it was the same ones.  After I put my order in, they had departed, but a chap with an apparent sag wagon was still there.  He explained what was going on.

Chris (I looked him up later) told me it was an Iron Man world record attempt, and Sean has now done 90 days of Iron Man triathlons every day since the middle of April.  That is a 2.4 mile swim in Mold baths every day, followed by a 112 mile cycle, following the same route which doubles back through Holt several times, and then running a marathon from Deeside up and down the Greenway. Repeat.  You can track him and read about his other adventures here  Quite amazing.

Here they come...

He's hiding at the back

Still hiding!

That is Sean at the back. Hard to capture!!

After this excitement, we set off back home via Farndon, and Saighton.  

Loop around the back of Churton

Saighton

Caldy Valley Nature Park

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.

___________________________________________________________

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