a.twiddler
Veteran
27/8/24
A ride from last year (also posted on Recumbent Rides)
Home to Connah’s Quay and back.
From Home to Wrenbury
Alas, not an ideal day. Some chance of showers, and a westerly wind.
Anyway, round the block, through the road works at Darnhall bridge, plodding doggedly to Wettenhall, left at the Chester -Wrexham road to Nantwich, then on to a pavement cycle path opposite Reaseheath College. I then followed a cycle path alongside the river Weaver, which was very pleasant. A passer by randomly said “That’s a fine tool you have there”. Under a road then up on to the pavement to the lights at Welsh Row. Right into Welsh Row, then eventually left into a minor road which led to the Canal bridge and the road to Wrenbury. Back into the persistent headwind again, which together with the gradual climb did nothing for my speed.
Wrenbury to Harthill
Once beyond Wrenbury, a feeling that at least the high hedge banks between here and the A49 were helping to keep the wind off, and certainly the climbing felt better. Once across the A49, through Cholmondeley, past a wooded area of ancient Scots pines. The tall trees moved majestically as the wind rumbled through them, but I couldn’t help wondering how often one of them came down. Further in, things were calmer, though the uphill was still noticeable between the reddish trunks. Soon I came out on an area with more widely spaced deciduous trees on the right, and fields with high banks on the left. The high banks kept the wind off, but the sibilant leaves were loud over the rushing of the wind. Finally I reached a summit, and the trend became downhill towards Bickerton. I was still on NCN 45. After a right turn at a T junction came a sign for Bickerton, and the road sloped downhill to a cross roads with the A534.
Once across, a gradual uphill then a steady downhill to the junction with Harthill Lane, following NCN 45 right. The climb to Harthill began, a long fairly steep climb from the junction, round a left hand bend and a short sharp pitch to the summit. The small spire of the Primary School came into view, then the low mausoleum in the churchyard, then the vista of All Saints’ Church with a similar, but much older, spire. It is so theatrical that someone could have planned the approach up the hill for dramatic effect.
Harthill to Waverton
I continued over the top without stopping and was soon getting up some good downhill speed, constrained only by the limited visibility between high hedge banks, and a winding road. I was rapidly approaching the next climb. It was steeper than the one at Harthill. Another sharp left hand bend. A truck and trailer came up behind and I pulled over and waved them past. Once round the bend the summit was visible and I spun over it. There was then a clear downhill run for several miles, after what had felt like endless uphill and headwinds, where I was able to enjoy striding along in high gear towards the muted Georgian elegance of Tattenhall. Once in Tattenhall, right at the next two junctions then left for Huxley. After crossing the railway and canal bridges in short order, some more gradual downhill speed past the turn off for Huxley heading for Waverton. I thought I was doing rather well until the downhill levelled out and a grim faced road bike rider stormed past, mostly in black. I wondered what it took to make him smile?
Once across its high traffic light controlled bridge I was accompanied on the right by the Shropshire Union Canal with its colourful boats most of the way into Waverton. Non stop so far. Definitely time for a Pie Stop at Waverton, at 32.82 miles.
Waverton to Connah’s Quay
After a welcome break, off I went up Brown Heath Road, through some roadworks, left on to Plough lane to Christleton. Right into Village Lane, through a cross roads into Little Heath Lane. Some quaint older suburbs here, everything clean and well maintained as I dawdled by. Soon I was on Bye Pass Lane then Littleton Lane. This terminated at the A51. There was a pedestrian and bike crossing some way to the right so I wheeled down the pavement and pressed the button. The traffic stopped, I crossed, and was soon rolling on the gradual uphill on Hare Lane opposite. I made a mental note to return this way. Just before I was due to turn right into Bellvue Lane there were barriers and a road closed sign.
I seem to be seeing a lot of this sort of thing recently.
There were two works trucks parked in front of the barriers. I leaned the bike on a telephone pole and spoke to a workman in one of them to ask about access for cyclists. He said no problem, they were just going to leave, and by the time I got back to the bike, both trucks had disappeared down the road.
I turned right down Bellevue Lane following a deep trench.
The trench and barriers ended after a few hundred yards and soon afterwards the lane turned sharp left then came to a T junction at Guilden Sutton Lane. Left here, then about a hundred yards ahead on the right was a green sign -”Greenway Chester”. I followed the sign which led to an unpaved road then a rather overgrown bridleway, more like a footpath. I seem to be negotiating a lot of this kind of thing lately, too.
I followed this downhill for about a quarter of a mile, under a bridge, sharp left and up a ramp. Here there was a sign, left for Mickle Trafford, right for Chester City Centre/Hawarden Bridge.
I turned right and set off at a steady pace towards Chester. The Greenway here was in a cutting with tall trees either side, and overbridges at intervals. The surface is good tarmac but does have some surprising dips and rises for a rail trail. I came to a park where many people were walking after which the trail was level or higher than the surrounding area.
It had been mostly dry up to now, a few rain spots when approaching Wrenbury and Waverton, but now it started to drizzle. I crossed the Shropshire Union Canal and continued through the old station at Blacon. The rain had set in by then, no mere shower, so I carried on, hoping it would pass. There was plenty of overhanging greenery to absorb the worst of it but by the time I got near to the old RAF camp at Sealand, that too was dripping steadily. My original intention had been to press on beyond the 50 mile point, hopefully to Flint where there was a McDonalds, maybe as far as Abakhan Fabrics at Mostyn, about 56 miles, before turning back but with the unexpected headwind my schedule had been pushed back. I thought I’d give myself until 14:00 before deciding, then stretched it to15:00. Despite being wet, I was feeling good, but if it was going to continue raining, I’d prefer to be home before dark.
I pushed on to the high bridge over the dual carriageway at Sealand, then zoomed down the other side back under the trees that lined the route.
I turned off for Hawarden Bridge and was soon climbing the ramp that led to the station. Squeezing through the A -frame barrier that led on to the combined cycleway and footway on the bridge, a train rumbled past alongside me. I dawdled across, looking at the old wooden pilings and the polished brown of the water. It was low tide, and I could smell the mud. I squeezed through another A -frame barrier and followed a sign under the bridge towards Flint. I’d noticed that the local A -frame barriers were slightly narrower than the ones nearer home, and I had to wiggle to get the seat frame through, which was not a real problem, just that it added a slight delay each time.
I was now on the Wales Coast Path, which so far seemed to be well surfaced and signposted. There were A -frame barriers interspersed with staggered U -shaped ones, which were easier to negotiate. I came across a group of cyclists who seemed to be loading their bikes into cars after a ride. I said “hi” but they seemed nonplussed by the sight of this loon riding by on this weird bike in the rain. I came to Connah’s Quay Harbour where the trail joined the road for a bit. It was nearly 15:00 so I decided to go a bit further and rejoined the signposted path for a while. It seemed a bit indirect from here, might have been quicker to use the road. Anyhow, time to turn back.
I stopped at Connah’s Quay to take a few photos
then pressed on to Hawarden Bridge.
I reached the 50 mile mark as I neared the bridge, and pondered whether to make the most of the tail wind and ride the Wales Coast Path which was dead straight and flat to Chester, or go back on the Greenway which was less flat but more sheltered. A fresh burst of rain as I was crossing the bridge made my mind up for me – the Greenway it was.
Down the ramp and back under the trees, I trundled on, now pulled by the magnetic attraction of home. The tail wind helped some, even with the surrounding trees. I climbed the high bridge at Sealand, then pedalled steadily down the other side to keep my speed up as long as possible. The speed dropped to a steady trundle. The raindrops kept falling on my head (I know a song about that), the pedals kept turning, and the landscape rolled soggily by.
There seemed to be a long long gradual uphill until I reached the old Blacon station site then things became easier. As I got closer to Chester the rain eased, then stopped. I came to the bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal, then leaned the bike against the parapet and had a walk about and a peer over the side.
It was noticeable that walkers and cyclists at the Chester end were much friendlier than at the Hawarden end. Whether this was related to the amount of rain that habitually fell on them I couldn’t say, but I certainly felt more optimistic once I’d reached Chester.
By the time I’d reached my turn off near the end of the Greenway my trousers had dried out. I turned down the ramp, right under the bridge then ascended the bridleway to come out on Guilden Sutton Lane. Here I had a quick look at my map before deciding to turn right here for Pipers Ash. A steady climb, with traffic queuing for the major road at the T junction at the top of the hill. However, I turned left here just beforehand through some Road Closed signs and enjoyed a traffic free ride to the other side of the barriers I’d come to earlier.
I followed the footway to an open space where it swopped to the other side of the road. Here I waited while a lady cyclist came the other way. She looked as if she was enjoying the traffic fee road too. I noticed she was riding a silver ladies’ Claud Butler. After passing through the rest of the barriers I carried on down Hare Lane over the M53 and came out on the A51 at Vicar’s Cross. I used the crossing as before and was soon on Littleton Lane, then Bye Pass Lane. Little Heath Lane, Village Lane, through Christleton then Plough Lane, right through some roadworks on to Brown Heath Lane to Waverton. Alas, the pie shop had closed but with Plan B and some supplies in my bag I turned right on Eggbridge Road then stopped at the canal by Egg Bridge to recharge on a bench. This is becoming a favoured stopping point. A couple of chaps fishing, some ducks coming hopefully out of the water when they heard the rustle of a crisp packet, walkers and cyclists passing by. No rain. All very pleasant.
Waverton to Home
I put the rear flashing light on before setting off.
The last leg now, alongside the canal until the road crosses the tall bridge and the canal wanders away. To the Huxley turn off, then towards Tiverton. A few spots of rain again but it didn’t live up to its threat.
I reached the A49 at Tiverton. I switched the front flashing light on and turned left uphill. The road levelled out, I lined up with the lane for straight ahead, all set to power through then the lights changed. Pfftt! Brakes, clunking down through the gears ready for the green, foot down, twiddling of the thumbs.
A green light then the launch, on to a quieter road away from the traffic. This road, to Eaton, has a series of humps and dips which give the chance to gain and lose speed dramatically. So off up the initial climb, with traffic noise from the A49 which turns away behind, then down the other side gaining as much speed as possible downhill before losing it by the next summit. Three peaks altogether, the last one in Eaton before turning right for Hickhurst Lane. Powering downhill, lighting up a speed indicator board on the next incline with a green smiley face at 18mph before it all leaked away uphill again. Then along a series of downhills through the quiet lanes, the reward for all the hard pedalling on the narrow, potentially fast -trafficked road to Eaton.
Losing momentum but still easy pedalling to the T junction where Hickhurst Lane meets Hall Lane, then left along the temporarily traffic free route to Darnhall Bridge. Through the pedestrian access, then climbing the other side at my leisure with no worries about traffic. Coming to the end of this stretch of road I saw that I’d only done 78 miles, and went round the block to round it up to 80 miles. Disappointed that wind and weather had stopped me from doing a hundred mile ride today, though consoled myself that I’d done a kilo -metric century (about 62 m), at least. Not being any sort of athlete, I suppose I should be happy with that. There’s still the possibility that I could do it before the nights close in in a month or so, given the right weather. I would certainly like a longer look at the Wales Coast Path around Flint. Perhaps on the Spirit next time, as I’ve been experimenting with the gearing.
I arrived at my back gate at 8pm. 12 hours door to door.
As I did a near 360 degree turn in the road to access my back gate, a man on a mobility scooter called out, “that is so awesome!” and I suppose it is, really. “Thank you!” I replied.
Distance 80.11 miles Max 30.5 mph Average 7.6mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 1792 ft. According to Bikehike.
A ride from last year (also posted on Recumbent Rides)
Home to Connah’s Quay and back.
From Home to Wrenbury
Alas, not an ideal day. Some chance of showers, and a westerly wind.
Anyway, round the block, through the road works at Darnhall bridge, plodding doggedly to Wettenhall, left at the Chester -Wrexham road to Nantwich, then on to a pavement cycle path opposite Reaseheath College. I then followed a cycle path alongside the river Weaver, which was very pleasant. A passer by randomly said “That’s a fine tool you have there”. Under a road then up on to the pavement to the lights at Welsh Row. Right into Welsh Row, then eventually left into a minor road which led to the Canal bridge and the road to Wrenbury. Back into the persistent headwind again, which together with the gradual climb did nothing for my speed.
Wrenbury to Harthill
Once beyond Wrenbury, a feeling that at least the high hedge banks between here and the A49 were helping to keep the wind off, and certainly the climbing felt better. Once across the A49, through Cholmondeley, past a wooded area of ancient Scots pines. The tall trees moved majestically as the wind rumbled through them, but I couldn’t help wondering how often one of them came down. Further in, things were calmer, though the uphill was still noticeable between the reddish trunks. Soon I came out on an area with more widely spaced deciduous trees on the right, and fields with high banks on the left. The high banks kept the wind off, but the sibilant leaves were loud over the rushing of the wind. Finally I reached a summit, and the trend became downhill towards Bickerton. I was still on NCN 45. After a right turn at a T junction came a sign for Bickerton, and the road sloped downhill to a cross roads with the A534.
Once across, a gradual uphill then a steady downhill to the junction with Harthill Lane, following NCN 45 right. The climb to Harthill began, a long fairly steep climb from the junction, round a left hand bend and a short sharp pitch to the summit. The small spire of the Primary School came into view, then the low mausoleum in the churchyard, then the vista of All Saints’ Church with a similar, but much older, spire. It is so theatrical that someone could have planned the approach up the hill for dramatic effect.
Harthill to Waverton
I continued over the top without stopping and was soon getting up some good downhill speed, constrained only by the limited visibility between high hedge banks, and a winding road. I was rapidly approaching the next climb. It was steeper than the one at Harthill. Another sharp left hand bend. A truck and trailer came up behind and I pulled over and waved them past. Once round the bend the summit was visible and I spun over it. There was then a clear downhill run for several miles, after what had felt like endless uphill and headwinds, where I was able to enjoy striding along in high gear towards the muted Georgian elegance of Tattenhall. Once in Tattenhall, right at the next two junctions then left for Huxley. After crossing the railway and canal bridges in short order, some more gradual downhill speed past the turn off for Huxley heading for Waverton. I thought I was doing rather well until the downhill levelled out and a grim faced road bike rider stormed past, mostly in black. I wondered what it took to make him smile?
Once across its high traffic light controlled bridge I was accompanied on the right by the Shropshire Union Canal with its colourful boats most of the way into Waverton. Non stop so far. Definitely time for a Pie Stop at Waverton, at 32.82 miles.
Waverton to Connah’s Quay
After a welcome break, off I went up Brown Heath Road, through some roadworks, left on to Plough lane to Christleton. Right into Village Lane, through a cross roads into Little Heath Lane. Some quaint older suburbs here, everything clean and well maintained as I dawdled by. Soon I was on Bye Pass Lane then Littleton Lane. This terminated at the A51. There was a pedestrian and bike crossing some way to the right so I wheeled down the pavement and pressed the button. The traffic stopped, I crossed, and was soon rolling on the gradual uphill on Hare Lane opposite. I made a mental note to return this way. Just before I was due to turn right into Bellvue Lane there were barriers and a road closed sign.
I seem to be seeing a lot of this sort of thing recently.
There were two works trucks parked in front of the barriers. I leaned the bike on a telephone pole and spoke to a workman in one of them to ask about access for cyclists. He said no problem, they were just going to leave, and by the time I got back to the bike, both trucks had disappeared down the road.
I turned right down Bellevue Lane following a deep trench.
The trench and barriers ended after a few hundred yards and soon afterwards the lane turned sharp left then came to a T junction at Guilden Sutton Lane. Left here, then about a hundred yards ahead on the right was a green sign -”Greenway Chester”. I followed the sign which led to an unpaved road then a rather overgrown bridleway, more like a footpath. I seem to be negotiating a lot of this kind of thing lately, too.
I followed this downhill for about a quarter of a mile, under a bridge, sharp left and up a ramp. Here there was a sign, left for Mickle Trafford, right for Chester City Centre/Hawarden Bridge.
I turned right and set off at a steady pace towards Chester. The Greenway here was in a cutting with tall trees either side, and overbridges at intervals. The surface is good tarmac but does have some surprising dips and rises for a rail trail. I came to a park where many people were walking after which the trail was level or higher than the surrounding area.
It had been mostly dry up to now, a few rain spots when approaching Wrenbury and Waverton, but now it started to drizzle. I crossed the Shropshire Union Canal and continued through the old station at Blacon. The rain had set in by then, no mere shower, so I carried on, hoping it would pass. There was plenty of overhanging greenery to absorb the worst of it but by the time I got near to the old RAF camp at Sealand, that too was dripping steadily. My original intention had been to press on beyond the 50 mile point, hopefully to Flint where there was a McDonalds, maybe as far as Abakhan Fabrics at Mostyn, about 56 miles, before turning back but with the unexpected headwind my schedule had been pushed back. I thought I’d give myself until 14:00 before deciding, then stretched it to15:00. Despite being wet, I was feeling good, but if it was going to continue raining, I’d prefer to be home before dark.
I pushed on to the high bridge over the dual carriageway at Sealand, then zoomed down the other side back under the trees that lined the route.
I turned off for Hawarden Bridge and was soon climbing the ramp that led to the station. Squeezing through the A -frame barrier that led on to the combined cycleway and footway on the bridge, a train rumbled past alongside me. I dawdled across, looking at the old wooden pilings and the polished brown of the water. It was low tide, and I could smell the mud. I squeezed through another A -frame barrier and followed a sign under the bridge towards Flint. I’d noticed that the local A -frame barriers were slightly narrower than the ones nearer home, and I had to wiggle to get the seat frame through, which was not a real problem, just that it added a slight delay each time.
I was now on the Wales Coast Path, which so far seemed to be well surfaced and signposted. There were A -frame barriers interspersed with staggered U -shaped ones, which were easier to negotiate. I came across a group of cyclists who seemed to be loading their bikes into cars after a ride. I said “hi” but they seemed nonplussed by the sight of this loon riding by on this weird bike in the rain. I came to Connah’s Quay Harbour where the trail joined the road for a bit. It was nearly 15:00 so I decided to go a bit further and rejoined the signposted path for a while. It seemed a bit indirect from here, might have been quicker to use the road. Anyhow, time to turn back.
I stopped at Connah’s Quay to take a few photos
then pressed on to Hawarden Bridge.
I reached the 50 mile mark as I neared the bridge, and pondered whether to make the most of the tail wind and ride the Wales Coast Path which was dead straight and flat to Chester, or go back on the Greenway which was less flat but more sheltered. A fresh burst of rain as I was crossing the bridge made my mind up for me – the Greenway it was.
Down the ramp and back under the trees, I trundled on, now pulled by the magnetic attraction of home. The tail wind helped some, even with the surrounding trees. I climbed the high bridge at Sealand, then pedalled steadily down the other side to keep my speed up as long as possible. The speed dropped to a steady trundle. The raindrops kept falling on my head (I know a song about that), the pedals kept turning, and the landscape rolled soggily by.
There seemed to be a long long gradual uphill until I reached the old Blacon station site then things became easier. As I got closer to Chester the rain eased, then stopped. I came to the bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal, then leaned the bike against the parapet and had a walk about and a peer over the side.
It was noticeable that walkers and cyclists at the Chester end were much friendlier than at the Hawarden end. Whether this was related to the amount of rain that habitually fell on them I couldn’t say, but I certainly felt more optimistic once I’d reached Chester.
By the time I’d reached my turn off near the end of the Greenway my trousers had dried out. I turned down the ramp, right under the bridge then ascended the bridleway to come out on Guilden Sutton Lane. Here I had a quick look at my map before deciding to turn right here for Pipers Ash. A steady climb, with traffic queuing for the major road at the T junction at the top of the hill. However, I turned left here just beforehand through some Road Closed signs and enjoyed a traffic free ride to the other side of the barriers I’d come to earlier.
I followed the footway to an open space where it swopped to the other side of the road. Here I waited while a lady cyclist came the other way. She looked as if she was enjoying the traffic fee road too. I noticed she was riding a silver ladies’ Claud Butler. After passing through the rest of the barriers I carried on down Hare Lane over the M53 and came out on the A51 at Vicar’s Cross. I used the crossing as before and was soon on Littleton Lane, then Bye Pass Lane. Little Heath Lane, Village Lane, through Christleton then Plough Lane, right through some roadworks on to Brown Heath Lane to Waverton. Alas, the pie shop had closed but with Plan B and some supplies in my bag I turned right on Eggbridge Road then stopped at the canal by Egg Bridge to recharge on a bench. This is becoming a favoured stopping point. A couple of chaps fishing, some ducks coming hopefully out of the water when they heard the rustle of a crisp packet, walkers and cyclists passing by. No rain. All very pleasant.
Waverton to Home
I put the rear flashing light on before setting off.
The last leg now, alongside the canal until the road crosses the tall bridge and the canal wanders away. To the Huxley turn off, then towards Tiverton. A few spots of rain again but it didn’t live up to its threat.
I reached the A49 at Tiverton. I switched the front flashing light on and turned left uphill. The road levelled out, I lined up with the lane for straight ahead, all set to power through then the lights changed. Pfftt! Brakes, clunking down through the gears ready for the green, foot down, twiddling of the thumbs.
A green light then the launch, on to a quieter road away from the traffic. This road, to Eaton, has a series of humps and dips which give the chance to gain and lose speed dramatically. So off up the initial climb, with traffic noise from the A49 which turns away behind, then down the other side gaining as much speed as possible downhill before losing it by the next summit. Three peaks altogether, the last one in Eaton before turning right for Hickhurst Lane. Powering downhill, lighting up a speed indicator board on the next incline with a green smiley face at 18mph before it all leaked away uphill again. Then along a series of downhills through the quiet lanes, the reward for all the hard pedalling on the narrow, potentially fast -trafficked road to Eaton.
Losing momentum but still easy pedalling to the T junction where Hickhurst Lane meets Hall Lane, then left along the temporarily traffic free route to Darnhall Bridge. Through the pedestrian access, then climbing the other side at my leisure with no worries about traffic. Coming to the end of this stretch of road I saw that I’d only done 78 miles, and went round the block to round it up to 80 miles. Disappointed that wind and weather had stopped me from doing a hundred mile ride today, though consoled myself that I’d done a kilo -metric century (about 62 m), at least. Not being any sort of athlete, I suppose I should be happy with that. There’s still the possibility that I could do it before the nights close in in a month or so, given the right weather. I would certainly like a longer look at the Wales Coast Path around Flint. Perhaps on the Spirit next time, as I’ve been experimenting with the gearing.
I arrived at my back gate at 8pm. 12 hours door to door.
As I did a near 360 degree turn in the road to access my back gate, a man on a mobility scooter called out, “that is so awesome!” and I suppose it is, really. “Thank you!” I replied.
Distance 80.11 miles Max 30.5 mph Average 7.6mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 1792 ft. According to Bikehike.
