9/6/25
On the Linear to Church Minshull-Wettenhall-Calveley-Long Lane-Eaton Lane-home
I was disappointed not to get even a tiny ride in yesterday with the unpredictable weather so with less wind and some general greyness I set off with no particular destination in mind. Definitely not T shirt weather today so I had my gilet on as well as my other nondescript gear.
I went left downhill from my back gate as that was the course of least resistance. I found myself heading for Darnhall bridge with its dip and traffic lights. As I climbed up the other side I had a sort of IMax view in my mind of the surrounding countryside. If I went straight on I would eventually hit the A51 at Reaseheath. If I turned right a few miles before then all lanes still led to the A51. If I took the next right I would eventually reach the A51/A49 at Four Lane Ends, or the A54. If I took the next left in Wettenhall, still a few miles away, I would end up on Over Road Which despite being a minor road, could be busy with traffic at times. Still, in the pursuit of a tranquil ride, the least worst option.
So, I continued to Wettenhall, turned left into Minshull Lane and began to have thoughts of maybe having another go at Alsager’s Bank. It was a bit late in the day, but it would stay light until late. Unfortunately some fat raindrops then began to fall though they were a bit sporadic. I turned into Woodgreen Lane and stopped under a tree to shelter until the worst of it had passed. A field full of cows began to take an interest, lowing and moving towards the side of the field where I was. I set off through the intermittent raindrops. I kicked Alsagers Bank into the long grass for today.
The long grass.
There was plenty of shelter from overhanging trees so it was pleasant enough.
The road turned sharp left and in the distance a large truck could be seen approaching. There is a distribution depot at the other end of Paradise Lane. I suppose it depends on where their destination is, but there seems to be regular traffic along this narrow lane. I pulled over to let him get past.
The lane turned sharp right and soon traffic passing the end of it at Over Road could be seen. A motor bike, a couple of cars, a group of cars in the other direction, then a long gap. The rain had eased off to an occasional drop by now.
I came to the junction ready to turn right. A long column of cars from the right, a couple from the left, then I was away.
The road was level for half a mile, then went left and downhill. I took my cap off and sat on it, then got going in high gear downhill. The traffic was distracting. With one eye on the mirror and the other on the road ahead, I pedalled until I spun out, then freewheeled. A couple of cars overtook, then I started pedalling as the road swung right, left, and undulated into Church Minshull. I’d hoped to get some pictures passing through but the traffic was oppressive.
Through a chicane without having to stop, right at a mini roundabout where a large truck was obligingly blocking traffic from the right as he couldn’t move until the traffic behind me had gone.
Through the village,
through another chicane then up a long gradual uphill.
At the top I signalled to turn right but then a group of cars appeared so I continued forwards into an entrance to let following traffic pass, then turned right then left into Minshull Lane. The raindrops started falling on my head and I realised that I was still sitting on my cap. I stopped under a tree after a few hundred yards to put it on. I carried on. I was still getting just as wet but the psychological effect of not getting rain on my specs made me feel much better about it.
Soon I arrived at Wettenhall, turned left into Cholmondeston then right on to Calveley Green Lane. Since the rain wasn’t heavy and was intermittent I thought I’d add a few extra miles by going this way. I’d used this lane as part of a regular loop while expanding my mileage with the HPV Spirit early last year but hadn’t been this way since. I was reminded how this was a soul destroying climb that didn’t look like a climb. The effort was there but the progress was slow, and it was only by looking at the Garmin that I could tell that I was ascending foot by foot.
Traffic came the other way which I assumed was the school traffic run on the way home after picking up kids from Calveley Green primary school. Stereotypically giant SUVs seemingly needed to pick up the tiniest of kids.
After what seemed to be an awfully long drag I came to a junction with Calveley Hall Lane and turned right. There was a road closed sign but a car came the other way so I pressed on hopefully. Someone on a mega fat tyred ebike then came the other way so I felt a bit more optimistic. The route was flatter so my progress became easier. Another road closed sign facing the other way eased my pessimism. The rain had stopped, and I hoped that it would stay that way.
After another climb, I came to a T junction with Long Lane with a diversion sign to the left, so naturally I turned right. After a short uphill Long Lane stretched out mostly downhill in a straight line ahead of me. The occasional vehicle hurtled past me and I made easy progress. A Wettenhall sign appeared, then I turned left on to Eaton Lane.
This was a pleasant lane which wound about with a few gentle ups and downs. I didn’t come across another vehicle until just before I came to the T junction with Hickhurst Lane. There was a bare grey pole at the junction. I remembered it from my New Year’s day ride last year. Nobody had replaced the missing signs since I’d been here last. I’d had to use guesswork then, but at least I knew where I was today.
I turned right and was soon at the T junction on Hall Lane where I turned left for Darnhall. I was tempted to stop at the wayside bench at Darnhall village hall but went straight on as a couple of cars had just gone past and I hoped the Darnhall bridge lights would still be at green.
Sure enough, they were, so I charged downhill and up the other side without having to get into too low a gear before reaching the summit. Then a more leisurely ride until I reached my back gate.
Distance 20.70 miles. Max speed 33.16 mph. Average 8.1 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 384 ft. According to Bikehike.
