8/7/25
Llanerch y Mor on the Rans
I was anticipating a heat wave in the next day or so. Today was fairly cool and dry so I seized the opportunity to get out and see how far I could go. Naturally by the time I’d finished pratting about and made the decision it was 10:45 by the time I’d hit the road. Still, it would be light till late.
Home -Waverton.
I set off downhill into a headwind. Hopefully, despite its drawbacks, it would help me on the return journey. For the time being, it was pleasantly warm. Turning into Hall Lane I came across roadworks with a two man team with stop/go boards. After letting an oncoming vehicle through, I got the “Go” and got through without stopping. As payback I had to wait several minutes before getting through the lights at Darnhall bridge. In that time a couple of tractors with trailers arrived behind me. I set off uphill, one overtook me while the other one held back due to oncoming traffic then beeped loudly as he went by. A bit pointless, it wouldn’t make me go any faster.
I felt that I was making good progress despite the headwind. I turned right into Hickhurst Lane where I went into dogged plodding mode. I knew that it was a long gradual uphill to Eaton where I hoped to make the most of the undulating road to Four Lane Ends on the A49.
The hedgebanks sheltered me from the worst of the headwind. Progress was better than expected. I was soon at Eaton, climbing steeply to the junction where with a clear road I was able to turn left without stopping. Getting into high gear to rush the downhills with not too much time spent grinding over the tops, I reached the traffic lights at Four Lane Ends.
After a short wait I went straight on to the A49. This stretch is level then downhill to my turn off at Tiverton. There wasn’t much traffic so I was able to turn right here without having to hang around in rhe middle of the road waiting for a gap.
A short climb through the village, then mostly level or downhill towards Huxley. There wasn’t much of a headwind here so I made the most of it. A final dip then a rise, then left in Huxley, downhill to the junction with Long Lane where I turned right on to NCN 45.
Here the headwind was more noticeable, and I felt it all the way to the tall bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal where the road changes sides. As I approached the light was green, then red then changed as I was about to stop on the steep slope so I wound up over the top and got into the high gear to get some speed up downhill. My speed dwindled over the next quarter mile then disappeared as I climbed a rise. Speed was fairly mundane into Waverton where I got on to the pavement to avoid the lights, turned right then stopped at some benches at Eggbridge by the canal.
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This has become a regular staging post when I come this way. As I sat on a bench and got a choc bar out dozens of ducks came out of the water. Many of them parked themselves in front of me so I chucked a bit of biscuit in their direction. Plenty of squabbling, pecking and quacking ensued.
I had a glug of water then continued on my way.
Waverton -Flint
Brown Heath Road, left into Plough Lane, right into Village Lane then Little Heath Lane. Then across the A51 into Hare lane, over the A55 on a bridge, right into Bellevue Lane over the A55 again, to its junction with Guilden Sutton Lane, left uphill then right into an unmade road, over a railway bridge and on to a bridleway.
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Under another bridge, left up a ramp to the Chester Millenium Greenway, then right for Chester and Connah’s Quay.
At this end it is in a cutting with tall trees overhead and high walls on either side, crossed by the occasional bridge. I heard an aircraft and looked up, and after a minute or two the bulbous shape of an Airbus Beluga crossed over from left to right, either to land at Broughton to collect Airbus wings or en route to France to deliver some.
I carried on, comfortable in the knowledge that I could just follow this route to Hawarden Bridge without having to engage brain. I could just let it wander.
A woman on a touring bike steamed by, Carradice saddlebag swaying as she disappeared.
There were many dog walkers and other cyclists on the route. It’s always struck me how well used this amenity is. Despite reports last autumn of a gang of youths at the Blacon end nicking ebikes at knifepoint, people generally feel safe here. There were certainly many women walking alone talking on their phones or with headphones on, and others of all ages. Still, it doesn’t do to be complacent.
Once I’d crossed the Shropshire Union canal, traffic thinned out a bit. I passed through Blacon old station, and before long, crossed over the high bridge at Sealand. The buildings of the old RAF base are still there on one side of the multi lane road, some repurposed, but the other side is covered in industrial units, though I did see an arched structure holding a water tank, which might have been preserved from earlier times.
There is a bit of nostalgia in looking at those old MOD buildings of the 1938 expansion era, as I lived on many RAF bases with similar buildings as a child.
After taking in the scenery I swooped down the other side towards Hawarden Bridge Station. After my speed dropped to about 11mph a man on an immensely fat tyred ebike sailed past me. He was pedalling, but he was definitely doing more than 4mph faster than me. I’d seen a similar bike earlier. Presumably someone sells them locally.
Up the ramp to cross Hawarden Station Bridge. Going down the other side I could see that the narrow barriers which were here last year had gone. I turned under the bridge to follow the well surfaced path to Connahs Quay. Once past the dock the path was easy to follow though wound about through housing estates. Eventually it became part of a mixed use path on a pavement and stayed like this until outside the town. A couple of roundabouts and the path was on the edge of a dual carriageway for very few miles until reaching Flint.
Here it became confusing as the path must have split at another roundabout but I’d missed it. Anyhow, I found myself at the end where it entered a road, and across the road was another path with a sign for cyclists to return to the carriageway. I had some trouble getting to the other side of the road due to the busy traffic. I was feeling a bit hungry by now too so was on the lookout for somewhere to stop and eat.
Eventually I managed it and went with the traffic flow through the town centre until it opened out to a dual carriageway again. I spotted a sign for a McDonalds so I pulled in and locked up.
Flint to Llanerch y Mor
Once unhealthily full I retraced my steps to the town centre and followed signs for the castle.
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Here I picked up the trail again. A wide open entrance to a wooded path which first led to an A frame barrier, which once through led to a kissing gate, with another one visible not far away. If on the Linear I might have had a go as its rear mudguard is trimmed to allow standing on its rear wheel without damage but if these were the first in a series it would make for slow progress. They looked a bit short for even a standard bicycle. The scenario screamed “footpath” to me despite there being signs for the Wales Coast Path.
I went back the way I’d come and headed West through the town centre. I spotted a NCN 5 sign which led to a pavement path alongside the dual carriageway. I followed this for a few miles until for no apparent reason there was a sign for cyclists to cross over at a set of traffic lights.
Then followed a fairly pleasant stretch where local roads still existed having been bypassed by
road improvements. I passed through Bagillt and Walwen where the roads were quiet. Where there was no alternative the path was pleasant enough alongside dual carriageways.
However, the dual carriagewayed road soon ended and cyclists were cast into the busy traffic on quite narrow single lane roads. There were several miles of riding into a headwind while being battered by traffic noise which was not particularly pleasant. I was looking out for the Fun Ship market and beyond was Abakhan fabrics, a complex of shops at Llanerch y Mor.
I finally saw the silhouette of the grounded “Fun Ship” and soon afterwards turned into the shopping site. I had no intention of shopping for fabrics but was looking for access to a path through a gate to get on to the Wales Coast Path. The ship was behind an enormous gate plastered with warning notices, and the coast path to the West had a barrier which I didn’t explore as my time was up.
The coast path continued to the East over a bridge over a tidal creek with a number of steep steps. I heaved the Rans up and down the steps and followed the rough and flinty path, fearing for my tyres. I came to a point where I could get a picture of the bike and the ship.
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This ship is the “Duke of Lancaster”, a former Sealink ferry. It was brought here in the mid 80s to be used for seaside entertainments. It’s totally land bound. I believe the dock beneath it was drained, filled in and it’s now supported by a concrete cradle.
I followed the path a bit further to be confronted by a gate with a sizeable rock in front of it and behind it. Nobody was going through there unless they had a JCB in their back pocket.
A narrow path went off to the right so I went to see where it led. As expected, there was a kissing gate barrier, no real prospect of going back that way.
I accepted that the way home was the way I’d just come. At least there’d be a tailwind to marginally reduce the differential between my speed and the traffic’s.
In the hope of not having to heave the bike over that bridge again I continued back up the track towards the road. There was no barrier. Wish I’d known that earlier.
Llanerch y Mor to Flint
I got myself settled and launched for home.
As a bonus, there was less traffic in this direction.
The miles to the start of the bike paths seemed less, and even though time was relentlessly ticking by, I was hopeful that I’d get home before dark.
Since I’d already been this way, I had a better idea what to look for.
Walwen, Bagillt, soon I was in Flint heading for the castle and the cycle path to Connah’s Quay.
I took a picture of the bike and castle before pressing on.
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An Unexpected Diversion
I was soon at the roundabouts before Connah’s Quay. What was this? A cycle lane sign off the first roundabout? I’d come to the next roundabout from Connah’s Quay. Perhaps a different route.
I thought I’d try it.
A terrible mistake, as it turned out.
Not only did it bring me out on to the slip road of the A548 Dual carriageway but as I climbed up it, it became apparent that it led to the Flintshire Bridge. With the fast traffic and central barrier there was no hope of cutting across and going back. It was a motorway in all but name. So I rolled on in a lane less than half a metre wide, with a V shaped drainage channel to my left which was wider than my lane. On my right, the thundering traffic. Would I make the news, like the doddering old man who rode his mobility scooter in the wrong direction up the M6?
Well, time to man up and grow some, I suppose, though at this rate I’ll never be able to buy underpants that fit me ever again.
The painted line marking this “lane” stopped ahead and a sandy coloured wide pavement appeared. I had to stop to lift the bike on to it but it certainly felt better than what had come before. Yet further ahead it seemed to disappear as it came level with the main bridge supports. Did this mean I’d be riding in the inside lane?
As I came closer I saw that the sandy coloured track went behind a crash barrier and ran outside the bridge supports. Perhaps a refuge for the maintenance team. Once I was there, I stopped for a breather away from the traffic. Beyond the outside barrier the wind was fierce, and it was a long way to the river Dee below. I took my cap off and sat on it.
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I gathered myself together and set off again. At least it was all downhill from here. I never wanted to do that again.
I came to a roundabout which gave little information other than more dual carriageway ahead in the wrong direction or industrial estates nearby. I took one of the roads but it was a dead end unless I wanted a power station or Tata steel.
I was coming to the conclusion that the least worst option was to go back over the bridge unless I wanted to end up wasting even more time.
So, off I went again, at least with some idea what to expect this time. Pretty much the same, with a better idea of where I was going. I’d lost about an hour with this unnecessary diversion. I still never want to do that again.
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Connah’s Quay to Waverton
I finally got into Connah’s Quay, jammed with traffic and roadworks. It took some time to get through all that, then finally I saw a sign for Chester and made my escape.
I came out near Hawarden Bridge, crossed over, and got on to the Wales Coast Path again towards Chester. Apart from a couple of bridges with barriers the path was dead straight for mile after mile. No matter how fast I pedalled the horizon stayed put. There were a few cyclists about, some coming home from work, others with all the gear out for a ride. Also scooterists and a surprising number of inline skaters.
Eventually the path began to curve and the canalised section of the Dee ended, and it curved away to the right. The path went through a park and I rode out through the furthest exit onto a shared pavement path. It crossed the access of the Shropshire Union canal to the Dee which was full of reeds. Obviously not been used for a while.
Across the road was the end of Tower St. I crossed over and cycled uphill past the ancient tower. A little further to the right was the entrance to the ramp down to the canal. I waited for a couple of women to pass then pedalled left under a bridge to the towpath opposite Telford’s Wharf. A little further on, a bridge took me to the other side of the canal. I trundled on. It was quite busy here. A couple of hurrying cyclists overtook me, I stopped for passers by on foot. A family group pulled in to the side with their dog to let me pass.
Finally I came to the Saxon Warrior that marks the access to the Cheshire Greenway.
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Up I went, planning to stop at Waverton for my next break.
Steady pedalling brought me to the turn off for Guilden Sutton, left down a ramp, right under a bridge, along a bridleway, left on Guilder Sutton Lane then right into Bellvue Lane, following it to a junction with Hare Lane, across the A51 to Little Heath Lane then Village Lane. Left into Plough Lane, right into Brownhills Lane to Waverton. Right along Eggbridge lane, left to the canal after Egg Bridge to subside on a bench. There was a carpet of ducks on the grass until a dog walker appeared with a loose dog, when they all poured in a feathered torrent into the canal.
I was saving a Kit Kat and a Diet Pepsi for this last break before home. Once the dog walker and his dog had gone down the towpath, the ducks poured back out of the canal to settle on the grass again. A handful hung around to eyeball me in hope of a crumb. Not this time, me duck.
The sky was still light but it was becoming gloomy.
Waverton to Home
I attached my headlight and set it to slow flash mode as I wasn’t too sure of the battery status. I set the tail light to flash and set off. Left on to Eggbridge Lane then left for Long Lane and the tall canal bridge. Once over the tall bridge, a bit more pace to the turn off for Huxley, left up a long hill. Through Huxley, a right turn, a dip and a climb, and gradual long uphill to Tiverton. It seemed even longer as darkness was falling. Not much traffic since Waverton, fortunately.
A break at the Junction with the A49, feeling a bit wan. I put the headlight to constant since the battery was holding out. Left, then a long climb before the road levelled out ahead of the traffic lights. I braced myself for one last effort over the undulations to Eaton with the expectation of a fairly downhill run and following wind for most of the last part of my ride once beyond Eaton.
A green light, and off I went across the crossing. A run at the first slope, a grind over the top then an increase in speed down the other side before slowing again up another climb. Not so easy to plan ahead by bike light, a bit more to climb then over the top to get speed up to attack the next one. A bit awkward as the road winds about as well as climbs here. This would be a good spot for a car to turn up from behind to throw some light about. Finally, up the last pitch into Eaton, round some tight bends and downhill into Hickhurst Lane.
A long dip, a cat crossing the road ahead as I gathered speed, but gone before I got there. Speed dropping again as I reached the top. Another cat sauntering across, then seeing me sprinted for the hedge. Now mostly downhill with the occasional burst of pedalling.
The final flat stretch of Hickhurst lane was very wearing, peering ahead for the give way sign on Winsford Road that was slow in coming.
On to Hall Lane, into Darnhall and getting into high gear ready to charge the dip when the lights changed. Definitely feeling underpowered crawling up the other side, changing up to dawdle the rest of the way to my back gate.
Distance 89.95 miles (90 miles as near as dammit). Max speed 27.3 mph. Average 8.3. According to Garmin.
Ascent 1637 ft. According to Bikehike.
