a.twiddler
Veteran
31/5/26
Recumbent Ride
Rans Pootle and unexpected speed on the Test Hill of Doom.
Cloudy, breezy, not so hot today. I was feeling a bit down at having got to the last day in May without getting anywhere near my targets for this year’s cycling yet. So, I already had enough supplies on the bike to keep me going if I decided to go further today but my main intention was to go for a pootle and take it from there.
Left or right out of the gate? Left gave me more options without having to go into town. Off I went, downhill into a noticeable headwind. A helping hand on the way back, I hoped.
I turned into Hall Lane and shortly afterwards a group of bepanniered touring cyclists came the other way. They tinkled their bells merrily at me, I tinkled back.
As I approached Darnhall bridge, I hoped for a car to overtake to trigger the lights. Not today, but I was far enough up the hill when they changed to green to give time for a bit of a run up. It seemed easy, until I ran into the headwind that the dip had been sheltering me from. It was a pleasant breeze, not too hot or cold, so I counted my blessings and carried on.
I came to the turning for Hickhurst Lane and plodded on into the wind in the direction of Eaton. It seemed a bit of an uphill grind today. The sky got greyer and I wondered if the rain would hold off. I mentally tossed a coin and made a spur of the moment decision to turn right into Dogmore Lane.
The going got easier as the slope eased and the wind was behind me. Through Rushton Spencer, along the old wall of Oulton Park,
which has had some patching recently. Brownhills Road loomed on the left. I turned into it and soon heard loud voices. A bunch of cyclists came the other way.
I came to the high hedgebanked junction with Beech Lane and turned carefully right. A steep downhill followed, allowing me to pedal furiously to get up the other side. There were some gnarly potholes at the bottom, though the lack of traffic allowed me to swerve about and miss most of them. Easing over the summit and gaining speed again through the woods past the modern entrance to Oulton Park motor racing circuit,
then left opposite the old gateway, into Coach Road before a right turn into the crowded woodland car park of Little Budworth Country Park.
A brief expedition to inspect the plumbing then out on to Coach road again to the right.
It was quite busy here with traffic on the road and horse riders in the woods.
I came to a crossroads. Coach Road straight on, Beech Road as a muddy and puddled bridleway to the left, Beech Road as a metalled road to the right. Beech Road to the right it was, and I got going again.
More dog walkers, a bit of up and down then just before I turned left into White Hall Lane, “Santa’s Xmas Tree Land”! Whaat? Just to remind me of my gloomy thoughts about time passing quickly at the beginning of this ride. Presumably, the signs are up all year. I carried on up White Hall Lane.
I came to where it crosses the A54 with its hurtling traffic then continues as Pit Lane on the other side. Safely across, I followed it to where it meets Longstone Lane. Left then straight on for an unexpectedly long way until just past the junction with Shays Lane on the right there was the Long Stone on the left. I stopped for a photo.
The remains of a headless cross, one of several on the former pilgrims’ route to Vale Royal Abbey.
Then, on to Shays Lane for a mostly downhill route to where it joins Clay Lane, then mostly uphill again.
I stopped to look at what I originally thought was a pheasant but which turned out to be several guinea fowl which were pottering around in the road before crossing it and disappearing through a hedge. Pretty birds but incredibly noisy.
Just after I got going a bunch of cyclists passed me going uphill, and a few minutes later another bunch passed me in the other direction.
As I came to the summit I debated whether to go back via the Whitegate Way and check on the status of the Whitegate Road Bridge, or go on via Cinder Hill and Whitegate village.
I went straight on over the bridge and down the other side but before I’d gone very far I realised I had a headwind which meant that any attempt at getting a new highest speed down Cinder Hill (aka the Test Hill of Doom) wouldn’t have a promising start. I turned round and went back over the bridge into the old station car park. There were many bikes at the car park, most with mudguards as I passed through en route to the loo. Might as well make the most of the conveniences since I was there. I went to the car park exit and saw that there was a footbridge closed sign. Bridgeworks extended until June, it said.
Ah well then, Cinder Hill it would have to be so I set off with no more ado. I followed the rail trail to the platform, stopped to remove a leafy twig from my back wheel and emerged a bit theatrically from behind a parked car to see a row of cyclists getting ready for the off. “I like that bike!” said one of them, giving a thumbs up and clicking his tongue. “Thank you,” I replied as I rolled by.
Up the exit ramp, over the bridge and riding a bit more purposefully towards the junction with Dalefords Lane. Straight across. I had my clip on chinstrap attached to my cap today so no fear of it blowing off. I kept rolling to where the downhill begins.
I could see a car coming up in the distance behind but just kept going. I’d got a good speed up at the narrowest part of the hill but still he kept on coming, a big black SUV, and then he squeezed past.
As expected, a bit further on he braked for oncoming traffic but he was far enough ahead for me not to have to brake too. I was still pedalling at this point. Although not a school day I eased off where there were 20mph signs a bit further on and turned right into Vale Royal Drive then Sutton Field before turning right into the downhill Mill Lane and left into Grange Lane.
After passing some cottages, instead of plunging into woodland immediately, I came across this
another scene of improvements. I wondered if this access would be barriered off too. Fortunately, it was clear and though the rather narrow path through the wood was becoming overgrown, at present it was passable and was an easy, pleasant ride. I stopped to check my bike computer, usually set for mph. I was surprised to see the highest max speed of any of my bikes to date. Particularly since I hadn't been feeling on top form today.
I didn’t meet anyone else on the way. I was soon where Grange Lane opens out into a farm access cum bridleway and it was an easy, if uphill and bumpy, ride to where it becomes a tarmac road again.
Past the access to the rail trail, down a dip and up the other side, through the sports complex car park, through the barrier, up a steep lane and out on to an estate road. Left on Delamere St, then with the following wind some easy rolling to the A54 roundabout.
Quickly across, then rolling down Swanlow Lane to wait at Townfields Road lights before accelerating down a dip to get momentum for my uphill turn off. Then a cooling meander to my back gate via the lanes.
Today, one of those rides that didn’t start out with great promise but turned out very enjoyable nevertheless.
Distance 17.81 miles. Max speed 37.5 mph. Average 8.2 mph. According to Cateye Velo 7.
Ascent 485 ft. According to Bikehike.
Recumbent Ride
Rans Pootle and unexpected speed on the Test Hill of Doom.
Cloudy, breezy, not so hot today. I was feeling a bit down at having got to the last day in May without getting anywhere near my targets for this year’s cycling yet. So, I already had enough supplies on the bike to keep me going if I decided to go further today but my main intention was to go for a pootle and take it from there.
Left or right out of the gate? Left gave me more options without having to go into town. Off I went, downhill into a noticeable headwind. A helping hand on the way back, I hoped.
I turned into Hall Lane and shortly afterwards a group of bepanniered touring cyclists came the other way. They tinkled their bells merrily at me, I tinkled back.
As I approached Darnhall bridge, I hoped for a car to overtake to trigger the lights. Not today, but I was far enough up the hill when they changed to green to give time for a bit of a run up. It seemed easy, until I ran into the headwind that the dip had been sheltering me from. It was a pleasant breeze, not too hot or cold, so I counted my blessings and carried on.
I came to the turning for Hickhurst Lane and plodded on into the wind in the direction of Eaton. It seemed a bit of an uphill grind today. The sky got greyer and I wondered if the rain would hold off. I mentally tossed a coin and made a spur of the moment decision to turn right into Dogmore Lane.
The going got easier as the slope eased and the wind was behind me. Through Rushton Spencer, along the old wall of Oulton Park,
which has had some patching recently. Brownhills Road loomed on the left. I turned into it and soon heard loud voices. A bunch of cyclists came the other way.
I came to the high hedgebanked junction with Beech Lane and turned carefully right. A steep downhill followed, allowing me to pedal furiously to get up the other side. There were some gnarly potholes at the bottom, though the lack of traffic allowed me to swerve about and miss most of them. Easing over the summit and gaining speed again through the woods past the modern entrance to Oulton Park motor racing circuit,
then left opposite the old gateway, into Coach Road before a right turn into the crowded woodland car park of Little Budworth Country Park.
A brief expedition to inspect the plumbing then out on to Coach road again to the right.
It was quite busy here with traffic on the road and horse riders in the woods.
I came to a crossroads. Coach Road straight on, Beech Road as a muddy and puddled bridleway to the left, Beech Road as a metalled road to the right. Beech Road to the right it was, and I got going again.
More dog walkers, a bit of up and down then just before I turned left into White Hall Lane, “Santa’s Xmas Tree Land”! Whaat? Just to remind me of my gloomy thoughts about time passing quickly at the beginning of this ride. Presumably, the signs are up all year. I carried on up White Hall Lane.
I came to where it crosses the A54 with its hurtling traffic then continues as Pit Lane on the other side. Safely across, I followed it to where it meets Longstone Lane. Left then straight on for an unexpectedly long way until just past the junction with Shays Lane on the right there was the Long Stone on the left. I stopped for a photo.
The remains of a headless cross, one of several on the former pilgrims’ route to Vale Royal Abbey.
Then, on to Shays Lane for a mostly downhill route to where it joins Clay Lane, then mostly uphill again.
I stopped to look at what I originally thought was a pheasant but which turned out to be several guinea fowl which were pottering around in the road before crossing it and disappearing through a hedge. Pretty birds but incredibly noisy.
Just after I got going a bunch of cyclists passed me going uphill, and a few minutes later another bunch passed me in the other direction.
As I came to the summit I debated whether to go back via the Whitegate Way and check on the status of the Whitegate Road Bridge, or go on via Cinder Hill and Whitegate village.
I went straight on over the bridge and down the other side but before I’d gone very far I realised I had a headwind which meant that any attempt at getting a new highest speed down Cinder Hill (aka the Test Hill of Doom) wouldn’t have a promising start. I turned round and went back over the bridge into the old station car park. There were many bikes at the car park, most with mudguards as I passed through en route to the loo. Might as well make the most of the conveniences since I was there. I went to the car park exit and saw that there was a footbridge closed sign. Bridgeworks extended until June, it said.
Ah well then, Cinder Hill it would have to be so I set off with no more ado. I followed the rail trail to the platform, stopped to remove a leafy twig from my back wheel and emerged a bit theatrically from behind a parked car to see a row of cyclists getting ready for the off. “I like that bike!” said one of them, giving a thumbs up and clicking his tongue. “Thank you,” I replied as I rolled by.
Up the exit ramp, over the bridge and riding a bit more purposefully towards the junction with Dalefords Lane. Straight across. I had my clip on chinstrap attached to my cap today so no fear of it blowing off. I kept rolling to where the downhill begins.
I could see a car coming up in the distance behind but just kept going. I’d got a good speed up at the narrowest part of the hill but still he kept on coming, a big black SUV, and then he squeezed past.
As expected, a bit further on he braked for oncoming traffic but he was far enough ahead for me not to have to brake too. I was still pedalling at this point. Although not a school day I eased off where there were 20mph signs a bit further on and turned right into Vale Royal Drive then Sutton Field before turning right into the downhill Mill Lane and left into Grange Lane.
After passing some cottages, instead of plunging into woodland immediately, I came across this
another scene of improvements. I wondered if this access would be barriered off too. Fortunately, it was clear and though the rather narrow path through the wood was becoming overgrown, at present it was passable and was an easy, pleasant ride. I stopped to check my bike computer, usually set for mph. I was surprised to see the highest max speed of any of my bikes to date. Particularly since I hadn't been feeling on top form today.
I didn’t meet anyone else on the way. I was soon where Grange Lane opens out into a farm access cum bridleway and it was an easy, if uphill and bumpy, ride to where it becomes a tarmac road again.
Past the access to the rail trail, down a dip and up the other side, through the sports complex car park, through the barrier, up a steep lane and out on to an estate road. Left on Delamere St, then with the following wind some easy rolling to the A54 roundabout.
Quickly across, then rolling down Swanlow Lane to wait at Townfields Road lights before accelerating down a dip to get momentum for my uphill turn off. Then a cooling meander to my back gate via the lanes.
Today, one of those rides that didn’t start out with great promise but turned out very enjoyable nevertheless.
Distance 17.81 miles. Max speed 37.5 mph. Average 8.2 mph. According to Cateye Velo 7.
Ascent 485 ft. According to Bikehike.
