1 o’clock Saturday club run to Middlewich Little Lock Café
The morning started off showery then a check of the weather forecast prompted a last minute post for riders on the club’s FB page to turn up for an afternoon’s ride in the sun. Then a call from route creator Fred to say he couldn’t make it meant a debrief of the route and the ‘tricky bits’.
Upon arriving at South Park there was a collection of riders chatting away which was reassuring to see, including some experienced ride navigators so if modern technology failed I knew we’d stay on track. As more arrived we were a group of thirteen ready to go.
The most important decision of the day - which cake to go for?
We headed out up Pennington’s Lane (not as muddy as we thought), Gawsworth Road, Dark Lane and onto descend Pexhill to Siddington. As we settled into a compact group riding with a headwind it was good to catch up with Chris C on the front with Ruth at the back making sure no one was left behind. Cruising through Lower Withington, Twemlow Green, Cranage and Byley traffic was light with no stopping required at junctions and the pace must have been okay as there was plenty of nattering going on. We navigated a U bend onto the canal, avoiding riding into someone’s garage and a short ride along the towpath took us to our lunch stop at Little Lock Café at Big Lock pub.
After light refreshments we re-joined the towpath following Simon G on his fit for all terrain bike who was surprised we had all followed him as the towpath turned to grass when there was a tarmac road running alongside. All seemed to navigate the obstacles with skill on their road bikes and we were reunited with the road after pushing bikes up some steps or shouldering cyclocross style.
A tailwind took us back over a regular route I remember from club runs of yesteryear meandering along quiet lanes to Brereton Green, Davenport dropping down to the River Dane for our second off road section. We missed the legendary Swettenham ford as the road was closed and looked too overgrown to pass and continued back towards Marton where Roger managed the last mountain without ebike assistance.
Smile!
We re-grouped at Gawsworth with a quick catch up with Mrs O’C then farewells were said to those heading back to Macclesfield and others continued to the Fools Nook swing bridge, up the final sting in the tail climb to pass Sutton reservoir finishing for refreshments and social at Gurnett.
Thanks for the company on the way out Susan E, Pete J, Kevin H, Simon G, Chris C, Ruth G, Greg R, Robert F, Roger W, Dave Harb, Dave Hale, Michelle S, and Mark W joining us at the café for the return journey.
The ride met the brief of new, newer, older club members, former regulars and no less than 5 life members who all enjoyed the day. Stats were 40 miles and 13mph average
We’ll be back again in 2 weeks, hope to see you then.
Jill
A blast from the past! There are some familiar faces on this photo from 1988!
