As Chris mentioned in his blog earlier, the club is now
getting to a size that allows a both a Saturday and Sunday ride option if
demand dictates. There were a few of us
that couldn't do the Sunday spin for one reason and another, so we all tagged
on to Phil’s plans for a loop with his pal Steve up to Llandegla Mountain Bike
Centre (thanks Phil!). Since we are a
big enough group to warrant two group rides in a weekend, I figured that a
separate blog to document the alternative ride might be in order.
Since Phil likes his lie-ins we decided to meet up at the
Glegg Arms are 9.00 am and as I set off, the weather looked promising with a
nice sunny, but chilly, start. After my
20 minute warm up getting from home to the Glegg, I met Tim who was already
waiting and soon after Mal and then Phil and Steve and Paul (Ilkin). Nipper was
a bit later as he had just finished a 10 hour night shift (good effort
for coming straight out on a ride – but we all know that Firemen spend their
night shifts asleep most of the time anyway :0). As we waited it was good to chat to Dan
Williams, a member of the former Vita Race team, who was off up to Wales
himself with a couple of the other former Vita riders.
Once Nipper got his stuff sorted we were off down the
Chester high road, past the Eureka and across the Cycle way into Deeside, over
the Dee Bridge and up to Hawarden. On
the way, down to the A550 crossing we were joined by a lone rider, Vince who
was out for a spin and asked if he could tag along.
On the way up to Hawarden, Tim had a bit of a ‘chain off’
moment that allowed us all to catch our breath after the first of the day’s
inclines.
So, on again, through the lanes to ‘Sun Spot’ and up the
long drag of the climb to Llandegla Moors.
Tim and Paul lead the group up the climb and me and Mal just wound out a
low gear. When we reconvened toward the
top, Tim mentioned that they had been informed by another rider they had come
across, that the Llandegla road was shut for road works and that we should
think of another route. However, not
being easily deterred, we thought that surely the road wouldn't be completely
impassable and that we would surely squeeze through the cones. However, we were to discover that the road is
actually completely blocked and shouldn't be accessed at all – don’t try – we shouldn't have and we are very sorry - it won’t happen again! Under no circumstances does the club endorse
this type of irresponsible behaviour!
So, after guilty completion of the obstacle course round the
various fences, we made our way up to the Llandegla Café where we all re-charged
our batteries with beverages, cake and other sustenance. We couldn't believe how warm it was and we
all sat outside soaking up the rare autumn rays and enjoying a good laugh at
Nipper’s lewd firemen’s humour!
24 degrees Celsius!
After a good break it was on again and right out of the café
and through some delightful winding downhill lanes, (courtesy, I am told, of Mr
Dave ’Dodgy’ Dee’s explorations) which delivered us out onto the Steps where we
descended apace via the Lanes to Kinnerton and then back to Queensferry via the
Dee path. The wind was against us on the
way home and we started to run out of time for the desired second stop at ‘The
Mills’ and decided to push on home to resume the usual domestic routine.
So, another good ride done on what was a beautiful day. It is great to be able to make the most of a
good day like that and push into Wales for some more challenging terrain and
enjoy the company of like minded individuals.
Great ride chaps – see you out in the week or on the next big ride. Cheers.
Garmin data
