After a hard brisk ride on Tuesday around Much Wenlock (65 miles and 5000ft climb), I was looking for an easy ramble over the Halkyns today. There were seven of us at Hawarden (Mike McC, Dave H, George, Ken, Steve T, Ray and myself); and the suggestion came for a ride to Bunbury! I was up for this as it would be “flat”. Dave H leads us off down the Chester Road hill passing a just-landed Beluga at British Aerospace, and out via Dodleston to Pulford. A quick enquiry as to the rest of the route elicits a “I dunno” response, so Ken and I rustle up a route via Holt. Out up Marford Hill, we slide off left passing the Anti-Frackers Camp and into Holt. We are soon cycling well up Wetreins Lane to Tilston. Ignoring the obvious turn to Duckington, we push on taking the delightful Grange Lane to emerge, crossing the A41, into Duckington. Tilley’s is the preferred lunch stop as we circle Larkton Hill on the ever-climbing Goldford Lane to Bickerton. Passing the “Poacher” pub we swing left for Peckforton and the final lane to Spurstow. We’ve kept together pretty well on the 28 mile outward journey and are now ready for hot provisions.
There are bikes outside at Tilley's and we find Dave M and Andy inside just finishing their lunch. We all tuck in as the food comes very promptly. Ken and I plan the return route that leads us out through Tattenhall and Coddington back via Holt passing again the Anti-Frackers on Borras Road. Mike peels off for Chester as we motor on through Gresford village and down and up the steep-side Alyn Valley to Llay. Having had enough of main roads, we take Dark Lane on our way to Shordley. It’s now a straight-line run to Bilberry Wood along Mountain Road and back into Hawarden. The weather was bright but cold, as we finish the 56 miles of “on the fly” navigation. Ken heads for Rossett as Ray and I head back to Chester with 70+ miles under the tyres.
See route map and/or gpx file download.
CA
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