There was rain early in the day to wet the roads, so some of us came along ready with mudguards and overshoes just in case. Some did not.
Skies had finished emptying the rain though, and we set off at a steady pace off towards Delamere. After the customary break at Hatchmere, we set off through the forest and out via Ashton Heyes and Mickle Trafford. A brief stop to sort out a mechanical and we were onto the Greenway, where the sun came out. Off at Blacon and over to the Salney Ferry bridge, we then headed back to Chester and over the bridge back towards Dodleston. Just as we arrived at the cafe, a shower tried to dampen our spirits. Undampened, we walked in to be told that beans on toast was not an option, as they were about to start the carvery! Nooooo!!!
Fortunately, a brief negotiation followed, and we were very well accommodated by the staff at the cafe, who tended to our needs! Close call…
The only downside to the cafe stop was the selection of cakes, or lack of selection, and Al’s little sad face displayed the disappointment. I haven’t taken a photograph of his sadness, as it would be too upsetting for the readers to see. At least it was open unlike our visit a few months earlier.
Nonetheless he rain had stopped and we set-off in 2 directions. Derek led a longer loop group off to Holt, and the reminder of us followed Al back through Chester before an excellent little detour through the lanes of Barrow, and back to Ashton Heyes and Delamere. A sprint did happen (inevitably Woody led this out) and Al contested, but without the extra energy of quality cake for his afters, Woody ran away with it.
Thus ended another excellent day on the bike. The weather was mainly kind bar the brief shower, and we kept a great steady, but healthy pace that kept the group together (top job Al, thanks) and gave all a good, yet sociable Sunday workout! I worked out that we covered (from club to club) around 56 miles for the day.