Midweek ride out to Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope in CheshireBearded Bloke On A Bike

I had hoped to do this ride last Wednesday but with the 43 mph forecast winds I wisely called it off!

This week, the weather looked much better with light winds of 2-3mph and overcast skies. A bit of very light drizzle too, but that was ok.

I advertised the ride on the Raiders Facebook group and wondered if anyone would turn up as a lot of people would be in work etc etc. Anyway, I arrived at Nova Cycles and sure enough it would be me on my own on the ride. Not a problem as I like my own company and I’d get several hours of ‘me’ time :).

I set off, heading up towards Cheswardine and then Woore, Crewe, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and Goostrey, before arriving at Jodrell Bank. An uneventful ride up, apart from a route malfunction in Haslington, to the east of Crewe, where the Garmin was trying to take me down a non-existent road. Easily sorted though and I was back on route in no time.

The cafe at Jodrell Bank was busy with other cyclists and other people but I bagged myself a table anyway. The coffee was lovely but the cake a little dry and not up to the Dearnford Gold standard. I then stocked up with a Mars bar for the ride home and topped up my water bottle.

All too soon, I had to set off back to Newport, with the aim of arriving back before dark. The route back took me down past the Clonter Opera towards Congleton, before weaving past Mow Cop to Alsager, Audley, Madeley, Ashley and finally down Shay Lane back into Newport.

The part of the route between approximately 60-70 miles in was particularly hilly as I traversed the Maer Hills to the west of Stoke. On the plus side, I got to go past lots of lovely hidden away houses all overlooking the valleys.