I’d been meaning to get out on a ride with Mick for ages and he messaged saying he was off this Wednesday and did I fancy a ride out. Silly question … of course I did! I’ve done my Jodrell Bank route with him a few months ago and suggested we ride it again. It’s 82 miles there and back from Newport and involves a decent amount of climbing, plus lovely scenery along the way.
Decision made, we met up outside Nova Cycles in Newport at 9am for the ride. The weather looked good with a bit of low cloud but it should burn off to reveal the sun at some point. Rain was forecast from 5pm but we should be back before then.
We set off out of Newport and up through Cheswardine, onwards to Woore, Wybunbury, Sandbach, Holmes Chapel and arrived at Jodrell Bank about the earliest I’ve ever done: 11:30am. They had just finished serving breakfast but thankfully the nice lunch menu had just started.
After a cyclists dream lunch (well, I loved it anyway!), including pasta salad, pizza, leaf salad, followed by a piece of cake and a coffee we decided it was time for the return journey.
For the first part of the return journey we were headed towards Congleton and it felt like we going straight into the wind. To be fair, it felt like this on quite a few other parts of the return journey too! Does the wind really follow you round as you cycle? It certainly feels like it sometimes!
The journey out to Jodrell is pretty flat but the return journey is hilly and about halfway back we stopped at the lovely Swan With Two Necks on the A53 for a quick pint and to top up with water. Had a lovely pint brewed in Yorkshire but using American hops. Very refreshing it was too!
Suitably fortified we headed off out for the remainder of the hills and then the fast section down Shay Lane towards Newport. Needless to say, we had a blast zooming down Shay Lane trying to make up a bit of time that had been lost on the hilly section of the ride.
The last part of the ride is where the promised rain started and it did not stop so we got a bit wet. Not a problem though as I’m well used to it by now with the weather around here.
Back in Newport, we retired to the New Inn for a quick post-ride refreshment before saying goodbye and riding home our respective ways. Just over 90 miles on the clock by the time I arrived home.
A really good ride out and great to catch up with each other.
Route: click here
You must log in to post a comment.