I’ve got the London Revolution Ultra coming up on 12th May. This is a 187 mile, 10000ft of climbing ride right around the capital, in the counties that surround it. It’s one of my big target rides of the year and quite an ask, so I have to consciously up my training as the bad weather in the last few months has not really helped!
I decided a ride out to my hometown of Altrincham fitted the bill perfectly. It’s a nice route that I have ridden several times before and it clocks in about 108 miles, so perfect endurance training.
I set off on the quick back road route from home to Market Drayton and then up the main road to Audlem as it’s the most direct route and on a long ride like this, I don’t need to get sidetracked with too many diversions.
As I was entering Coole Lane, which leads from Audlem to Nantwich, there was a road closed sign right on my route. Drat! Thankfully a policeman was just coming down the road so I asked if it was ok to proceed at my own risk. There had been an accident but it was almost cleared up, so he was happy for me to proceed.
Rain also started at this point and by the time I arrived in Nantwich and had cleared the rain, I was soaking. Luckily the rain was replaced by sun and I started to dry out nicely. Phew!
The rest of the ride to Altrincham was much less eventful. I stopped at the Hopley House farm cafe just before Middlewich for a quick coffee for elevenses.
A quick blast through Tatton Park and I was zooming through Ashley and into Hale, then Altrincham.
You’re spoilt for choice for excellent cafe’s in Altrincham but I opted for a firm favourite – the excellent market. A nice smashed avocado and poached egg on toast with chilli oil. Not cheap, but absolutely delicious!
As I was leaving Altrincham I got another soaking, but as soon as I reached the countryside, the rain stopped and the sun came out again. April showers at their best!
An uneventful ride down the lanes to Jodrell Bank followed, with me thoroughly enjoying the peace and quiet and time to put the world to rights in my mind. Exactly what I go out cycling for!
That reminds me, I’ve not ridden out to the lovely cafe at Jodrell Bank for ages – must do that again soon.
From there it was an easy ride past Holmes Chapel, Sandbach and past Crewe.
I was going to stop for a water top up and a quick pint in Woore, but I was motoring along, enjoying the ride so delayed the stop until I got to the Joule’s brewery tap in Market Drayton.
After my pint it was an easy ride home, with me extending things a bit via Stoke On Tern, to try and use some different roads than I’d rode out on earlier.
I arrived home with just over 110 miles on the clock and having thoroughly enjoyed my ride. That’s my second century ride of 2018 in the bag, and my first solo one.
Route: click here
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