Our ‘Extra Easy’ Thursday morning rides have continued throughout June and July, and will keep going until early September.

We have been visiting cafes which are better suited to smaller groups. We usually have between 3 and 6 riders, although last Thursday we had 9, due to some happy conjunction of holiday arrangements.

We visited Bidlea Dairy, and had a rather eventful ride out. We successfully navigated some tracks around Lindow to take us out to Mobberley, but then encountered roadworks, and a closed road by the David Lewis centre. There was a lot of fresh tarmac being put down, but Phil Br led the way, and we were allowed through (unlike the SUV stuck at the other side). The next part of the route took us past Bate Mill, Jodrell Bank, then the road into Goostrey, which was also closed due to roadworks. We dispatched Sue to lead the way this time, they let her through, but were a little surprised when 8 of us followed her!

Bidlea Dairy was fairly quiet, Cheshire’s shortest shower arrived whilst we were there, and we looked at route options to avoid the closed roads. Phil suggested the track at Boots Green, everyone agreed, without quite knowing what was there.

We soon found out, some extraordinarily deep gravel, and then a narrow track through woodland, with lots of bike handling ‘challenges’. These included low hanging branches, roots, mud, rocks, nettles and brambles. We all navigated them successfully, although Susie came out a little bloodied due to brambles.

Other destinations in the last couple of months have included the Rainow rural life exhibition, Sandy Lane tearoom at Whirley, Wizard tearoom at Alderley, Plumley Garden Centre, the Beeches at Ollerton and Tatton Park.

Well done to Ruth, one of our newer riders who has been coming out on some of these rides. Many thanks to Jim for being the ‘back sweeper’, and standing in as ride leader when I was away, and thanks to Michelle for some of the photos..

Katherine