Cycle rides to Middlewich are becoming a bit of a jinx for Sarah. She had been due to lead today, but following a serious fall on yesterday’s Women on Wheels ride this was not possible. And she has form having to miss the same ride a couple of years ago (A tale of a broken foot and a ride to Middlewich). Thankfully, Andy S stepped in to lead instead, and I was the back-leader. It was going to be a challenge for me too, for it would be my first fifty-plus mile ride following my hip injury as my recovery continues.

So it was that seventeen of us met at Bramhall Library on a fine March morning for this Stockport Community Cycling Club longer ride.

Soon we were setting off on our way towards Woodford.

Then we turned towards Prestbury and Mottram St Andrew.

This led to the main climb of the day up Blackhurst Brow and Wilmslow Road.

We then cycled on towards Henbury.

And then on to Gawsworth where we picked up NCN Route 55.

It was great to finally see the spring flowers beginning to bloom.

The route included a section of a local cycle route at Brereton which first took us along an off-road byway before taking us along a lovely little lane to the village.

Unfortunately Rod picked up a puncture. This obviously put us a little behind schedule. So I range the pub where we were due for lunch to inform them of this, only to discover they had wrongly booked us in for the following week! This obviously created a dilemma. We asked at the pub we were outside of at the time – but they couldn’t cope with our numbers.

So, we continued on towards Middlewich. Just before it started to rain. Since I had to wait for each rider as they put on their jacket I found myself doing a lot of sprinting for a few miles to catch everyone else up.

Finally, we found The White Bear, who had the capability to cater for us, even if we would have to wait awhile. Not a problem. Then while we were here Sarah rang up saying the pub we had originally been due to visit had rung to see if were still on our way!

In the meantime, unfortunately ‘wait awhile’ meant ‘wait a long while’. The food itself was fine but when we reached mid-afternoon and some were still awaiting pudding it was time for a rethink. Thankfully the group still awaiting part of their lunch were experienced cyclists and happy to let the rest of us get back on the road.

So it was we headed back home through Byley. It was now an increasingly murky afternoon.

Next we cycled through the Peovers.

Eventually we reached the edge of Wilmslow.

As we reached Wilmslow town centre, Rod was by now very tired. So, he and I decided to let the remaining group go on ahead, while we rode at our own (slightly slower) pace for the final few miles.

It was about 5.45pm when we arrived back at Bramhall Library. We were tired, had completed 50 miles, but had a great day.

You can view the Middlewich 2017 route below: