A level ride on the Cheshire Plain

Six Gentlemen choose a level ride on the Cheshire Plain

Six Moultoneers, with a 1964 De Luxe, three TSRs and two New Series, assembled at Mobberley Railway Station for a ride through Cheshire in glorious Autumn sunshine. The ride briefing being slightly hampered by the deafening noise of aircraft taking off from Manchester Airport.

At first sight it appeared that the local residents, a little troubled by drink, had come out to welcome the Moulton Club, and one seemed so shocked to see six Moultons together that he fell from a tree, but it soon became obvious that a wonderful local Scare Crow event lined the first few miles of the ride.

The route southwards mostly followed quiet lanes, with the first few miles cooled by a southerly breeze. After passing a recently closed rural pub the route went through the extensive David Lewis Centre complex. The first stop was to investigate the state of the derelict listed building of Bate Mill, in a delightful sheltered hamlet. The old water wheel remained in place, but sadly not working.

After ascending a short incline, the next stop was for refreshment at the Cafe adjacent to the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope. Mobile Telephones were duly switched off as instructed by numerous signs on entering the site. A Bike Shed for visitors was a welcome feature and other cyclists seemed to make up the majority of the morning customers.

A few miles of minor roads, and a bridleway through the Peover Hall Estate, took the party to the wide avenues on the outskirts of Knutsford. The variety of domestic building styles and the size of some of the recently built properties prompted discussions on the differences in individual tastes. The high walls and gates and security guards patrolling in vans were noted. Further on there was an entertaining collection of century old Italianate homes designed by Richard Harding Watt, including one that had featured as a Shanghai residence in the 1987 film Empire of the Sun.

An excellent lunch was taken in a cafe in Knutsford housing a collection of around 60 Penny Farthings, where free tea was available for any Penny Farthing riders. Locally brewed beer was served.

Suitably refreshed the party set off through the grounds of Tatton Park with the following wind making for a pleasant easy ride. Notices warned the party to keep clear of rutting stags.

At Ashley the group divided, with those cycling home towards Manchester making their way separately from those returning to Mobberley. It was a pleasant 26 mile rural ride, with no punctures or incidents to report.