Words & pics by Pete
Crew : TJ, Butty, Troll, Croxy, Smiffy Steve , Chris , Pete, Bernard
Route (highlights only) : Bridge Green Prestbury – Bradford Lane – Hocker Lane – Back of Chelford – Little Warford – Great Warford – Fulshaw Park – Styal Mill – “ The Ship Inn” – A555 Cycle path – Poynton Pool & Incline – TJ’s (Jacksonville)
@Jacksonville : Adrian & Biscuit
Weather : Dry and pleasant , we did find a tiny bit of mud. Glad of an extra layer later on as we sat around the fire pit.
Notes :
This week it was a “made in Poynton” production . Butty devised the route and TJ (and Enid ) hosted us afterwards at Jacksonville , Higher Poynton .
The route itself was based upon a section of a designated (and signposted) route known as Laureen’s Ride . I think its a horse/bike/walkers thing. We had a familiar route towards Alderley Edge (and beyond) to meet up with the LR bit at the back of Chelford . This brought back memories of my cycle commutes to and from Barclays . Quiet lanes and off road bits where I could . After Styal we left the LR section and Butty had devised an excellent route using lots of A555 cycle path , a path along Poynton Pool (dodging dog walkers and fishermen) and the excellent off road Poynton Incline (one of several) which climbs gradually to higher the upper reaches of Poynton.
A nice mixture of machinery on show by the crew . Smiffy on his bling titanium cross bike with carbon forks. Croxy arrived on his E-gravel beast which you would struggle to identify as being e-equipped ! A very subtle design. I chose my trusty 26inch Cotic Soul hardtail – which is fairly nippy on the flat if the tyres are fully pumped up.
All managed the Bradford Lane descent without incident …even those with no suspension
Those on full sussers felt the benefit on the Hocker Lane cobbles.
At the back of Chelford we entered the champagne triangle land ….lots of gated mansions and f-off big motors .
Some really nice tracks across fields and through little wooded bits
A brief “heritage appreciation” stop at Styal Mill
A welcome visit to The Ship Inn ….we were definitely ready for a beer . We managed to lose Bernard and Smiffy as we approached The Ship …but they were soon relocated by Butty .
The route back from Styal seemed to be quite swift on the A555 cycleway – I do remember we encountered some apprentice drug dealers on E-bikes too big for them and sporting black balaclavas even though it was still fairly warm. And as we went through an underpass bit there was a strong whiff of skunk.
The path a long Poynton Pool seemed to go on for ever , but it was much more pleasant than the main road . The Poynton incline feels like you are sneaking along the end of loads of peoples back gardens.
Its about 9:30pm when we get to TJs
Lots of barking from the Jacksonville Hounds to greet us . TJ’s Campervan held a treasure trove of chilled beers – and was also to be The Troll’s accommodation for the evening .
TJ & Enid (with Butty as the sous chef) treated us to a constant flow of Waitrose Pizza (pimped with extras I believe ) . Troll took charge of the MK2 fire pit . The Mk1 version had expired in another TNR refreshment session last year !
It was quite luxurious to be delivered a succession of tasty chunks of Pizza .
The wise ones departed early , and then a smaller cadre were treated to some Aldi Malt.
It was well after the witching hour when I got home .