Words & Pics by Pete
Crew : Butty, TJ , Smiffy, Troll, Lee , Pete
Route: Bridge Green – Chelford Rd – Findlow Hill – Bradford Lane – Hocker Lane – Radnor Mere/Ex-Ax Site – Slade Lane – Findlow Hill – Windmill Wood – Artists Lane – The Wizard – Alderley Rd – Mottram St Andrew – Hare Hill – Prestbury
Weather : Excellent – with just a slight dampness to the trails which made for 5 star conditions
Notes :
It was an excellent suggestion by Butty to finish a ride at Base Pizzeria in Prestbury , and the natural ride choice was messing about up on Alderley Edge .
The new muster point of choice for an AE ride has become Bridge Green. As everybody assembled bang on 6pm I suddenly realised we had reached the Tipping Point . The number of E-bike riders equals the number of Acoustic riders .
Our circuit broadly comprised three descents :
- Bradford Lane : The classic gnarly lane descent to meet Hocker Lane and hairpin left. A dip into the woods which border Alderley Business Park and Radnor mere was mandatory . Even without our customary guide in this territory , Alex, we managed to not lose our way ! And a gentle winch up to Slade Lane and a return to Findlow Hill ..
- Windmill Wood : Not as muddy as we though it would be, it flowed beautifully and with only six in our crew we managed not to lose anybody ..and we found our way down to the Owl Carving own Artists’s Lane without incident. The E-boys , and Lee, had fun climbing the off road bits to the right hand side of Artist’s as we climbed back up to (what used to be) The Wizard.
- The Biggy to the North Side: We always seem to struggle to find the right path for this descent . Not tonight, Butty was our guide , and led us down the steep , tree covered and root strewn bits that get us down to Mottram Rd . The odd bit of “get off and push” but definitely a lot of fun.
Normally we might have climbed back up via Swiss Hill – but not tonight. We took the much longer way back via Mottram St Andrew and Oak Lane to Hare Hill . Its a lot less steep , and relatively quiet .
Base Pizzeria was a good choice indeed. We got a little table outside with just enough room for the six off us. Posh Poretti Lager and Brooklyn IPA went down well , even if it was only served in 2/3rd pints . We are on the edge of the Champagne Triangle after all . Pizzas were tasty , if a little whacky : Mine was Peking duck !!. Not cheap, but the service and atmosphere were very good.
Next – another TNR first ! – we decamp to The Admiral Rodney (aka “The Rodders”) . Here we rub shoulders with the moneyed and the famous . I got a nod from an ex-Coronation St actor on the way in. We enjoy the old traditional pub vibe awhile , and then I discover the Neck Oil is £7.20 a pint here ! But the Dizzy Blonde is a more sensible price.
All in all an excellent, and novel, Thursday evening