30th November 2022. I knew it’d be a chilly ride. Yesterday, the mercury never bothered to rise above 5°C, and it was foggy too, so I saw today’s forecast of 5 degrees and cloud as an improvement. Ever the optimist, I set off well-wrapped up to face the chill on a route generally South to Liverpool. Sadly, the forecast high temperature never materialised and my Garmin kept telling me that it was between zero and one degree all morning. I began to look forward to the few climbs so I could warm up.
My plan a few days ago was to stay two nights in Liverpool, a city I’ve long admired, and spend day 2 exploring the Wirral before heading back on day 3. The plan changed when I saw that a Youth Hostel near Chester was offering a special deal in the weeks up to Christmas (always looking for a bargain, me). So the plan changed to be a 2-day trip across the ferry on the way out and to return over the Silver Jubilee bridge from Runcorn. My friend, Jim heard about the plan and offered to accompany me for part of the journey and I was grateful. Once he saw my planned route out, he advised that, if I was insistent on taking that particular course, I should pack my lion-proof clothing since it passed through Knowsley Safari park!
So much for my cycle-planning app offering cycle-friendly routes. Until yesterday, Jim was basking in the tropical Cape Verde, so having been used to 28 degrees for a week, the temperature today was similar: just in Fahrenheit, not Celsius. Jim met me about 20 miles into the ride and he guided me safely round Knowsley and towards Liverpool before the cold got to him and he turned back five miles from the river. (I think it was the cold).
There were doubts about my river crossing. The website showed a shuttle service during the morning and afternoon commuter times, but any other time suggested that the only option was a river cruise (!!) at a much greater cost. However, it seems that I could take half a cruise (at half the price) and jump ship at Seacombe, so that’s what I did after a coffee and sandwich in the Fab 4 café. Here, Beatles music played constantly which was far better than the ubiquitous Christmas stuff.
Once south of the river, I cycled through Tranmere, Rockferry, Port Sunlight and Bromborough, places that until now were just names on a map. Rockferry was disappointing. I didn’t see any foxes, Les, and I suspect that you were using poetic licence when you described it as a ‘quaint fishing village’. [This was a reference to the Rockferry Fox, a song by Les Glover]
I changed the route slightly towards the end since it was still daylight and I suspected I’d travelled the planned route previously. I arrived at the splendid Trafford Hall, my gaff for the night, and was mightily impressed until I was shown round the back to where my room was located. The beautiful Georgian building also had chalets at the rear which were reminiscent of 1950s Butlins. Never mind. What can you expect for £11 per night?
Since it’s cold and dark outside, I’ve hunkered down for the night and I’m now looking forward to my pizza and a pint followed, perhaps, by a chocolate brownie. I know how to live.
1st December 2022
I had a change of mind this morning. Instead of the glamour of Runcorn, I thought instead I’d sample the delights of Warrington and cross the river a few miles upstream. Whatever delights Warrington held, they kept them well hidden since I saw none. I did see a ship pass the swing bridge, however, and I delighted in cycling to the front of the very long (and growing) queue of cars. Along with a huge bough being knocked off a tree by a passing lorry, that was perhaps the most exciting thing I saw this morning. After crossing the river and Ship Canal, I followed a cycle route through the Sankey Valley park. I only saw one season whilst there, but then what can you expect from a tribute band? The route was very pleasant and delightfully traffic free. After weaving through Newton, Haydock and Ashton, I was actually happy to join the Leeds-Liverpool canal at Wigan and battle with those over-engineered gates that stop not only motorbikes and horses, but also prams, trikes, tandems, recumbents and wheelchairs. I can see why few other authorities have used them.
The weather today was a whole three degrees warmer which doesn’t sound much, but I really noticed it. The light wind might also have helped, giving me a gentle push homeward. Although I could have done with a brew, I decided to crack on and get home in one shot and was back by 1.30. I just need to clean the bike now. Anyone interested in helping out with that?
The last two days have been quite flat rides, which is fine, but I’ve just done some sums and realised that if I had climbed just 29 metres more, my total height climbed for the year would have been 100km. I’m not going out again to claim those last few metres, but it’s annoying. If I’d realised, I’d certainly have gone a slightly hillier route home.
