For me, this was a special day, for I have refuelled at the EUREKA CYCLISTS’ CAFÉ since way back in 1952. My mother and father, who were regular tandem cyclists’ go back to the first years of opening, they were born in 1915 and 1919. The location is important, for it is at the gateway to many cycle rides into CHESHIRE and NORTH WALES. For hundreds of cyclists’, it is a refreshment stop and meeting point, a café where all cyclists’ are made welcome.
In those early years most riders refuelling at "THE MILLS" took it for granted, but as the café scene changed across the country we realized EUREKA CYCLISTS’ CAFÉ is now unique, the only one of it’s kind in Britain. When I first refuelled at THE MILLS, I lived in Walton, Liverpool, which is only about a fifteen mile ride away across the River Mersey, and then in 1972, I moved to Penketh, Warrington, which gave me 25 miles to THE MILLS. In 1993 I moved to my present home in Bebington which is only 7.5 miles from THE MILLS.
Being the 75th anniversary tourist trial, I had a choice of cycling 75 miles or 75 kilometres, my preparation miles throughout the year had enabled me to cycle the 75 miles plus the 15 miles from, and too home, giving me a total of 90 miles. For me, the day started wet but there were breaks in the clouds, I could only hope for an improvement in the weather. The winds were strong, about 20 mph and blowing mainly from the south west direction. I arrived at THE MILLS at 8.45 pm, giving me plenty of time to sign –in, fill my bottles with SIS energy drink, collect the energy snack bar and be on my way for a 9 am start. It was when signing in I was told by Anne and Keith Peek, the EUREKA CAFÉ owners, that there are two Alan Parkesr riding today!
The cyclists’ riding the 75 miles started between 9 and 9.30 am, and the cyclists’ riding the much shorter 47 miles started between 9.30 and 10 am. All riders were asked to be back no later than 6.30 pm. The light rain had stopped but I thought it best to leave my shower/windproof jacket on until later, when hopefully, it would get warmer. The route first took me through the village of Capenhurst and a long section of traffic lights controlled road works which slowed me down. Then when I was close to the A5117 junction, I noticed the field gate being closed on the cows, following milking in the farm across the road, it was impossible not to ride through that messy brown stuff on the highway, the mudguards are a must. After passing two riders, I was caught by Peter Potts who usually rides with the Ledsham group; he was riding his recumbent bicycle. We rode together through Backford, Mickle Trafford and Oscroft, until he dropped me on the climb to Willington Corner.
Checking the time, I decided on a refreshment stop when I reached Tarporley. Peter had punctured, and was changing an inner tube as I crossed the bridge over the A49. I continued to nearby Tarporley, and found a bench to relax on and eat my food. My timing was spot on as I moved off fully refreshed, Peter was behind me, but on the long drop down to the Shropshire Union Canal bridge before Beeston Castle, he dropped me again and I never saw him again all that day. After passing beneath the Castle the route changed direction to the west, into a strong head wind. Checking my route sheet, I had cycled 24 miles from EUREKA CYCLISTS’ CAFE, and had another 12 miles to the LUNCH STOP in HOLT.
During the next few miles George Scott and his two friends eventually caught me and passed bye, they were also finding it hard going on this mainly flat, but open section into the wind. After passing through Tattenhall village I turned left and climbed a short hill which took me to the A41 which I crossed with caution to join the lanes which I have used many times during the last four weeks of training. The only difference being, I was riding in the opposite direction, but my concern was with the hawthorn hedge clippings. Ten days earlier on this lane, I was advised by the farmer to take a detour to avoid punctures, but when I was cycling along the same lane three days ago, the farmer was hedge cutting again. I was soon joined by Mr & Mrs Phil Guy on their tandem, but when we reached Churton they were about to turn right, and I then realized they were not riding the tourist trial.
As we were chatting at the junction, a large group of Birkenhead North End riders passed, and then as I moved off, a small group of Merseyside CTC riders who were cycling the shorter route passed bye. I was soon on their wheel, and as we entered Farndon village, we were passed by two tandems fitted with child seats. The children sounded very excited for we were close to the lunch stop across the RIVER DEE in HOLT. I was to see two more young children who were pedalling a tandem trailer, towed behind their parent’s tandem tricycle. I was to learn later that many riders had gone off course by Barrow, and had cut out a large section of the 75 miles route. That accounted for the many cyclists’ eating lunch in and around KENYON HALL in HOLT, because not that many riders had passed me, and I was one of the first to start from EUREKA CAFE at 9 am. After signing in at 11.51 am, the beans on toast and cake were eaten, the drinks bottles refilled with the sports drink, and I was on my way after a short chat with fellow riders. I find it better for my stomach if I eat a small amount often during the ride, how some of my cycling friends manage to cycle after eating a three course large meal? The catering team really impressed me, well done, and thank you.
The cyclists’ who had taken the shorter route had done 25 miles to the lunch stop, my mileage recorder was now showing 43.5 miles, but that was from home. That meant I had another 40 miles to cycle back to THE MILLS. Checking on the route sheet, I looked for another place to have a break during the afternoon, perhaps by NANT MILL, but what I didn’t know at that time, I was in for a nice surprise. Leaving Holt, I crossed the A534 and joined the lanes again to go around Wrexham Industrial Estate. It was while riding on this section that the Birkenhead North End group passed me again. With them choosing to race around on their lightweight bikes (I was riding my heavy touring bike complete with saddlebag, handlebar bag, and had with me, tool kit, spare tyre and inner tubes, camera, mobile phone, lights, food, and a map of the area), I didn’t attempt to join them, but what I did see later, when they reached the junction opposite Llwyn-Onn Treatment Works, they took a wrong turn, and had too retrace. One of their back markers said when passing me later "this is like the tortoise and the hare race". But for me, it wasn’t a race, I was enjoying riding another tourist trial, and if all went to plan, I would be back to the EUREKA CYCLISTS’ CAFÉ before 5 pm and home by 6 pm.
Dropping down to the River Clywedog, I passed KINGS MILL then climbed to follow the A525 towards Marchwiel. I noticed a car boot sale going on in a nearby field as I turned and headed for FARMWORLD and BERSHAM. After several quiet miles through leafy lanes, I arrived at BERSHAM IRON WORKS, and turned left to start the climb to NANT MILL. Being a sunny Sunday afternoon, there were lots of cars in this area looking for parking places; it is a popular area for walkers. Using my "granny gear", I managed the climb without any difficulty, and then continued beyond NANT MILL looking for a quiet place to stop and eat my remaining food. I know this area pretty well, Roy Dennis, a Liverpool CTC member bought a house in nearby Gwynfryn for £700 back in the days when Welsh cottages were low priced.
Checking the route sheet again, I noticed I was to cross the River Clywedog again, but this time by a FORD. This would be good, a quiet spot to eat my food, and take some photographs now the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining. As I stopped by the FORD, a woman called to me from a nearby house "would you like to rest your legs here, and join me for a cup of tea?", "yes" I replied "I will park my bike and bring my food". We were sitting on the patio drinking tea when many friends of mine cycled past!!! Fully refreshed, I said thank you and goodbye to the Good Samaritan, and walked up the steep hill from the river. I was then joined by Joan and Roy Bunnell for a short time, but soon dropped them on the next climb through MINERA.
The hard work was over as I dropped at speed down "the steps" to CEFN-Y-BEDD, then followed the signs through LLAY to join with the SHORTER ROUTE through GOLLY, passed Kinnerton to BRETTON and the crossing of the RIVER DEE by using SALTNEY FERRY FOOTBRIDGE. The final section through BLACON and SAUGHALL passed by quickly and when I approached Shotwick Lodge Farm, I was on the look-out for the DOG THAT LIKES CHASING CYCLISTS’, but it wasn’t around that afternoon. And finally, after crossing the A5117 through the gap in the central barrier, I joined the many happy cyclists’ at the EUREKA CAFE in TWO MILLS, WOODBANK at 4.30 pm and collected my special tee shirt and certificate before cycling home to BEBINGTON.
It was good having a choice of mileages, although if there had been secret controls on the longer route, there wouldn’t have been so many smiling faces at the finish. A few days after the tourist trial I contacted Anne and Keith Peek to find that; FOR THE 75 MILES RIDE THERE WERE 105 CYCLISTS’ FOR THE 75 KILOMETERS RIDE THERE WERE 56 CYCLISTS’ AND 4 CHILDREN AND I CAN SAY "WE ALL ENJOYED OURSELVES" DOING THE EUREKA CAFÉ 75TH ANNIVERSARY TOURIST TRIAL.
Copyright Alan Parker
2004. This content is intellectual property. No part may be reproduced
without permission by the author.