On a lovely sunny Monday morning, Paul and Jeanette met me at Seamons Moss Bridge for a ride to Moore and back. The rapeseed in the fields near Stockton Heath has recently turned a brilliant yellow. Spring colours abound, with bluebells now a common sight in the canal’s hedgerows.
We took the TPT to Lymm, then the towpath for a short distance, before minor roads past Appleton Reservoir, where the fishermen weren’t in evidence in their usual large numbers today.
We got back onto the towpath at Acton Grange Bridge, where Paul and Jeanette posed dutifully in their striking outfits, after we had taken some arguably unnecessary refreshments.
A little further on we left the towpath at Moore, outside the shop/Post Office that (note for Richard and Alastair) sells hot pies if you call them with an order.
Maybe I need to review my stylish cycling gear?!
Soon we had crossed the Ship Canal, passed the nature reserve, and re-joined the TPT. LD24 café at Stockton Heath provided more sustenance, rendering our earlier stop pointless.
Was it Paul who designed the onion on Jeanette’s coffee?
At this point, everything fell apart.
Well, Paul’s bike had a flat tyre when we emerged from the café. His is a newish bike with tubeless tyres, and this was his first puncture. How do you mend a tubeless tyre? Anyway, it was decided that Jeanette should rush home to bring the ‘blood wagon’ to collect Paul, so she shot off.
Meanwhile I pootled on along the TPT to join the old railway line at Thelwall. A lovely green avenue.
A call with Paul indicated that he was making progress with his recalcitrant tyre, with various strangers pausing to try to help him. I think he eventually managed to fix a temporary replacement tube and cycle slowly home.
Meanwhile, on the lovely sunny day, I decided to leave the TPT in Lymm and cycle home along the towpath, which is remarkably firm for the time of year. No mud! Here it is near Agden.
Dunham Woodhouses soon came and went, and I was home by lunch time,
Here’s today’s 50 km route. There are lots of alternative options. Allow 3-4 hours. As usual, click on the image for a better version.
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