Market Drayton

Sunday 13th December, 7am, dark:has it been 3 deg C overnight or was it a hard frost? One glimpse through the curtains and the bed looks a better option than the ride - frost everywhere. But I'm committed, so wrap up, put the lights on and hope nobody turns up. Gary, a virgin Smiler, is already at the start and with barely time to give him the welcoming funny handshake Phil is upon us. We are away at 8:10, delayed because Phil is still learning to tie his shoelaces, and we head straight for the lanes. Plenty of frost and icy puddles at the verges but no ice on the road, but we take it easy to make sure. As there is no wind we take 16 miles each on the front to get the first 50 miles over with. We watch the sunrise over the Peckfortons but there isn't much warmth in it: the temperatures for the day will be between zero and 5 deg C - making the going a little harder due to higher air density. We average 15mph for the first 50 miles and hit sustained ice on the road in the outskirts of Audlem. It improves a little as we turn for Market Drayton but the lane is filthy. Then after the Market it clears as we have a look at Norton-in-Hales before dropping into Audlem for lunch. Now, is it to be The Priest's House or the Coffee Lounge - Fiiigghhht! But no, Harry Hill is not deciding this one; the former is a sweat box and it takes all day to get served, we'll give the Coffee Lounge a bash. Gary is still with us: he should have stopped at Norton but he can't tear himself away - and it's his longest ride for eons. He's on the phone, and then he's with us " I'm leaving you now, Guys.. I've got to get to Loggerheads (no not that one) for 2pm. Thanks for the ride." We've done 65 miles, he's done 70 miles and he'll have 80 in before the day's out. He's been a great addition to the chain and we're sorry to see him go. Now for the scran. A full breakfast for Phil of the hollow legs and a baked potato for me-laddo. Good food, very relaxing and a good choice of cafe.
We're off for the final 35 miles at 2pm to find there's a light headwind. Aston, Wrenbury and Cholmondley take the sap out of our legs before Harthill takes the dregs and we have to call in to Tattenhall to replenish Phil's supplies as he's heavy on water. The stop refreshes us and we fly through Chowley and Churton to hit Chester in Boughton to find the cycleway as the 100 miles comes up: and we didn't need lights. Average computer speed 14.7 mph.

Route is via the link below:
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Smilers to Market Drayton