Ellesmere 108

Sunday 14th February: OK so it's Valentine's Day, but there's a good ride on. 8am and zero deg C, misty but no wind and I meet up with Phil at the C.O. I'm greeted with 'I'm in 'expletive deleted' trouble today, you're on your summer bike.' True enough, I'm on my carbon to stave off knackeredness. Off we go through the lanes and we're soon into fog but we find the poor visibility is due to our breath freezing on our goggles. And so it continues through Kelsall, Huxley and Tiverton but as we circle Beeston Castle the sun is on us and the icing abates. We circle Bunbury to take Peckforton Lane and Mill Lane and take our first stop at Jax cafe, after 35 miles, which has only been opened for a fortnight - lovely food.
We're now in the sunshine of a spring day as we head for Wrenbury, Morton Say, Calverhall and finally Prees Heath at 67 miles. We have picked the pace up from 14.8mph and we now stand at 15.3 as we tuck into an unhealthy plateful. Phil must be feeling the pace as he reflects on 'That b***** TREK.' But he's in fine fettle and we're both enjoying it.
We set off at a pace which aids digestion, heading for Ellesmere. The lanes are dry, the pace builds and the clouds gather. By Ellesmere it is spitting for rain but it never gets any worse - only 28 miles to go. We take the lanes again, heading for Penley. It's hilly terrain, a little mucky in places - offset by the lack of traffic and the fine scenery. Exiting the lanes at Worthenbury it's a straight dash for home. we arrive in good shape ( the best paced ride of the year) with 108 miles up at 15.4mph average.

View route on link:
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Ellesmere 108