Mobberley 8, Covid-19 Edition 2021

Good Friday came round again and it was time for a solitary and socially distanced ride to, and around the closed pubs of Mobberley.

The day had dawned dry, bright, and pretty damned cold – but there was no wind so the cycling was easy.

This ‘event’ is usually attended by 100 or so cyclists, but in these days of Covid-19 restrictions this just couldn’t be.

In spite of restrictions, other cyclists had a similar idea to me, by the time I’d arrived at the Plough & Flail at around 11.45am, I’d ‘collected’ Pat and Vanessa en-route. Other cyclists had beaten us to it.

The former Stag Inn

There was just enough time for a photo call and a beer when it was time to head out to the Stag at Warford. The Stag, a one time excellent pub, closed it’s doors for the last time some years ago. In spite of various promises to re-open, it looks like it’s being converted to offices.

Still, a quick beer was quaffed as a mark of respect.

The Frozen Mop was next, followed by the Bird in Hand – a Sam Smith’s pub that Humphrey Smith had closed a long time before Covid-19, for reasons best known to himself.

The Bird in Hand....anyone want a job?

A sign in the pub window advertised for someone to run the pub. I don’t think there’ll be many applicants, most folk I know want at least SOME job security.

The Bull’s Head & Roebuck were next, along with a couple of pints of Cheshire Cat. The Roebuck has become a village shop, selling lovely pies. And beer. No photos I'm afraid, I was too busy eating my butties.

The sun continued to shine brightly – and almost hotly. Not bad for an early spring day.

The Church Inn, preceded the once excellent Chapel House, now a private house, but still sporting the pub sign.

The former Chapel house, now a private house

 The last pub of the day was the Railway, a former Greenall’s house. This pub is unusual in that it has retained it’s bowling green – so many pubs have converted their greens to beer gardens – or car parks.

 The Railway rather unwillingly hosts a music and singing session at the end of the ‘Eight’, it’s proved popular with customers and M8ers alike, but for some reason this enthusiasm isn’t shared by the pub management. 

 With no pub to play in this year those remaining headed for the Manchester-bound platform of Mobberley station. A few tunes were knocked out, no singing though, before we all began our responsibly distanced journeys to our respective homes.

And we all lived happily ever after.

 

Friday 25th March, Mobberley again

Just some photographs from this year’s Tour de Mobberley, aka The Mobberley 8.

Many of the photographs are mine, others (all the decent ones) were taken by Amy, Jenn Stanley, Susie Stockton-Link, John Condy….and probably others too.

A very splendid outing in good company and fine weather. Excellent beers may have been enjoyed in all of the pubs. Singing & playing at the Railway, Mobberley.

The day was spoiled somewhat, my mate Jenn had her bike stolen from outside the Railway. As far as I’m aware this is the first time this sort of thing has happened on the Mobberley 8. Not good. too many ‘strangers’ taking part these days? Who knows.

One good thing: I’ve proved to myself that I CAN cycle in a kilt.

 

Amy’s photo of Ralph & Co

John Hastie & Nessie

John Condy’s excellent pic at the Plough & Flail

Gerry & Susie

Sad sight – the closed Stag @ Warford.

Nessie playing beautifully

John McN

Linda making ‘em have it

Lord Peter Whimsey

Susie in fine and full voice

The day’s route….remarkably similar to last years!

Around 25 miles….and almost flat. Apart from the hilly bits.

Good Friday 2015, Cycling the Eight

It’s Good Friday so it must be the Mobberley 8

Every Good Friday there’s a bicycle ride around the pubs of Mobberley. It all started in the 1970s and has continued ever since. It’s not organised, it just happens every year. Apart from last year, when I was walking a section of the South West Costal Path, I’ve done the M8 continually since the mid 1980s.

Whilst most cycle around the route, although in previous years there have been some on horseback, a couple of runners, the inevitable walkers….usually those who have a bike that’s let them down – punctures etc.

In the early days the challenge was to get around nine pubs, starting from the Plough and Flail at twelve o’clock midday, and finishing 2 hours later at the Railway. Why nine pubs? Well, the parish of Mobberley has 8 pubs but the route takes you out of the parish to pass another pub. And it could be considered rude to pass the pub by without calling in for a swift one.

In these days of extended pub opening hours the Mobberley Eight still starts at mid-day, but it’s finish is far more relaxing. Many don’t leave the last pub until 6pm.

This year the event was supported by those fine young ladies (?) of the Macclesfield W.I. Well that’s who they said they were. The contents of the teapot were ever so slightly suspect.

At the first pub, The Plough & Flail:

 

The Frozen Mop:

 Some ladies appear to have taken a wrong turning – in more ways than one

LJH (on the left) engineer and carpenter extraordinaire‎. He built the machine below.

The ‘8’ always attracts some real feats of engineering contrivance, this year was no exception:

Front wheel drive: a 24v motor powered by 2 x 12v GelCells. the motor had a reduction drive and further gearing was via a cobbled-together derailleur mechanism hanging off the front forks. It worked but the lack of a soft-start on the motor made for some interesting standing starts.

Slightly damp conditions kept many away this year, numbers were definitely down

Two pubs were closed this year, the Stag and the Roebuck. This meant other arrangements needed to be made. One substitution was The Mobberley Victory Hall, purveyors of very fine ales indeed:

 

 The Victory Hall’s very tasteful dedication to those who fell

The Route:

 

From Timperley it’s around 25 very gentle miles

A very jolly day, some folk were jollier than others :-)

More photographs here.

Until next year then….

29th March, Pope visits Mobberley

Breaking News! The Pope makes Good Friday visit to Mobberley

Good Friday and Mobberley can only mean one thing:
Around 80 or so cyclists turned out for this year’s event, not bad considering the cold weather….but at least it was very dry.

In the beginning….

  Meeting at The Bleeding Wolf…which isn’t The Bleeding Wolf anymore

Then on to the first venue…..

…..and the next:

 

The Great Arrival

 

Interesting sidecar outfit

Pedant’s corner:

Meaningless statement: ‘Village Pub and Dining’. What’s that supposed to mean then? And where’s the village??

Easy way to do the ride….if you’re the passenger

 

Get some in!

Papal support crew

The recently elected Pope set something of a precedent by retiring before popping his clogs. He’s setting a further precedent by canvassing his successor:

The route from JJ Towers:

27 miles with around 800’ of up. And down.

Same time, same place next year then.
More piccies here.