Max’s brother-in-law says a few words
Elevenses at Waterloo Farm Café
Chatting in the queue at elevenses
Gathering along the lane south of Arthingworth
Max’s sister scatters his ashes
An affectionate marker
Some flowers from Max’s garden
Everyone is invited to join this ride which will be a special occasion. Thursday would have been Max’s 79th Birthday and his family are coming up from Suffolk to scatter his ashes along a quiet local lane.
We will meet from 10.30 a.m. at Waterloo Farm Café, Great Oxendon, LE16 8NB. [Grid Ref SP 740 843]
The Ride will proceed to Great Oxendon turning right up the hill then left to Clipston, through the village to turn towards Kelmarsh, cross over A508 towards Harrington to turn left down the hill towards Arthingworth. Here we will meet up towards the bottom of the hill by the last clump of trees at noon [Grid Ref SP 754 806]. The family will then conduct the scattering of Max’s ashes. Afterwards we shall proceed through Arthingworth up the hill to Desborough for lunch at the Tapas Grill and Wine Bar. This is attached to “The Ritz” in Station Road, NN14 2RL. [Grid Ref SP 803 833]
Map of ride route
Richard Daniells has circulated these details as there may be quite a few cyclists who are not regular attendees at Thursday Club rides but who may like to come to pay their last respects to Max in a local quiet spot of the kind that Max enjoyed.
As the Tapas Bar only holds approx 30 people, if a large number turn up there are other eating places locally: “The Bulls Head” Arthingworth and “The Tollmache Arms” at Harrington.
We look forward to seeing you on this special occasion and our last link with one of most loyal supporters of and workers for our pastime.
Phil L led this ride and writes:
The tiny peleton of three which gathered for the start of “Phil’s Hilly 30 miler” feared the worst as the rain came down and the wind started to blow. And so it wasn’t brilliant for the first forty minutes of the ride especially since -as is always the case – the wind was against us!
But then the rain cleared away and by the time we made the turn towards home at Naseby, we were in sunshine with the wind at our backs. No other groups seemed to be out, just single or double riders, but plenty of folks on horses.
There was time for a coffee stop at Church Brampton as well. Good to see new rider Tim out with us again.
Iain D, our Chairman, went on this ride led by Brian, our Rides Secretary, and writes:
Eight of us gathered on a spectacularly warm – for early April – Monday morning at the Canoe Centre on Bedford Road, including two faces I’d not seen before and the ever-welcome Ken.
Brian led us out through Cogenhoe, Wollaston and Poddington where we encountered the first problem of the day: the Brompton – my ride for the day – didn’t want to make the turn at the bottom of Poddington’s hill. It was eventually persuaded round but the front tyre was looking rather empty. I think the two are linked.
Which leads me on to the second problem of the day, and a lesson for all of us: bring your tyre levers AND the right pump for the inner tube. Honestly, who puts a Presta valve on a 16″ tube ? Won’t be buying those again … . Anyway, thanks to Milton, we got rolling again fairly quickly and on to something I’m not used to – being passed by a bin wagon. A little reminder that we were out on a weekday, for a change.
The day’s route spent a few miles running against the grain on previous years’ Guy Barber route before cutting down to Sharnbrook and following the same in the more familiar direction, and since the café in Sharnbrook was closed, we looped over the A6 again and back to Milton Ernest for lunch at their fine garden centre.
Leaving Milton Ernest, we hit snag no. 3: Network Rail’s ongoing plan to raise bridges on the Midland Main Line. Rather annoyingly, the road closure signs promised 26 weeks of closure starting 03rd October last year. We’re now into week 27 and they’re a long way from done yet. I’m told the current estimate is completion by 31st May. Fortunately, there’s a well-trodden path across an adjacent OSR field that leads out to another road. Phew.
Carlton – Harrold – Bozeat – Castle Ashby and you know the rest. All completed without further mishap and not a single drop of rain.
Many thanks to Brian for a pleasant day’s outing and I promise to be better equipped next time out.
CTC Northampton 