Phil J led this Saturday “brisk” ride and writes:
A glorious and cloudless sunny morning was the reward for the six riders who set off from East Hunsbury to Pitsford Water near Brixworth, including first timer Liam and occasional CTC rider Giles.
First, we descended into the valley at a fast pace setting the agenda for the rest of the
ride. Skirting Hunsbury Meadows we headed for Rothersthorpe and a couple of early inclines to raise the heartbeats of the group. Cruising towards Kislingbury got the riders warmed up in the wonderful morning sun before making our way towards Harpole on the safe cycle path alongside the main A4500 road. The short sharp climb out of Harpole provided the first real test of the day but everyone climbed admirably. A short run along the Roman road at the top led to another off road stretch on the near perfect cycle paths towards Harlestone before taking the road option again past the garden centre. Another fast descent beckoned past the Fox & Hounds on the smooth tarmac giving us momentum up the other side and the turn towards the Bramptons. More fast descending and climbing followed towards The Windhover and eventually up to the main Market Harborough road ahead. Two more fast downhills and long climbs lay ahead before the arrival into Pitsford and we were all grateful to see the signs up ahead.
Eleanor had already secured a table for us all and we joined her for refreshments in the open air. After a very pleasant stop, five of us headed back whilst Eleanor and Brian made their own way home. The first downhill out of Pitsford was accompanied by a sudden headwind, coming out of nowhere, making the subsequent climb that little bit harder to make. The second dip was avoided though as we turned right towards Brampton Halt where new boy Liam took the helm with a turn of pace to the Northampton Road junction. At this point Phil L branched off leaving a team of four to continue. The road went upwards again before the rewarding dash down through Church Brampton and back past the Fox & Hounds for a second time. Upper Harlestone was next en route which looked picturesque in the morning sunshine. We meandered our way through the village and onto the Roman road again where a headwind hit us immediately, just as if the gods had seen us coming! We moved swiftly though and were soon turning for the exhilarating downhill into Harpole which would be the last on the ride and one to enjoy. Pineham provided more smooth off road riding over to Hunsbury Meadows. The final climb to the finish went up Hunslet Lane for a change, a shorter sharper rise than the usual route we normally take and caught some of the group by surprise. A quick dip before another rise completed the climbing and the morning’s ride.
Well done everyone!
CTC Northampton 