Start time 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point Moulton Co-op, Stocks Hill, Moulton, NN3 7TB
Monthly Archives: January 2018
Pot Holes – How they effect Cyclists -Filming for the BBC, Inside Out East Programme.

Sam from CTC HQ with Brian

Riding past a Pothole.

Setting up an interview with Phil.L

Several false starts.

Sam is finally interviewed. A ten minute film will be shown on Inside Out East on Monday 12th February at 7.30pm BBC1
Ride Report Saturday 27th Jan
Peter Bayles led this ride and writes:
Six hardy riders set off from Brampton Valley Way, unanimously deciding to ride at a steady pace, and stay as one group, which turned out to be a good decision. The weather started innocuously enough; a damp day and cold, but at least not frosty as a number of previous weeks’ rides have been.
Good progress was made initially, riding through some wonderful countryside, with the group chatting and in good spirits. That was until the rain and the blustery wind started to do it’s best to ruin the day at around 11.00am. The rain remained persistent and the wind, which appeared to change direction so as to present a continual headwind with additional side buffeting, made for cold, tiring riding.
At one point James, demonstrating the superior waterproof capabilities of his gloves, clenched his fist and water poured out of them, to the obvious amusement of some of his fellow riders.
By the time the coffee stop was reached, the group was definitely struggling against the elements and harbouring secret thoughts of phoning a friend to arrange for early collection. Once inside the World Peace Cafe at the Buddhist Centre at Kelmarsh however, spirits were soon lifted by the warmth and good selection of food, and all thoughts of being beaten by a bit of rain and wind-chill were lost. James had even produced some spare, dry gloves that he had packed for just such an occasion.
It was at this point that Philip suggested that we took a short cut home. Of course the group were aghast at the suggestion of cheating, however Philip’s persuasive arguments eventually won the day. So, Philip led the bedraggled group back, following the pleasant roads through Haselbech, Cottesbrooke and Creaton, returning back to the start an hour earlier than planned.
As (nearly) always, the ride was enjoyable, especially in retrospect and after a nice hot shower, but this ride really should be repeated in better weather to fully enjoy the wonderful countryside that it goes through.
(Oh, and I neglected to say that we never actually made it to Sibbertoft as we also took a small shortcut to save a mile or two and get to the cafe quicker. Don’t tell Phil L, who kindly devised the route based on the Cycle4Cynthia ride but was unable to join).
Ride to Sibbertoft – Sat 27th January
Peter Bayles is leading this ride and writes:
Start time 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point Brampton Valley Way, Welford Crossing, NN6 8AA
Distance 54 mls (Brisk) or 49 mls (Moderate)
Refreshment stop World Peace Cafe, The Buddhist Centre, Kelmarsh
Pace Brisk or Moderate
Time Expected Back Around 2.30pm
We have two rides on Saturday starting at 9.30am from Brampton Valley Way. The Brisk Ride is 54 miles at a pace of 14mph, with the Moderate Ride, probably being a self led group, 49 miles and, depending on the riders turning up, will be around 11 to 12 mph. Cafe stop at the 32 mile point is at the World Peace Cafe, which for the time being is still at Kelmarsh.
We will leave Brampton Valley Way, riding NW through Church Brampton, Holden, Teeton and then past Guilsborough. From there we will ride through West Haddon and Yelvertoft, turning North through Clay Cotton and Stanford Hall before turning to a South Easterly directtion at South Kilworth towards Cold Ashby, then North again at Thornby.
Riding through Naseby, the Brisk Ride will pass through the furthest point at Sibbertoft and ride down via Clipston to our Cafe stop at Kelmarsh. The Moderate Ride will take a 5 mile short cut at Naseby, riding directly to Clipson, and onto Kelmarsh. The Buddhist Centre has just moved to Thornby Hall, but the World Peace Cafe will stay open at Kelmarsh for a short while.
Suitably refreshed and calmed, both groups will continue to Harrington, turning homewards through Lamport, Sealdwell, Brixworth and Spratton, retracing our tyre tracks Southwards back to the start at BVW.
Thanks go to Phil L, who devised the route based on Ride for Cynthia, but is unfortunately not able to join us this week. If the weather forecast is to be believed, we should at least have a reasonable temperature for the time of year so, thankfully, no snow or ice.
We should return well before dusk, probaly between 2.00 and 2.30pm, but please remember to bring lights.
We look forward to welcoming all riders, and especially any new riders who may wish to join the ride. For any further questions, please feel free to contact Peter Bayles
Brisk Ride Route:
Ride to Bourne End – Sun 21st January
Milton Cadman is leading this ride and writes:
Start time 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point Canoe Centre Bedford Rd, Northampton NN4 7AA
Distance 48 miles
Refreshment stop The Bike Bus, Bourne End Beds
Pace Steady 12-14 mph
Time Expected Back Around 2.30pm
The Bike Bus is a worthy destination for this winter trip. A London double decker bus in a farmer’s field, it’s run by Grant, an ex bike mechanic, and provides fine bacon and sausage butties as well as cakes to accompany our tea and coffee. There is a small bike shop on the top floor of the bus as well.
From the Canoe Centre we will ride through Little Houghton, Cogenhoe, Castle Ashby, and Bozeat before turning south to Harrold, Carlton, Turvey and on to Newton Blossomville. From here we take a series of small and lesser known roads to Astwood and beyond until we reach the bus. The return is through North Crawley , Sherington, Filgrave and Tyringham before we get on the road at Stoke Goldington that will lead us through Salcey Forest, (another stop if we need it) Quinton and Preston Deanery and back to the Canoe Centre.
It’s not an especially challenging route, but at 48 miles at this time of year, it’s enough to give us a lovely day out. Be seen lights are a good idea if it gets gloomy.
I hope, with a relaxed but steady pace, we should get back to Northampton by 2.30 pm at the latest.
It’ll be good to see you.
Ride report – Saturday 13th January
Peter Bayles led this ride and writes:
The weather was kind to the six riders that set off from East Hunsbury on Saturday 13th Jan for the ride to Stowe, being reasonably mild for the time of year and, more importantly, dry all day. Quite a few of our regular riders are suffering from ailments of one form or another at the moment, so it was especially good to welcome Mark on his first ride with us.
The group decided to stick together on the way out, taking the ride at a steady pace through pleasant country roads, albeit with some seasonal mud on a few of the smaller ones. The route was not too challenging, with the usual selection of tiring inclines, but nothing too difficult.
Alex’s Garmin refused to work correctly at first, giving strange directions and, at one point, suggesting the sea as a destination. After a few unkind conversations regarding the instability of the Garmin software, well into the ride the owner found that he had actually plotted the wrong route.
We couldn’t resist the photograph of the Corinthian Arch, with five fine riders captured in front of it (obviously the sixth was behind the lens). The Nevillery Café at Stowe served the usual National Trust selection of cakes and sandwiches, which were eagerly consumed in comfortable surroundings. That was until the fire alarm went off. This turned out to be a false alarm, but did mean that we had to finish our coffees outside in the cold, whilst watching the fire engine, sirens blaring, arrive at the scene.
The group split into two on the way back, with three riders needing to push ahead to get back for various events.
The roads back via Silverstone and Whittlebury were faster than those in the first half of the ride, but still quite quiet. So a good pace was kept up on the second leg, until progress was abruptly interrupted due to temporary roadwork’s before Shutlanger, where several traffic lights had appeared in series.
With the roadwork’s behind us, we set off again and both groups were back without punctures or other incidents before 2.00pm.
So, overall, an enjoyable ride with pleasant weather, and no punctures to report.
Ride to Stowe – Saturday 13th January
Start time 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point Hunsbury Hill Library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury, NN4 0RZ
Distance 45 mls (Brisk) or 43 mls (Moderate)
Just before Wappenham, the Brisk and the Moderate routes diverge, with the Moderate group turning South on the pleasant Brookside road to Syresham. At this point, the Brisk group have the opportunity to pile on another couple of miles by continuing through Wappenham, riding to Helmdon and on to Syresham via Crowfield.
From Syresham both groups continue through Biddlesden, on to Chackmore and then up Stowe Avenue to the Corinthian Arch, a convenient photo opportunity for the vain. The Nevillery Café is in, or at the National Trust New Inn, to the right of the Arch.
Suitably refreshed and sustained, both groups will return along Ouse Valley Way, then onto faster roads through Dadford, Silverstone and Whittlebury.
We will cross the A5 again at Heathencote and return via Shutlanger, Blisworth and Milton Malsor.