Phil Letts is leading this ride and writes:
Start time: 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point: Brampton Valley Way, Welford Crossing, NN6 8AA
Distance: 35 mls
Refreshment stop: Outpost Bedford Rd.
Pace: Moderate
A mostly off road ride exploring many of the new housing developments in Northampton and their associated cycle paths. Taking in developments at Dallington, Timken, St. Crispins, Princess Marina, Upton Park, Brackmills, Buckton Fields etc.
A fair few stretches are off road so MTB or gravel bike required not road bike.
I’m on 07867388592
Phil Letts
James Cairncross is leading this ride and writes:
Start time: 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point: Nene Whitewater Centre, Bedford Road, NN4 7AA
Distance: 55 mls
Refreshment stop: Forest Centre Café
Pace: Steady
This Sunday’s Steady ride takes us from the Canoe Centre to our café stop at the Millennium Country Park, Marston Vale. Leaving the Canoe Centre we head south to Horton and on to Stoke Goldington and Gayton, taking the turn eastwards towards Sherington and tackling the mighty Chicheley Hill.
Hill beaten, we freewheel to North Crawley then tackle an easier climb to Cranfield before we’re rewarded with a long descent into Marston Moretaine and coffee at the country park, roughly at the halfway point. Leaving the café we retrace our steps out of the valley, this time heading north to Astwood and Newton Blossomville then west towards Emberton and Olney (making use of the redway alongside the A509).
From here we take our usual route around the back of town, up to Yardley Hastings and back to the start via Castle Ashby and Cogenhoe.
This is a fairly lumpy ride with two or three short but sharp climbs, however each one is followed by a nice descent and nobody will be left behind!
On the 14th of October 1979 CTC Northampton section reformed after an absents of 12 years. Cycling was enjoying a resurgence in popularity with a growing demand for organised cycle rides. Two local CTC Members Geoff Caverhill and Mick Holiday sent out the letter below to the county members informing them that a ride would be taking place today (40 years ago) to gauge the level of interest for CTC club representation in the area.
Next year in 2020 we will celebrating our Centenary with a 100mile/km ride from the town centre. If you have any ideas please comment.
Around picturesque Castle Ashby
Eleven riders turned out on Saturday morning to join Giles’ brisk and moderate rides to Woodford Halse. Giles led the Brisks, and I led the Moderates, with five riders opting for the brisk. Weather was kind yet again, with damp roads at the start, but no rain other than a very light spotting for a couple of minutes at one point, and a mild temperature.
The riders were slightly late setting off, with the now internationally famous Geoff discovering a soft tyre after getting to the start. Fortunately, unlike Peter’s puncture last week, after inflating, it didn’t give any more problems.
The brisk group, having seven more miles to cover than the Moderates, pushed on from the outset, leaving the Moderates to enjoy a far more civilised pace to our coffee destination.
Before arriving at the café, Chris, who has been riding regularly with the club this year, made a surprising admission – he had never before ridden his bike on damp roads, let alone in the wet, prior to this ride. Apparently, having an Atom Trainer at home meant that he preferred to use that whenever rain was likely. Really Chris, is that better than pleasant company and banter ??
The moderates hit the Equestrian Centre café at Woodford Halse a couple of minutes before the Brisks, who had managed an average pace of 16mph, so deserved their coffee. John, however, was already enjoying his less deserved coffee when the Moderates arrived, having initially joined the Brisks, but cheating and taking a short-cut.
The café has new people running it, who were just as friendly as the previous management and, as before, the coffee and food, whilst not cheap, was excellent.
The route back was less arduous, being 17mls and, ignoring a few undulations, generally down hill to Northampton.
Most of the riders set off to ride back together, although Elena and Chris decided to split off in order, we suspected, for them to revisit the cake counter.
The group kept a respectable pace and was back to the start at East Hunsbury, well before 1.00pm. Thanks go to Giles for a great route and morning riding.
(Just in case you wondered why Geoff was referred to as “internationally famous”, it’s because he was interviewed this week and appeared on local TV, giving his expansive views about today’s politics. Bet that included some choice phrases.)
*Chris D has pointed out that I called Rob “Chris” by mistake (sorry Rob, I guess I was thinking about your son).
Apologies to Chris and Rob – to clarify, Rob hates rain and has an Atom Trainer. Chris likes extra cake.
Time Expected Back: Around 1.00pm
We look forward to welcoming all riders, as always, and especially any new riders who may wish to join the ride. For any further questions, please feel free to contact Giles on 07540 887198
PhilJ led this ride and writes:
CTC Northampton 