Ride to Stowe Gardens – Sunday 1st March

Peter Bayles is leading this ride and writes:

Start time:  9.30 a.m.
Meeting point:  Hunsbury Hill Library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury, NN4 0RZ
There is parking in the close or near the library
Distance:  44 mls
Refreshment stop:  The Nevillery Café at Stowe, 26 mls
Average Pace:   Steady ~13 to 14 mph
Time Expected Back:  Around 2.00pm

The ride this Sunday is from East Hunsbury to Stowe Gardens, with a refreshment stop at the National Trust Nevillery Cafe there.

This is a second attempt at the ride that I cancelled a couple of weeks ago – this time the weather is actually looking OK – no high winds or torrential rain is forecast. Yet.

We will leave East Hunsbury, riding past Milton Malsor, turning right down Gayton Road, past Gayton Marina, and on to Tiffield.  Almost through Tiffield, we hang a right and ride through Caldecote and on to the A5.  Crossing the A5 a few hundred metres North (there is a path along side the busy road), we will ride West through Duncote, Greens Norton, Bradden, Wappenham to Helmdon.

After Helmdon we change direction, passing through Syresham, following Welsh Lane into Stowe Gardens to our refreshment stop at the National Trust cafe there.

The return route is through Chackmore and Whittlebury, crossing the A5 again at Heathencote before riding through Blisworth and back through Milton Malsor.

As always, any new riders would be very welcome.

For any further questions, please feel free to contact Peter Bayles on 07979850096

Route: EH/Stowe/44mls (avoids Silverstone)

 

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Ride report – Saturday 23rd February

BrianT went on this ride and writes:

Three riders gathered at Brampton Valley Way on Saturday morning. We knew that many of the regular riders were away so we thought numbers would be low. In addition there had been strong winds and rain overnight and the forecast had been somewhat dire.

However by 9:30 it was dry, and the temperature high for the time of year (11 degC ) although still quite windy. JamesC had volunteered to lead the Brisk ride as Philip G had to pull out at the last minute. However, Philip arrived at 9:30 and rode with us as far as Holdenby.
Just before Philip returned, Richard arrived having missed us at the start. He was a new rider but knew Milton. At this stage we split into brisk and moderate pace, James taking the three on the slightly longer route to Mini Meadows, all arriving close to 11 a.m.

We had a good coffee and cake at Mini Meadows and then decided to take the moderate route back to Northampton. The wind was picking up but it had been mainly a crosswind on the way there and was likely to be the same on the way back.

The route out of Welford took us towards South Kilworth before we turned off on a single track road signed Jurassic Way. After we battled uphill into a strong headwind the road changed to a bridleway.  James on his cross bike was equipped for this but as none of us knew how far the track went we agreed to head back towards Welford. As the wind was strengthening we decided to take the shortest route home.

This started along the quiet main road out of Welford before we turned off to Naseby again. After another discussion James decided to follow the original route home whilst we headed off for Cottesbrooke, Brixworth and Moulton since the three of us lived on the other side of town. We were sorry to leave James on his own but he probably got home a lot quicker.

The wind was certainly howling through the trees but the hedges on the small country roads seemed to protect us pretty well. Just the odd stretch of exposed road kept us on our toes.  Given the wind and the hills it was quite a challenging ride but I think we were all glad to have been out.

Many thanks to James for stepping into the breach and leading the ride.

Ride to Stowe – Cancelled

THE RIDE TO STOWE THIS SUNDAY IS CANCELLED 

Unfortunately, storm Dennis has not changed course or timing, and, as feared, Sunday’s forecast is awful, with very high winds and heavy rain.

Therefore I have cancelled this weekend’s ride.

I will re-schedule this for 2 weeks time on 1st March.  I will re-confirm the ride nearer this date.

Cheers – Peter

PLEASE CHECK NEARER THE DAY FOR POSSIBLE CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER

Peter Bayles is leading this ride and writes:

Start time:  9.30 a.m.
Meeting point:  Hunsbury Hill Library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury, NN4 0RZ
There is parking in the close or near the library
Distance:  44 mls
Refreshment stop:  The Nevillery Café at Stowe, 26 mls
Average Pace:   Steady ~13 to 14 mph
Time Expected Back:  Around 2.00pm

The ride this Sunday is from East Hunsbury to Stowe Gardens, with a refreshment stop at the Nevillery Café there.
The bad news is that the weather is not looking very promising to say the least, with high winds and copious precipitation forecasted.  I will cancel the ride nearer the day if this doesn’t change.

Weather permitting, we will leave East Hunsbury, riding past Milton Malsor, turning right down Gayton Road, past Gayton Marina, and on to Tiffield.  Almost through Tiffield, we hang a right and ride through Caldecote and on to the A5.  Crossing the A5 a few hundred metres North (there is a path along side the busy road), we will ride West through Duncote, Greens Norton, Bradden, Wappenham to Helmdon.

After Helmdon we change direction, passing through Syresham, following Welsh Lane into Stowe Gardens to our refreshment stop at the National Trust café there.

The return route is through Chackmore and Whittlebury, crossing the A5 again at Heathencote before riding through Blisworth and back through Milton Malsor.

As always, any new riders would be very welcome.

For any further questions, please feel free to contact Peter Bayles on 07979850096

Route: EH/Stowe/44mls (avoids Silverstone)

 

Ride report – Saturday 8th February

Chris Duff led this ride and writes:

The calm before the storm and the prospect of February sunshine later, brought out 14 riders, 10 for the Brisk Ride and four for the ‘Not so Brisk’.
Despite the challenge set by the ‘esteemed leader’ for the Brisks to catch the Moderates after the extra loop around Pindon End, they proved reluctant pursuers.
Conversation and contemplation characterised the group as, like reluctant volunteers, they kept a few paces behind the lead. 

The short section of the 508 raised the energy levels, but only briefly.
The Moderates, led so capably, as ever, by Brian, easily outpaced the Brisks arriving at the café at a very credible 11.02. 

It seemed the Brisks were determined to take it easy with Darryl providing the perfect excuse, with two punctures within two miles of the café.
Whilst this could be considered by some to be unlucky, others noticed that his tyres were worn and already full of holes inviting the comment that they looked like they were ‘painted on his inner tubes’.

Darryl was not to feel any reproach and magnanimously bought us all a Valentine’s heart from the excellent bakery with Milton accepting this graciously on our behalf.
Let’s hope Darryl remembers his wife on Valentine’s Day itself!
The café boasted outlandish cakes, good coffee and, given the Brisks late arrival, no queues – what’s not to like.

Drama was provided for some (out of sight of the main group who were providing moral support on punctures) when the ‘esteemed leader’ fell off his bike.
I was bruised and scraped but no real damage done except to my pride – easily hurt.
Thanks go to all those who sympathised and to Chris Holt’s quick reaction for not running into the incompetent mutt as he lay on the floor.
My only excuse was that I was enjoying myself too much – too much freedom clearly.
(I hope I will be allowed to come out again in future.)

The general sense of other worldliness continued after the stop with the sun shining in pure loveliness.
With the wind in our favour we cruised home with a sense of cycling joy not competition.
Both groups did not bother with the Gayton detour (it was only for the view after all).
The moderates, demonstrating effortless superiority, achieving a very creditable 13.7mph average on the way home.
The Brisks average overall was a rather sedate 14.7mph.

But some days it is quality that rules over quantity and this was probably one of them.

At least I hope it was!

Ride to Whittlebury – Saturday 8th February

Chris Duff is leading this ride and writes:

Start time:  9.30 a.m.
Meeting point:  Hunsbury Hill Library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury, NN4 0RZ
Distance:  Brisk 37 mls, Moderate 33 mls
Refreshment Stop: Whittlebury Bakery and Coffee Shop
Average Pace:   Brisk ~14.5mph, Moderate ~12mph
Time Expected Back:  Around 1.30pm

Given it is Winter then the ride is unlikely to be quick.The main route for the moderate riders is Milton Malsor, Blisworth, Roade, then Ashton, Grafton Regis and Alderton.
There is a short stretch of the A408 but there is a cycle (worn) path.
Then Paulerspury and South in a loop round to the A413 and up to the café.

The café has good cakes and coffee (great bread) and a good selection of snacks.
Then back via Silverstone, Bradden, then Greens Norton, Duncote and Tiffield, Gayton and back to the start.

For the brisk riders there is a wider circuit after Roade that goes to Hartwell, towards Hanslope and round by Pindon End.
With every incentive and potential to catch the moderates!

New riders would be very welcome.

For any further questions, please feel free to contact Chris Duff on 07770 976291
Brisk Route:

Brisk Ride to Whittlebury Cafe 37mls

Moderate Route:

Steady Ride to Whittlebury Cafe 33 mls

Kind regards
Chris

Ride report – Sunday 2nd February

BrianT went on this ride and writes:

 

Seven riders met on Sunday 2nd February to be joined by PeterB later on.  This off-road ride was a loop around Northampton taking in the off-road sections through Harlestone Firs, Grange Park and Salcey Forest.

There was a mix of clean, mountain and gravel bikes at the start.  James C was the exception as he had already cycled along  Brampton Valley Way just to make sure he and his bike were suitably muddy.  The rest of us had to wait half a mile or so until we rode across the golf club on a gravel track through the fairways, avoiding the golf balls from some friendly golfers. At the end of this we hit the first stretch of serious mud into Harlestone Firs.  Considering it was February the temperature was a balmy 10 degC,  however, there had been rain overnight.

The route in general was a series of tracks followed by cycle paths or roads where the bikes briefly shed the mud ready for the next muddy section.  Just to prove the worth of tubeless tyres Alan got a puncture on the canal path, stopped to look at a green patch oozing from the tyre, waited 30 seconds and then was off again with no need for a pump, very impressive. On the section through Salcey Forest to Piddington I kept thinking I hope I don’t have a puncture.  Quite a messy experience if I had.

The last section to Billing Aquadrome and the coffee stop was on road.  Looking at the riders without mudguards it would have been impossible for them to use the café and sit on any of the decent seats.  As it was the café inside Billing Aquadrome was in winter mode and only served coffee so we sat outside on the benches, by which time the sun had made a brief appearance.

We didn’t get to Billing until 12:15 so the general consensus was to miss out the last section and  head for home as several of us were about to leave the group anyway.
It was an interesting route around Northampton and  made a change from riding out on country lanes, not to mention giving the gravel bikes a good test. 

Thanks to Phil Letts for devising this route.

Brian