Ride to Naseby, Sunday October 3rd

PhilJ is leading this ride and writes:

Start time: 9.30am
Meeting point: TGI Friday’s, Sixfields, Northampton NN5 4EG
Distance: 37 miles
Refreshment Stop: The Old Vicarage Cafe
Pace: Steady

Next Sunday’s ride is over to one of the highest points in Northamptonshire.

For those of you who came on this ride last time, you’ll no doubt recall that I didn’t even make it up the first real climb at The Brampton’s before I fell ill and we returned to my place for tea and cakes. Well it’s about time I put that Demon to rest and tried again. This is quite an ‘up and down’ ride with some long climbs and fast descents as reward.

From Sixfields, The Brampton’s is the first test of our legs followed by the dip at Pitsford, the long haul to Spratton and then Teeton along the way. Cold Ashby settles us down before the run in to Naseby and the Old Vicarage Cafe opposite All Saints Church. Most of you will have been here once or twice and know how great the food and service is from the ladies who run it so well.

The loop continues through Haselbech and the Cottesbrooke estate comprising of more elevation. With just enough time to get your breath back, the inevitable climb back into Brixworth awaits before our arrival back at Pitsford puts us on the route out which continues through the Brampton’s again. A different route at Harlestone for the last couple of miles home completes our ride into Sixfields.

This route is short of 40 miles so not on par with most of our Sunday rides but there’s enough to contend with and whatever happens you’ll be enjoying tea and cakes somewhere next Sunday.

Hope some of you can join me.

Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5AE23A3FDC61-group

GPX: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31254436

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Ride report, Saturday 25th September

Peter Bayles went on the ride and writes:

Saturday’s ride was popular, with 18 cyclists meeting at Moulton for Brian T’s routes to Wilbarston. It was great to welcome a couple of new riders, Graham and Anne (taking a break from a tandem), and Terry, who hasn’t been out with us for a few years. Dennis, Bob H, Bob T, Otavio and Dave had also not been out for a while, so it was very nice to see them.

The riders split into two groups from the start, with Brian leading the Moderates, and Milton leading the four Brisks, plus John W, who joined further into the route.

The moderate route had a few hills, with Harrington Hill being a notably slow slog to the top. The Brisks then had a much harder series of hills to enjoy, which I heard Milton complaining that Brian’s write-up significantly understated the severity of.

Unfortunately, one of the Moderate riders felt light headed after Harrington Hill, and so Peter B stayed with him whilst he rested for while, and until Brian returned to accompany him back to the start.

This meant that Ian expertly took the Leader duties from Brian and guided the Moderate group to the outskirts of Wilbarston. I say “expertly” loosely, as Ian didn’t actually know where the cafe was, and so stopped the group and pondered how to find it. Fortunately, Viki quickly came to the rescue and did what many of us can’t ever do …… asked someone where it was.

The Milking Parlour in Wilbarston was excellent, with friendly staff, great coffee, cake and bacon sandwiches. The cafe first opened in 2019, but COVID forced it to temporarily close, and so we are especially pleased to see it re-open, and wish it every success.

The route back for the Moderates was fairly uneventful apart from a bit of an off-road scramble navigating the crossing under the A14 past Glendon. We followed a farm track instead of a footpath, which ended up with the group having to lift bikes and climb over a steel gate. Peter B had taken over the Lead from Ian at the Cafe, so was unable to blame him, but it did provide some fun and a photograph.

Thanks Brian for two great routes, and to all who joined.

Cheers – Peter

Ride to Wilbarston / Stoke Albany

BrianT is leading this ride and writes:

Start time: 9.30am
Meeting point: Moulton Co-op, Stocks Hill, Moulton, NN3 7TB
Distance: Brisk 43 miles and hilly. Moderate 37 miles not too hilly.
Refreshment Stop: The Milking Parlour Cafe at Wilbarston
Pace: Brisk 14+ mph Moderate 12+ mph

The ride goes out through Holcot, Walgrave, Mawsley to Harrington. After Harrington hill the groups split with the Brisk continuing north on a very lumpy section often on single track roads (all metalled) in a series of climbs to be rewarded with long fast descents, especially in Dingley. To cross from one quiet lane to the next there are very short sections on main roads. At Weston by Welland there is a flat respite then across to Ashley and down to Wilbarston for a coffee stop at Wilbarston.

The Moderate pace group split after Harrington hill and skirts Desborough on a flatish section all the way to Stoke Albany and the cafe at Wilbarston.
The Milking Parlour Cafe at Wilbarston (seating and bike parking in the courtyard ).
https://www.facebook.com/MilkingParlour2020

Suitably refreshed we return via the quiet lanes of Pipewell and Rushton crossing under the A14 on the old road to Thorpe Malsor. Then it is Loddington, Walgrave and Moulton.
Back by 1.30pm at latest.
More details from Brian on 07722 055149

You are welcome to sign up on CTC Northampton: Group rides (signupgenius.com)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da5ae23a3fdc61-group

This will help planning.

Ride with GPS routes:

Moderate MCP-37m Wilbarston
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37320809

Brisk MCP-43m Wilbarston

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37314069

ECO FEST – ABINGTON AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH

SUNDAY 19th September -12 -3pm

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CTC NORTHAMPTON STALL

Sunday’s ride 19th September

Dear All,

Our original planned route (Milton’s Bike Bus) clashed with Cycle4Cynthia, so we decided to not have a formal ride to encourage those wanting to join Cynthia to do so.  
Normally we do put this ride in our calendar, but it seems that this year it is even more appropriate as I understand fund raising and rider numbers are very much down.

Link to the Cycle4Cynthia web page:  https://www.cynthiaspencer.org.uk/event/C4C2021

Please support the ride if you can, the routes and indeed the day are very enjoyable, and the £20 entry fee is for a great cause.  I understand that you can call their office to pre-register, or you can register on the day, which Milton assures me is easy and efficient.

Cheers – Peter
(Obviously no need to book anything on our Signup app, Philip updated it just for information).

Ride to Preston Capes, Sunday 5th September

John W is leading this ride and writes:

Start Time: 9.30 am
Meeting Point: Hunsbury Hill library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury NN4 0RZ
Distance: 36 miles
Pace: Steady
Refreshment stop: Preston Capes
Time expected back: Around 1:30pm

Riding out via Gayton, Pattishall and Maidford to Cafe stop at Preston Capes

Coming back via Woodford Halse, Canons Ashby, Caldecote, Tiffield and Milton Malsor.

Please follow this link to book a place on Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5AE23A3FDC61-group

Feel free to contact me if you would like further information.

John W

Link to Ridewithgps:

EH/Preston Capes/34mls/JW