Ride to Cranford, Saturday 25th March

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Phil Johnson

Philip Gray is leading this ride and writes:

Start time: 9.30am
Meeting point: Moulton Co-op, Stocks Hill, Moulton, NN3 7TB
Distance: 36 miles/40 miles.
Café Stop: Old Forge at Cranford
Pace: Moderate/Brisk.
Estimated return: 1.15pm

Some of you may recognise this as a re-run of a popular (I believe!) route from February 2022. Starting from Moulton Co-op, we’ll ride clockwise around Kettering to reach the Old Forge at Cranford after 23 / 27 miles for the Moderates / Brisks respectively.

The current forecast is for 9-11 degrees, overcast with sunny spells but potentially a skiff of rain and a light headwind on the way back. So, not bad for this time of year.

Routes are available here :

Moderate 36 miles

MCP-Ged-CranStA-Mod-36

Brisk 40 miles

MCP-Ged-CranStA-Brisk-40

Please sign up at Signup Genius if possible and let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks

Philip

Ride report, Sunday 19th March

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Phil Johnson

PhilL led this ride and writes:

The five of us who assembled at EH for today’s 50/50 off-road ride to Willen were pleasantly surprised by the springlike weather as we headed off, picking up Brian T. and John W. en- route. I think we all enjoyed some off-road cycling with a bit of respite from the usual battle with hostile motorists and end to end potholes.

Mind you the gun-shot sounds emanating from the hidden firing range alongside NR6 into Ouse Valley Park did make me wonder if some of those ‘hostile’ motorists were aiming to pick off their hated cyclists!

It was pleasant too riding the Redways into Willen along the Grand Union canal.

What I hadn’t factored in was a well attended ‘fun’ run and being Mothering Sunday, the world and his mum out for a ‘jolly.’ So plenty of folk about.

AND the fact that Benugo cafe which was my intended coffee stop was closed for refurbishment. HOW DARE THEY!

But fortunately there was a coffee kiosk set up for the runners so caffeine deficiency was restored.

It was an equally pleasant ride back canal side and through the opposite, eastern end of Ouse Valley Park, Haversham and Hanslope.

So thanks for the support and pleasant company folks.

regards,
Phil Letts

Ride to Willen, Off/On road, Sunday 19th March

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Phil Johnson

PhilL is leading this ride and writes:

A gravel bike or MTB is required for this ride as a good 50% is off road.

Start time: 9.30am
Meeting Point: Hunsbury Hill library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury NN4 0RZ
Distance: 37.6 miles
Café stop: Benugo café, Willen Lake
Average pace: 12mph
Time expected back: 2pm

The Ridewith GPS is here:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37541562

Our route takes us past Salcey forest on normal tarmac roads, onto Long Street and Hanslope before branching off to Castlethorpe where we pick up NR.6, the gravel off-road into Ouse Valley Park. From here on in is where a Gravel or MTB bike is required because soon after riding through the outskirts of Wolverton, we soon follow the Red-ways along the Grand Union canal to Willen lake and the coffee stop at Benugo café.

Our return journey is again back along the Red-ways but a different route through Ouse Valley park and the village of Haversham. It’s back onto tarmac for the rest of the ride back through to Hanslope, Long Street and our starting point at EH.

A gravel bike or MTB is required for this ride as a good 50% is off road.

I’m on 07867388592 or you can book via Genius

regards,

Phil Letts

Ride to Towcester, CANCELLED

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Phil Johnson

Today’s ride to Towcester has been cancelled due to risk of ice on the roads.

Thank you.

Ride to Towcester, Saturday 11th March

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Phil Johnson

BrianT is leading this ride and writes:

It seems strange posting this ride plan with the snow falling in the area. However, the weather can change suddenly so here is the plan just in case the weather turns tropical !! The original ride was to have been to Whittlebury Bakery but that is now closed.

Start time: 9.30 a.m.
Meeting point: Hunsbury Hill library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury NN4 0RZ
Start> What3words:== linen.pines.zones
Distance: 37 miles / 31 miles
Cafe stop: Towcester Bakery
Pace: Brisk / Moderate

Choice of two rides at either a Brisk pace (14mph+ average) 40miles or Moderate pace (12-13mph ) 32 miles, both groups meeting up at the Towcester Bakery for coffee.

The ride is mainly on quiet roads in rolling countryside.

From East Hunsbury the route is out through Gayton, Bugbrooke, Nether Heyford and across to Maidford, Blakesley, Greens Norton and the Towcester café (At Gayton, the Moderate pace group takes a shorter route through Eastcote, Pattishall, Blakesley, Greens Norton ). After that it is a short ride home via Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth to EH.

Please check your emails nearer the time in case the weather is icy and we have a change of plan.

Ride with GPS route links below.

EH 37m Towcester Bakery:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42181985

EH 31m Towcester Bakery:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42181820

Please sign up via CTC Northampton: Group Rides (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da5ae23a3fdc61-group)

More details from Brian on 01604 622073 or text 07722 055149

Ride to Culworth, Sunday 5th March

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Phil Johnson

Peter B is leading this ride and writes:

Meeting Point: Hunsbury Hill library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury NN4 0RZ
Time: 9.30am
Distance: 45 Miles
Pace: Steady – Around 13mph Average
Cafe Stop: Old Forge Coffee, Culworth
Estimated return: Around 2.00 pm

This Sunday’s ride is from East Hunsbury to Culworth.

We ride out to the West of Northampton past Milton Malsor, Pattishall, Blakesley, Helmdon and on to Culworth. Our café stop is at the Old Forge Coffee, around the 24 mile mark.

The return route will take us through Canons Ashby, Maidford, Nether Heyford and Rothersthorpe. The link to the route is below.

As Philip keeps (rightly) reminding us, COVID is not yet over, so please consider the usual precautions.

As usual it is very helpful for our planning to follow this link to book a place on Signup: Group rides

Link to route on RidewithGPS:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30637370

Cheers Peter

Ride report, Saturday 25th February

Posted on February 25, 2023 by Phil Johnson

Nick led this ride and writes:

Fast and rolling route for the brisks, starting from the white water centre a nice pace ensued. We caught up with Vicky and Hartley momentarily before passing at Cogenhoe only to meet Mr Weller. Taking turns on the front with James to hold pace in the wind we quickly arrived at Olney averaging 17 mph, café legs were in full swing after leaving Out of Office and the headwind had picked up. Pressing on we were back at the white water centre making good time.

Thanks

Nick

Ride to Olney, Saturday 25th February

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Phil Johnson

Nick is leading this ride and writes:

Meeting Point: Nene Whitewater Centre, Bedford Road, NN4 7AA
Time: 9.30am
Distance: Brisk: 38mls, Moderate: 34mls
Pace: Brisk 15 to 16 mph, Moderate ~12 mph, to suit riders
Cafe Stop: Out of Office, Olney
Estimated return: Around 1.30pm

Tomorrow’s ride will be heading out from the white water centre, onwards passing through; Little Houghton, Cogenhoe, Grendon, Bozeat, Harrold, Turvey and to a new and exciting coffee stop (Out of Office), once refuelled heading back via Yardley Hastings and Castle Ashby before retracing steps at Cogenhoe and returning.

It’s advisable to bring a bike lock with you, as the bikes will not be directly visible from the café.

As usual, it is very helpful to follow this link to book a place on Signup: Group rides

Links to the routes on RWGPS:

Brisk – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41798535

Moderate – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41797985

Cheers Nick

Ride report, Sunday 19th February

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Phil Johnson

PhilL led this ride and writes:

Hi Folks,

‘Spring has sprung!’ Well that is what it felt like when x6 of us met at the N.W Relief road building site that masquerades as our BVW club meet up point. Superb spring-like sunshine greeted us. It was a pleasure to welcome Richard, a friend and neighbour of Alex, along for the ride. Six of us gathered with the arrangement to meet up with Vicki, Hartley and John W at Ecton junction.

No particular problems en route as we slipped through Boughton and Moulton only to hear on the way to Overstone a faint cry of ‘I’m here’ from Mr Weller marooned on a roundabout!

We duly met up with Vicki and Hartley and were soon in the queue for coffee and cake at a somewhat mobbed Grounds Café in Salcey forest.

Lots of cyclists out, most of whom John seemed to know!

With the temperature climbing and the countryside looking great we whizzed through Hartwell, Roade and Blisworth before folks began peeling off for home destinations.

So a good ride out in the sunshine-thanks for your company folks.

Regards,

Phil Letts

Boundary ride – on road, Sunday 19th February

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Phil Johnson

Phil Letts is leading this ride and writes:

Meeting Point: BVW (Brampton Valley Way, Welford Crossing, NN6 8AA)
Time: 9.30am
Distance: 37 miles
Pace: 12 mph
Café Stop: Salcey Forest, Grounds Cafe
Estimated return: Around 2pm

The Ride with GPS is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41683197

This steady ‘circuit’ of Northampton skirts or circles the Borough boundary keeping the Express Lift Tower as our hub all ride.

All of it is on tarmac so a road bike is to be preferred.

The 1st part of the Boundary route takes us from BVW through Boughton, Moulton, Overstone, Ecton, the Houghtons, Preston Deanery and to Salcey Forest for a coffee stop at Grounds Cafe at 18 miles.

The return loop and 2nd half of the Boundary sees us pass through Hartwell, Roade, Blisworth, Gayton, Rothersthorpe, Kislingbury, Harpole, Harlestone, Church Brampton and back to BVW making 37miles.

I’m on 07867388592 or you can book on Genius