Meeting point: Nene Whitewater Centre, Bedford Road, NN4 7AA Time: 9.30am Distance: 41 Miles Pace: Steady, 13 to 14mph Cafe Stop: Emmaus Centre, Carlton Estimated return: Around 1.30pm
Sunday’s ride will head out from the Whitewater Centre, passing Quinton, Hanslope, Emberton and Turvey, to our café stop at the Emmaus Centre in Carlton at around 25 miles.
Return is via Harrold, Bozeat and Cogenhoe (yes, the bank) and back to our start, hopefully around 1.30pm in plenty of time to get ready for the fireworks.
The weather’s looking bright, but very cold overnight – fingers crossed there isn’t a risk of ice, but watch out for any emails nearer the time please.
As usual, it is very helpful to follow this link to book a place on Signup: Group rides
Twelve riders met at East Hunsbury on a very cold, but dry morning, for a ride to Woodford Halse. Overnight the temperatures had gone down to zero, so cancelling the ride was a possibility because of the risk of ice. In the event, we chose to continue, which was fortunate because the roads were good, and it almost felt spring-like at times, with clear skies and sunshine.
Phil G volunteered to lead Jon and James, following the brisk route, leaving the remaining nine riders to follow the Moderate route.
Most of the route followed smaller, normally quiet, roads. However a couple of the single track roads around Adstone were surprising busy with cars, and the verges had been badly churned up. This was presumably a result of a road closure between Blakesley and Maidstone.
The Brisks made good time, arriving at the Harley Cafe a couple of minutes before the Moderates, but after John W, who had found a short-cut. Coffee, cakes and scones went, as usual, down very well, although I did hear James say that he would have preferred his cake to be a little less sweet (not sure many tired cyclists would agree with that though).
Both groups set off on the return leg together, almost immediately hitting a climb just past Woodford Halse that separated the riders naturally into groups again. Phil J unfortunately suffered a rear puncture, but at least he’s getting impressively good at changing his tube, having had one a couple of weeks back as well.
Thanks to everyone for a great day out and thanks to Phil G for leading the Brisks.
Meeting point: Hunsbury Hill library, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury NN4 0RZ Time: 9.30am Distance: Brisk: 40mls, Moderate: 36mls Pace: Brisk 14 mph plus, Moderate ~12 mph Cafe Stop: Equestrian Centre, Woodford Halse Estimated return: Around 1.30pm
This Saturday’s Brisk and Moderate rides take us West of Northampton to Woodford Halse, to the Harley Equestrian Centre cafe.
Setting off from East Hunsbury, both groups head out towards Milton Malsor and Caldecote to Greens Norton.
The Moderate group then ride through Blakesley, Adstone and Canons Ashby to the Harley Equestrian Centre at Woodford Halse for our cafe stop (at 20mls). The Brisk group ride through Bradden after Greens Norton, and continue on a less direct route past Slapton, Wappenham, Culworth, Eydon and on to Woodford Halse at 25mls.
Both groups have a bit of a climb early into the return leg, then through Adstone, Pattishall, Gayton and Milton Malsor, back to East Hunsbury.
The weather forecast is a bit cold, so ice may be an issue, but hopefully not; I’ll keep an eye on the forecast.
As usual, it is helpful to the ride leader to book a place on Signup Genius
At 9:27 this morning I thought I was going to be riding on my own but Brian T arrived and, as we were discussing a shorter route to avoid the worst of the weather, John W joined us and so we set off heading towards Guilsborough.
Although the rain had relented when we started towards The Bramptons, the effects of the overnight downpour soon became apparent. The first newly formed ford of the day was on the road between Holdenby and Teeton where the river had burst its banks and we negotiated water which reached our axles and left us all with wet feet. The rain returned as we climbed towards Guilsborough and the roads had their own rivers of water running along and across them. Cottesbrooke brought the next couple of fords, debris on the road and newly formed rivers running off the fields.
John upped his pace through the water and became a yellow hi-vis mark in the distance and as we climbed the hill into Brixworth Brian T’s electric assistance took him clear of me. At our revised stop of the Workhouse, John was talking to some MK riders when we arrived. Whatever he said to them had the desired effect because they left almost immediately so we could recuperate on the sofas they’d been sitting in. John made himself at home, taking off his shoes and making use of the facilities to dry his socks!
As we left the cafe (the Cyclists Flapjack is definitely worth trying!) the sun started to appear, John took the road towards Pitsford and home and Brian T and I finally parted company near to the start point. Thanks to Brian T and John for keeping me company, a bit shorter than we originally planned but an enjoyable morning’s ride.
Northampton CTC are delighted to be able to host a talk by Dr Gary Hill about Bikepacking and SloCro23 at Moulton Community Centre, 7.15pm, 21st February 2024. Booking is essential.
Gary will be bringing along his bike and presenting photographs, taken during his fascinating ride in 2023 through Slovenia and Croatia, to help illustrate his experiences. This promises to be a great evening, very informative and interesting, with an opportunity to interact and to chat with Gary.
The talk will take place at the Community Centre in Moulton on Wednesday 21st of February 2024, starting at 7.15pm.
Entry will be free, and refreshments will be available for a charge.
Anyone is welcome, but it’s going to be a popular evening and spaces are strictly limited, so pre-booking is essential by email (I will confirm receipt and if places are still available).
Brian H is leading Sunday’s ride to Naseby and writes:
Meeting point: Brampton Valley Way, Welford Crossing, NN6 8AA Time: 9.30am Distance: 39.6 miles Pace: Steady Cafe Stop: The World Peace Cafe, Thornby Hall
It’s been at least three weeks since we’ve been to the World Peace Cafe at Thornby Hall, or at least it will be by Sunday, so if we’re going to keep our loyalty points then it’s time to go again. This time it might be the most convoluted route however.
Starting by The Windhover we will head up to Church Brampton and go through the village before a guided tour of the Harlestones. From there it’s the Roman Road past Whilton and across the A5 to Norton. We double back on ourselves as we take in Long Buckby then West Haddon and Guilsborough by the flatter approach before making our way to Thornby at around the 24 mile point.
After topping up our World Peace Cafe Clubcard, the route back takes us into Naseby and down through the Cottesbrooke estate where we turn off and head towards Guilsborough again. After that it’s Teeton, Holdenby and back to the start via Church Brampton.
Brian
As usual, it is very helpful to follow this link to book a place on Signup: Group rides
The best day of this weekend was still a damp drizzly affair on the roads for Philip’s ride to the Bike Bus over the county border in Bedfordshire at Bourne End. I arrived at the start having walked the last two hundred yards with a flat tyre on the new week-old bike! One of my new Maxxis Detonators had clearly detonated! In a flash there was no air in the rear wheel.
First job, work out how the new ‘unfamiliar to me’ Thru Axle in the back wheel is released. Some head scratching between the group managed to separate the wheel from the frame. Whilst I got on with the job of replacing the 32c inner tube, Alex produced a mini electric generator of sorts and kindly made light work of inflating the tyre close to the pressure of the front tyre. It was good to see Miriam riding with us today too. Hartley and Viki would join us again on route swelling the numbers to around a dozen at the Bike Bus.
Finally on our way, we climbed Great Houghton and headed for Salcey Forest on the Quinton Road. The route was typically undulating through Stoke Goldington and Weston Underwood. The rise to Olney and Emberton Park then revealed to us the astonishing level of flooding from the Ouse over the fields adjacent to the park and Philip took the opportunity to stop for a photo at the highest point.
Shortly after, the group split unintentionally only to regroup at the entrance of the park on the main Olney Road as we now headed for Newton Blossomville. More splits occurred, not surprising as this was originally billed as a Brisk/Moderate ride, but everyone arrived at the Bike Bus on their own terms. I arrived alongside Gurj who passed up the opportunity for coffee and cake and continued solo.
As usual the Bus was busy with cyclists, but we were soon served by Grant and his assistant, and we sat outdoors in reasonable temperatures. BrianT was also joined by an ex-colleague who rode back with us for a while after we feasted on superb bakes and fine coffee.
Before leaving, Philip advised us that Sherrington was flooded and we would be taking evasive action by diverting the route to avoid it. Cutting through the Tyringham Estate was another indication of extreme downpours in this area with fast running water directly under the stone bridge. Back on the Newport Pagnell Road, we seemed to fragment again. Alan and I ended up splitting near Preston Deanery whilst Philip returned to the start with just a few of the starters. I’m sure the rest of the group who started out today found their own way home safely.
Thanks to everyone who turned out today and of course to Philip for organising the ride and providing these great photos.
The address of the crematorium is Towcester Road, Milton Malsor, Northampton, NN4 9RN. Details of the crematorium including directions and car parking are here
John Cutler
John Cutler – Obituary for Chronicle & Echo
Cycling club mourns longstanding member and campaigner
Members of cycling club CTC Northampton are mourning the loss of prominent member and cycling campaigner, John Cutler, at the age of 79. John leaves a legacy of cycling infrastructure, the Northampton Cycling Map and ongoing campaigning for better cycling and walking provision.
John, originally a civil engineer engaged in road-building projects, campaigned most of his life for better cycling facilities in town and county. Much of this was done on behalf of the Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC), now called Cycling UK. John brought about important improvements in county cycle routes, was responsible for the first modern Northampton Cycling Map and was a long-time cycle trainer for young people.
“I first came across John when I worked for the County Council,” said CTC Northampton member, Philip Gray. “He was known for monitoring council road schemes and asking the awkward questions about better cycling provision. He knew the government’s cycling design guidelines inside out and never failed to point out when the council was failing to apply them.”
“Later, when I got to know John personally, I realised he was as kind and witty as he was clever,” added Philip.
Philip Ashbourn MK
Phil Ashbourn, a fellow cycle campaigner from Milton Keynes said, “We shall all miss John’s cheerfulness, optimism and continual hope for a better, happier and healthier world where cycling would play a major part. Bonne route, John”.
John was born in Sheep Street, Northampton in 1944. After working around the country as a highways engineer, he settled back in Chapel Brampton, where he brought up six children, all of whom he taught to cycle confidently – later doing the same for his grandchildren.
John saw cycling as good for the environment, health and people’s independence. He was convinced Northampton could have cycling infrastructure just as good as that of Leicester, Oxford or Cambridge. He also believed that roads should be made safe for cyclists and cars to share, rather than always keeping the two apart, which can be expensive and ineffective.
One of John’s achievements was creating the first modern Kettering and Northampton Cycling Maps. Inspired by Cheltenham’s map, which rated all roads according to suitability for cycling, John set out to do the same here. Having obtained some funding, he and a few helpers rode every street in the town to gather information. The resulting maps were published in 2006 and 2009 and the format later taken on by the county council.
John was involved in the Cyclists’ Touring Club (later Cycling UK) for much of his life. Not only an active member of the local group and a county Right to Ride officer, he represented the East Midlands on CTC’s national Council for several years from 2006. From 2003 he was a member and later chair of the Local Access Forum, which advised the county council on access to the countryside.
Away from cycling, John was a keen gardener, raising a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in his Chapel Brampton garden, where he established a wildflower meadow in recent years.
After an active life, John reached the end of his road trip in late January. Taken into hospital in Devon while visiting family, he passed away after a short illness. He is deeply mourned by members of the CTC groups in Northampton, Kettering and Milton Keynes as well as his large family.
Meeting point: Nene Whitewater Centre, Bedford Road, NN4 7AA Time: 9.30am Distance: 45.3 miles Pace: Brisk and Moderate groups Cafe Stop: The Bike Bus, Bourne End
This coming Saturday our ride format is unusual, with two rides following the same route to the Bike Bus at Cranfield (the 25 mile point). It’s hard to plot a route that’s any shorter. However this also should stagger our arrival at the Bus, which is not a huge venue. Hopefully we’ll overlap for a while.
This is a relatively flat route (c 600m climbing) with lots of quiet and attractive roads. Care is needed, however, at the A509 roundabout at Chicheley on the way back. The weather is looking cooler again, but hopefully the week’s rain should have passed by then. It will be worth the ride for the warm welcome at the Bike Bus.
There were ten of us seated around the dining table at the The Old Vicarage earlier today although only around half of that number set off from Sixfields on a cloudy and rain soaked morning. I was sporting a new Merida having just picked it up the day before. This hilly ride would be a test of man and machine!
The Harlestone road wasn’t too busy as we headed out and we soon turned for the Brampton’s and the first rise of the day. Prior to the next elevation at Pitsford, both Milton and Hartley joined the ride with Viki joining a little further on just opposite the entrance to Pitsford Water.
The next dramatic descent at the back of Brixworth led to the long haul upwards towards Spratton. Regrouping at the top, all seemed in order, and we dropped altitude again towards Guilsborough. Roads were muddy, wet, and precarious!
Navigating safely through Cold Ashby, we were soon on the last stretch to Naseby and the vicarage.
At this point we realised Craig wasn’t with us any longer. A quick call to him was made and he explained that he had dropped off during the climb at Spratton and was heading home. His text at the vicarage confirming his safe journey back to Hannington. Gurj joined us just as we were phoning, with the All-Saints church on the horizon followed by JohnW a little later on once we had arrived.
We pressed swiftly on to the vicarage, slightly late for our 11am booking. We were seated in a dining room complete with large round table and roaring log fire. Tea and cakes were then served to us almost as quickly as we could consume them. The hospitality of the two ladies at the vicarage is wonderful and there were still plenty of cakes on the table when we left, none of us able to clear the plates.
Haselbech beckoned at the start of the return journey as we started climbing again. The wind was stronger now on the descent into Cottesbrooke but at least it was flat for a while through the estate. The pack started going their own ways back in Brixworth with just Pete, BrianT and I heading back to the Brampton’s together. An alternative way back through St Crispin’s got us back to the start at Sixfields after a tough ride of nearly 3000ft of elevation in a relatively short distance.
CTC Northampton 