Late report on Sunday 19 January ride

Ian M went on this ride, led by Iain D, and writes:

Apologies to Iain D!  I promised to write up a report on his ride to Kelmarsh and then forgot!

A dozen riders gathered at Moulton for Iain’s ride and, once again, he took us on a route that was different from one we had ridden before; and certainly not what any of us were expecting.  That’s always a bonus!

Gathering at Moulton

 We left Moulton along the Pitsford road and then headed up to the reservoir, crossed the dam, and pedalled into Brixworth.  We left that village on the Creaton road before heading into Cottesbrooke, crossing the A5199, and climbing up to Guilsborough.  This was indeed going to be a different route to Kelmarsh!

Next we were off to Cold Ashby before going through Welford and approaching Naseby from the west!  Then we were over and under the A14 – on some lovely smooth tarmac which Iain had deliberately sought out – and into Kelmarsh (and the World Peace Café at the Buddhist Centre) by noon.  In a large group, which constantly re-arranged itself, these twenty-five miles flew by with conversation and banter!

A breather at Cold Ashby

 The café proved up to serving twelve hungry cyclists and showed that we don’t have to have beer with every meal!

We started again after lunch going further north to Arthingworth and signposts for Desborough before turning south through Harrington, crossing the A14 (for the sixth time!), and pedalling through Old, Walgrave and Holcot on our way back to Moulton.  Fifteen miles after lunch.

Thanks to Iain for a well organised route: at this time of year a one-stop ride means we got the mileage in and were home early in the afternoon well before the need for lights.  This could be a model for one or two rides in the summer on occasions when members don’t want to be out all day.  Everyone certainly enjoyed themselves!

And the weather was kind to us too!

The route is here on RideWithGPS.

 

Ride to Kelmarsh – Sunday 19th January

Iain D is leading this ride and writes:

We’ll be heading out to the Buddhist Centre in Kelmarsh on Sunday.  Sadly, their free drink for the New Year offer has ended but their café always has something suitable on the go for hungry cyclists so it will be a pleasure to visit again, I’m sure.

The route out takes us through Brixworth and Cold Ashby and into Welford before ducking back towards Naseby and Kelmarsh. The return leg involves Arthingworth and Old and should bring our mileage for the trip up to around 45 miles. This is a one-stop-only ride after all!

The route is a little contorted, mainly so I can include a couple of my favourite stretches of tarmac – no apologies – but also to give us a shortcut in case of cruddy weather. Which hopefully won’t be the case. I’m hoping Cold Ashby won’t be living up to its name too faithfully either.

Although we should be back well before dark, it would be sensible to bring lights to be seen by.

See you Sunday, 9.30 a.m. in Moulton.  (Outside Moulton Co-operative Store, NN3 7TB)

Ride Report – Sunday 7th April

Brian Tunbridge, our Secretary, led this ride and writes:

Seven riders met at Moulton Co-op for a ride to Braybrooke. Spring must have been in the air as two “best bikes” (Bianchis) were taken out of winter storage. The temperatures were not quite up to normal and there was still snow alongside some of the lanes, but it was sunny and dry.

With a tail wind we set a brisk pace up through Old and Draughton and on to Braybrooke where we crossed the River Jordon before hitting the outskirts of Market Harborough. I’d forgotten just how long the hill up to East Farndon is and that both Clipston and Kelmash each sit on the top of their own hills. However, we made the Nagarjuna Buddhist Centre at Kelmarsh by 11.30am in good time for brunch, only to find at least four other cycling groups had the same idea. Brunch was only coffee and cake with few seats available and we departed for home after only a short stay.

The ride back was into quite a cold breeze which showed that Spring has not yet sprung but it was still good cycling weather.