Ride report – Saturday 23rd April

Brian, our Secretary, went on this ride led by Iain D, our chair, and writes (in poetical mood):

It was good to see ten riders assembled outside the Co-op in Moulton.  Despite the glorious sunny morning there was a distinct absence of shorts given the cool wind.  This was both St George’s Day and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.  As we had a Welsh ride leader, with a Scottish actor on board, the rest of the group showed great restraint in not shouting as we left Moulton:

Straining upon the start.  The game’s afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry “God for Harry, England, and Saint George!” (Henry V)

The plan was to ride to Holcot as a group and then let riders decide how to group to continue.  We easily agreed three groups: Brisk (3), Steady (3) and Moderate (4).

We had been promised some hills en route which we duly encountered.  Most were down then up as we dropped into the many river valleys around this part of Northamptonshire, with fast descents giving a bit of help on the ‘up’.  We soon navigated Hannington, Pytchley, Broughton and on to Great Cransley.  The entrance to Green Trunks Garden Centre for the café stop was well hidden down a gravel track.  Although the restaurant was being refurbished we were given a warm welcome and some “cyclist-size” mugs of tea.
Suitably refreshed we continued in our three groups to Loddington and on to Orton where we turned for home.

Up until now we had been riding into a somewhat icy, northerly wind.  But all this changed as we rode on with a tail wind, sun and blue skies.  We sailed along quiet roads (some single track) via Mawsley and Old to Brixworth, then back to Holcot across the reservoir and on to Moulton.  Given the opportunity for some short cuts, all three groups managed to meet up at Moulton within 10 minutes or so at the end.

Suitably dressed it was a great morning for a ride. Thanks to Iain for planning the route and leading the charge.

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Brisk ride – Saturday 7th June

Iain D, our Rides Secretary, is leading this ride and writes:

This Saturday we’ll be heading out on a brisk(-ish) 30*-miler with plenty of ups and downs but nothing too long or sharp for a Saturday morning.

We’ll head north from Moulton, duck across the Pitsford causeway then head across to Old before the long, gentle descent into Loddington, some hill work across to Broughton, Pytchley and Little Harrowden then a slightly flatter stretch back to the Beckworth Emporium (at 26 miles) for a comfort stop and an espresso (or drink of your choice). Then it’s straight back to Moulton.

There is nothing overly taxing on the route but there is plenty of up and down to keep the legs turning. It’s all tarmac so I intend to be back home in time for lunch!

*28 miles if we take the shortcut at Loddington, less another mile if we avoid Walgrave (which we may do if the roads are wet).