2014 Cycling

March

Rising Sun, Shackerstone

Eleven riders out despite the early rain. By the time we set off from Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre the rain had ceased but roads were very wet and the cloud cover stayed all day.

We paused at Twycross for our banana break and to ape the famous Twycross PG Tips chimps.

Roll your mousewheel over the photo for a closer look at Grahame Billington, Mick Ayriss, Richard Clark, Ian Bower, Peter Wright, John Muschialli, John Ashworth, Derek Jordan, Dave Parry, Bob Nash, Ben Crossley.

It was trying very hard to rain on the next section of our ride so we hurried on to Shackerstone for lunch.

After refuelling near the Shackerstone steam line, we made tracks back to the cafe at the heritage Centre for coffee and cake for pudding.

White Swan, Harringworth

Ten turned out for the start from Manton. We welcomed new rider Nick Reeves.

Early mist soon cleared for a sunny day. We tackled the hills through Wing, South Luffenham and Barroden on our way to see the viaduct at Harringworth. We had lunch at the White Swan.

Line-up from L to R: Dave Parry, John Muschialli, Ben Crossley, Derek Jordan, John Ashworth, Grahame Billington, Mick Ayriss, Bob Nash, Ian Bower and Nick Reeves.

Today's hilly ride was not ideal for a first outing and Nick found the route was a bit more than expected. But lunch made up for his ordeal; coffee and cake was a bonus.

Brampton Halt

Fourteen riders with a full muster of regulars plus Jan and Helen in practice for their Embers Tour. Nick wasn't put off by last week's trial and completed today's ride.

Seven riders started from Harboro at about 9.30 to meet up with seven from Kelmarsh. So many riders were no problem on this ride because we spread out, travelling at different paces and we were on a traffic free route.

Back row L to R: Nick Reeves, John Ashworth, Bob Nash, Mick Ayriss, Grahame Billington, Derek Jordan, Peter Wright, Richard Clark, Ben Crossley
Front row: Dave Parry, Ian Bower, Jan Muschialli, Helen Ayriss, John Muschialli.

Eight riders explored a bit further into Northampton after lunch so we covered lots of different distances.

This was a ride of four halves. Up gradient into the wind, down grade into the wind and returning upgrade with the wind behind us then blown down back to Harborough to finish with coffee at the Leisure Centre.

Dog and Duck, Shardlow

Nothing but blue skies

We stayed away from the hills again today. Ten riders took to the Cloud Trail from Worthington to Derby so we could press our noses on the Mecian Cycles window. Then off to Shardlow for lunch at the Dog and Duck.

We stayed dry again although rain threatened from time to time. As soon as we arrived back at Worthington there was thunder and it poured with rain as we drove home.