So we like, well Andy P and I like, to do the odd off road ride to mix it up at C&D Cycles CC. We drag others along, Andy's uncle Bob and this week Marcus. I put the route together and given it was my ride well you know...I turned up late again! My reason? I was wrapping a desktop Henry Hoover which is my secret Santa (they don't read this blog, the secret is not out!)
The route was nearly ruined at the start as we inexplicably lost Bob in Prologis Park. However we fond him going the wrong way and all was sorted. A lovely ride through to Rushton, up to Desborough and then through those Desborough trails I love so much was the start of it. We enjoyed a dogwalker free run on the Harrington old road, now a tarmac track returning to nature and massive downhill fun. Then it was up that queen of the mountains hill that is Church lane before heading past the Harrington air museum, along the runway used by the carpetbaggers in WWII and the site of nuclear missiles during the cold war and finally down to the Brampton Valley way.
It was filthy out and nowhere was worse than the puddle fest that was the Brampton Valley Way. At Spratton I invented the new sport of bike jousting. I was hoping the picture would make me look magnificent...never mind eh! We carried on down the BVW until Merry Tom Lane and then climbed up to Brixworth. We got lost in the housing estate before making our way across the bypass and round the ressie. Then it was up THAT hill from the causeway, a spin through Scaldwell, onto Mill Lane at Old and then our last bit of off road. Having promised no muddy fields...on the way to Loddington we crossed a muddy field!
Massive thanks to my 3 companions. This was a brilliant ride, my legs were gone by the end but it was a good kind of tired as I rolled back into Rothwell.
I don't know everything that happened but a busy week meant I missed Dean's muddy marvels on Wednesday (not something I give up lightly, it's awesome training,) and I also didn't even do a rollers session! So I needed a ride badly. There was no Saturday ride for C&DCCC but talk of a Sunday scamper peaked my interest. It was freezing cold but as there was no ice on my car and none on my shed that satisfied my rules of riding in the cold. I was also keen to test out my new Northwave winter boots and my not so subtle gilet.
I met up with Andy P, Nat, Ashley, Mark C and Richard G at the shop and I'd like the record to show that I was neither late or the last to arrive! Before setting off the banter started in earnest...this was clearly going to be a good ride!
On the way into Cranford it was clear that in sheltered spots there was some ice still. I went sideways but inexplicably stayed upright and Richard and I joked about my CX skills. It wasn't skill it was luck, as I would later find out! Things got sketchy again into Addington and again on the way to Woodford Mill. I joked to Richard that the sketchiest bit was yet to come and then on the corner between the Mill and Ringstead I hit the deck hard. Amazingly neither my bike, my clothing or I were damaged (I'm a cyclist, that really is my order of priority!) On the way to see if I was okay, Ashley also came down in a heap!
We were a bit shaky at this point and made our way to Raunds for a rethink. We could've come home but stalwarts like Andy P don't give up easy and this gave us all confidence. We worked out which roads would be better and worked it out from there. Between Raunds and Kimbolton it became quite a nice day. Apologies to the residents of Kimbolton as we used the bridge to shield our bladder needs and well you know...we're not quiet are we? I must mention at this point the others realised that Dick is short for Richard and therefore there was two Dicks on this ride...the jokes on this theme came thick and fast!
The big thing to say is that Richard G is anything but a Dick. He was great company on this ride and we even at one point sorted out the whole of Brexit, despite seeing it from opposite points of view. When my legs were completely gone he handed me a gel. Top top bloke!
No trip to this side of the county would be complete without the picture above at Hamerton Zoo. After that my legs completely died. By Clopton Andy P had to shoot off on his own to make a lunch engagement. I was like an anchor to the group but had one thing in my sight. I couldn't keep up but I was on track for an unexpected 100km Fondo...when I say on track, the shortest route home would definitely get me to 100km so I didn't have any choice really. I asked the others to let me just get home at my own pace and I dawdled the last ten miles trying to spin light to avoid cramp. When I got home I pretty much did nothing for a couple of hours...then I check Strava and the ride names were hilarious and the pictures started and well it was great!!!
So far this evening I've caught up on the track cycling from London which was great. Now i'm watching SPOTY. I was made up for England Netball for team of the year and sporting moment of the year. The most deserving SPOTY award ever goes to Gerraint Thomas! G you legend!! Great end to yet another great weekend.
The final word goes to my very good cycling friend Andy P. Andy is on a big challenge raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK. If you can spare a couple of quid this is a very deserving cause and unlike the big hitting cancer charities, needs a lot more money. Sponsor him here https://cycling-down-dementia-2018-the-epic-challenge-1000-miles.everydayhero.com/uk/andrew-6?fbclid=IwAR0AQFpPuiEaohVB4-Yzxr3SXg0ar_kkElP7wgIeTv66FLK4nmi1gq-PM0s
happy pedalling
No comments:
Post a Comment