M7 Cycling Club

Steve’s bike with new pannier bag in readiness for the Isle of Wight adventure and handlebars reset in a more forwards position

The Windmill proudly perched on the hill against the back drop of darkening skies

Sixth Ride; Sunday 9th April
Substitute routemaster: Steve Darby
Riders: Ian Hartland, Steve Darby
Statistics;
Total mileage: 25.3
Average Speed: Pre coffee stop 12.1 mph, post coffee stop 11.8 mph
Fastest Speed: 31.8 (incredibly, this was AFTER the coffee stop!)

The official routemaster, Doug Freeman spent many hours planning the route which was printed out over 8 A4 pages with a variety of notes to aid the group to help them on their way, this included 3 route options depending on age, ability and the will to ride on. Doug handed over the plans to Steve who was to deputise for Doug who was away for the weekend somewhere south.

With many of the M7 club on international duty to celebrate the onset of old age, Steve and Ian became ‘ever presents’ as they set off on ride number 6 – both expect an award of a Blue Peter Badge for their efforts.

We set off from the village hall and headed down Farm Street saluting absent friends as we passed the Freeman’s residence and headed down Treen’s hill, passed the Rugby Club and towards the Fosse Way where we took the Cycle Route to Whitnash.

As we approached Whitnash, Steve remembered to take the second left turning, unfortunately this should have been before reaching the Heathcote Road where in a moment of recklessness, Steve turned right first and then second left taking the team into uncharted territories of a housing estate. Steve said just keep going left and we should be alright - each left turn ended up as a dead end!! We returned to Heathcote Road thinking we should be turning left further along the Road and after another half mile and no left turn, we stopped and checked the map – Ian’s days as a boy scout came to the fore and we retraced our steps, got back en route and stayed on the main road to Bishops Tachbrook.

At Bishops Tachbrook we cut through the village to the A452 where we turned left, cycled a few hundred yards and took a right turn towards Barford. We went passed the Glebe Hotel and recollected the early years of Hereburgh Morris who provided corporate entertainment to visitors from IBM many years ago.

We then turned left onto the A429, cycled for a short distance and then left again at Wasperton Farm and headed up to Oakley Woods. At the top of the hill we took a right turn on the B4087 towards Wellesbourne – we decided that the Whitnash adventure added enough miles for us to take Doug’s recommended middle route so we turned left towards Little Morrell then left again as we headed into Ashorne for a well earned coffee break. We ordered Clifton ‘Coffee’ which was superb – the log fire roared, the landlady asked about our journey and we were served hearty baguettes with a side salad. As we sat supping, the heavens opened and the hail, snow and rain came down, we had another coffee to pass the time!

The skies cleared and we set off out of Ashorne towards the ‘bugger of a Bromson Hill’ – Steve worried his knees wouldn’t make it, the thought of the retirement home at the top became very appealing. Ian spurred on ahead and broke the speed record as he descended down the other side and had to break sharply at the island at the bottom of the hill. We returned via Thwaites Estate with both riders able to climb with ease the final hill at Kingston Barn.

We entered Harbury and said our farewells – a great ride, wonderful coffee – a coffee house to be recommended!

Steve Darby

# posted by M7 Cycling Club @ 6:35 am