Wednesday, July 05, 2006
M4 Three Counties Independence Ride – 4 July 2006
Escaping the clouds of doom 
It was a hot and sticky evening
I have already riden 20 miles today
Independent Northamptonshire
2 Across. Clear Signs On (anag)
Modern windows in an old property!
Pete's got a brand new bag
Fourteenth Ride; Tuesday 4th July, evening ride
Routemaster; Doug Freeman
Riders: Doug Freeman, Ian Hartland, Dave Shuttleworth, Pete Bones
Total mileage: 24.30 miles
Average Speed: 11.91 mph
Fastest Speed: 33.6 mph (Ian)
The evening ride was due to start from the Village Hall at 6:30pm, but shortly after 5:30pm a thunder storm approached Harbury from the South West. Although we all welcomed the chance that the storm would clear the oppressive heat (30c) of the last few days, lightning does not make for ideal cycling conditions. After a few phone calls and a trip to the Village Hall to ensure nobody had already turned up, we rescheduled the start for 6:45pm.
Three well insulated cyclists arrived at the revised start time, and a phone call was made to Dave who we were meeting at the Great Western at Deppers Bridge. We left Harbury at 06:50pm accompanied by a very light drizzle which soon we left behind; we were determined to out cycle the storm. The routemaster had selected another figure of eight circuit, and although it reused roads and lanes from previous M7 rides, it did have at least 5 miles of virgin M7 tracks.
We met Dave at 07:00pm and sprinted along the B4451 to Bishop’s Itchington, along Hambridge Lane to Knightcote, and Northend Road to Fenny Compton. We seemed to be successfully out pacing the storm, so we raced on in a north easterly direction, crossing the A423 and up the hill to Wormleighton, and eventually the right hand fork in the direction of Lower Boddington. We stopped at Spella House, before heading south to Claydon, where the historian of the ride explained the connection between this location and Independence Day. Apparently on the 4th July 1442, Northamptonshire gained its independence from Warwickshire and the treaty was signed at the very crossroads where Spella House now stands.
We continued on our way to Claydon and noted the difference between Northamptonshire and Warwickshire Ridge and Furrow (see last ride’s report), or was it now Oxfordshire as we had crossed another county border. At the corner of Crossing Lane in Claydon our resident civil engineer had to be restrained when he spotted modern windows in a wonderful old local stone property. We bumped our way down Crossing Lane, and we were now a lot more relaxed that we had out ridden the tropical storm. We crossed the railway line at Claydon Crossing and continued off road. The ordnance survey map clearly marks Poultry Farm along this lane, but your nose soon alerts you to its location… M7’ers only buy free range eggs.
We joined the A423 near Farnborough, and after a very short distance onto Slade Lane, and enjoyed this delightful route back to Fenny Compton. One member had complained that the planned ride was too short, but when offered the Avon Dassett optional loop he declined. From Fenny Compton we retraced out route back to Knightcote, and then took the more direct route back to Bishop’s Itchington and home to Harbury.
We retired to the garden of the Shakespeare for our post ride debriefing and water replenishment. There were three agenda items discussed but as Mr Taylor was taking the minutes they will be lost in the mists of time. Pete (I have already ridden 20 miles today) Bones took great pleasure in showing us his new purchase which has plenty of compartments to lose things in. Following on from the previous ride report and Pete’s excuses for failing to participate in M7 outings, we concluded that all he needs is a source of electricity to spark him into action.
An excellent ride, good company, superb Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire countryside, tackled by a group of intelligent, fit and independent cyclists.
Doug.
