Sunday, October 08, 2006
M5 - Urban Cyclists - 7th October 2006
Prof just relaxing
Steve taking on fluids
Dave just being cool
Doug almost manages a smile
Steve warms up
Dave and Ian join in the warm up
Just swanning about
Steve tries to attract a bird
Is it straight on?
A bunch of flowers
Cement works on the horizon 
Ian rings the Ducks
Steve checks the start time of the match
Dave passes his cycling proficiency test
The latte was served without milk
The Long Itchington cigaretteTwentieth Ride; Saturday 7th October
Routemaster; Doug Freeman
Riders: Doug Freeman, Steve Darby, Dave Shuttleworth, Ian Hartland, Pete Johnson
Total mileage: 22.81 miles
Average Speed: 11.02 mph
Fastest Speed: 35 mph (Doug), 37 mph (Ian)
It was a fine 16c autumn day with blue skies, but with a blustery 16mph wind supposedly from the west, but on the ride it appeared to switch to whatever direction we were cycling. The M4 met at Habury village hall for a 1.30pm start and set off via Chapel Street, Mill Street, Binswood End (ensuring we observed the speed limit), down to the Fosse, and along “Pete’s Lane” to Golf Lane, Whitnash. We turned left onto Heathcote Road and then right on Tachbrook Road, and stopped at Prof’s house to ask him out to play. Prof’s dog Woody seemed interested in joining the ride, but was sent back in doors with his tail between his legs.
The M5 urban cyclists headed north along Tachbrook Road, right into Charlotte Street, left into Brunswick Street, and waved to Emma’s flat but Emma was away at Clearwell on a wedding shoot. We crossed the canal into Clemens Street, turning right into the alley by the side of Frettons, waving to Mick who was working, left into Court Street and right along the High Street. We turned left into George Street and then right into New Street, where Doug pointed out, in his opinion, the best proper local pub in Leamington. It is oddly named the Bowling Green, but it is not near Leamington’s famous bowling greens which have an adjacent pub called the Cricketers Arms? Steve declared that he was totally lost and would never find the pub again, so Doug’s cunning plan had worked.
We turned left into Willes Road and then picked up the Sustrans route 41 which runs alongside Newbold Terrace, through Newbold Comyn, before exiting out on Radford Road. Prof declared that he had never ridden this cycleway before; he obviously needs to get out more. We continued on the route 41 along the canal tow path to Butt Bridge, up the dismantled railway to the Welsh Road, across the Fosse past Burnt Heath Farm where we joined Stonebridge Lane. The downhill ride to Long Itchington was an opportunity to clock the fastest speed of the ride, and we all regrouped at the Duck Pond in Long Itchington.
We agreed to shorten Doug’s originally planned route as Dave needed to be back early for a band booking that evening, and Steve wanted to watch England play football? We left Long Itchington on that M7 favourite Collingham Lane, turned right uphill then downhill to Birdingbury Bridge, back along the canal tow path past Stockton Locks, under the bridge by the Blue Lias and finally regrouped at the Two Boats in Long Itchington. The regroup was necessary as Dave had taken a call on his mobile and got behind the pack, and we were not taken aback when Dave suggested we stop for a coffee.
From the Two Boats we returned along the canal to path to Bascote Bridge, through Bascote and Bascote Heath, and back to Harbury past Ufton Fields. We said our farewells by the railway cutting as Dave headed home to Deppers Bridge and Prof returned via Pete’s Lane to Whitnash.
An excellent Saturday afternoon urban ride, wonderful weather, good company, and very strange latte without milk. Steve though should have known better than to head back to watch England.
Doug.
Routemaster; Doug Freeman
Riders: Doug Freeman, Steve Darby, Dave Shuttleworth, Ian Hartland, Pete Johnson
Total mileage: 22.81 miles
Average Speed: 11.02 mph
Fastest Speed: 35 mph (Doug), 37 mph (Ian)
It was a fine 16c autumn day with blue skies, but with a blustery 16mph wind supposedly from the west, but on the ride it appeared to switch to whatever direction we were cycling. The M4 met at Habury village hall for a 1.30pm start and set off via Chapel Street, Mill Street, Binswood End (ensuring we observed the speed limit), down to the Fosse, and along “Pete’s Lane” to Golf Lane, Whitnash. We turned left onto Heathcote Road and then right on Tachbrook Road, and stopped at Prof’s house to ask him out to play. Prof’s dog Woody seemed interested in joining the ride, but was sent back in doors with his tail between his legs.
The M5 urban cyclists headed north along Tachbrook Road, right into Charlotte Street, left into Brunswick Street, and waved to Emma’s flat but Emma was away at Clearwell on a wedding shoot. We crossed the canal into Clemens Street, turning right into the alley by the side of Frettons, waving to Mick who was working, left into Court Street and right along the High Street. We turned left into George Street and then right into New Street, where Doug pointed out, in his opinion, the best proper local pub in Leamington. It is oddly named the Bowling Green, but it is not near Leamington’s famous bowling greens which have an adjacent pub called the Cricketers Arms? Steve declared that he was totally lost and would never find the pub again, so Doug’s cunning plan had worked.
We turned left into Willes Road and then picked up the Sustrans route 41 which runs alongside Newbold Terrace, through Newbold Comyn, before exiting out on Radford Road. Prof declared that he had never ridden this cycleway before; he obviously needs to get out more. We continued on the route 41 along the canal tow path to Butt Bridge, up the dismantled railway to the Welsh Road, across the Fosse past Burnt Heath Farm where we joined Stonebridge Lane. The downhill ride to Long Itchington was an opportunity to clock the fastest speed of the ride, and we all regrouped at the Duck Pond in Long Itchington.
We agreed to shorten Doug’s originally planned route as Dave needed to be back early for a band booking that evening, and Steve wanted to watch England play football? We left Long Itchington on that M7 favourite Collingham Lane, turned right uphill then downhill to Birdingbury Bridge, back along the canal tow path past Stockton Locks, under the bridge by the Blue Lias and finally regrouped at the Two Boats in Long Itchington. The regroup was necessary as Dave had taken a call on his mobile and got behind the pack, and we were not taken aback when Dave suggested we stop for a coffee.
From the Two Boats we returned along the canal to path to Bascote Bridge, through Bascote and Bascote Heath, and back to Harbury past Ufton Fields. We said our farewells by the railway cutting as Dave headed home to Deppers Bridge and Prof returned via Pete’s Lane to Whitnash.
An excellent Saturday afternoon urban ride, wonderful weather, good company, and very strange latte without milk. Steve though should have known better than to head back to watch England.
Doug.
# posted by M7 Cycling Club @ 9:10 am 
