M7 Cycling Club

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, or Hyacinthoides hispanica, or Hyacinthoides x massartiana?

Thirty Second Ride; Thursday 26th April 2007
Routemaster; Doug Freeman
Riders: Doug Freeman, Ian Hartland, Sue Hartland, Pete Bones, Liz Bones, Peter McDonald, Val Evans, Rosemary Harley
Total mileage: 14.93 miles (13.5 for the shorter route through Thwaites)
Average Speed: 9.96 mph
Fastest Speed: 28 mph

The M6 met at Harbury Village Hall for a 7pm start on cloudy slightly windy evening, 12c with a 12mph wind from the north. This was our first evening cycle ride with an advertised two options; an inner loop of 10 miles and an outer loop of 15 miles. As we headed out towards Chesterton we gained two more cyclists, Pete & Liz, and so became the M8.

Rosemary, an M7 virgin, had been concerned about her ability to keep up with the rest of us, but as she whizzed down past Chesterton Windmill it became obvious that it would be us that would have problems keeping up with her. We had a regroup at the top of Bronson Hill, and Doug foolishly cycled up the hill twice as he checked that our two back markers had not taken a massive shortcut.

We turned left at the crossroads before Ashorne, and regrouped in Morten Morrell at the corner of Brook Lane. Everybody was enjoying the spring evening and were blissfully unaware of the undulating route ahead. We crossed the Fosse and tackled the hills on the way in and out of Lighthorne. We crossed the B4100 and cruised on to Chesterton and through Thwaites Estate. Peter McD and Doug decided on an extra loop through Thwaites via Kingston Farm, and everybody regrouped at the Five Ways exit from Thwaites.

We said farewell to Peter McD who headed home, and the rest of the team returned via Bush Heath Lane and decided to stop for cocoa with Rosemary at the old new tea rooms. There was a ladies dart match in progress as we sat by the warmth of the TV and drank our bedtime drinks.

An enjoyable first evening cycle ride of 2007, excellent company, warming cocoa, and no complaints about the distance or the hills.

Doug.