M7 Cycling Club

Forty Fifth Ride: Sunday 20^th January 2008
Routemaster: Doug Freeman
Riders: Doug Freeman, Dave Shuttleworth
Total mileage: 20.28 miles
Average Speed; 10.38 mph
Fastest Speed; the wind

The M2 met at Harbury on an overcast 12c day, with a 17mph wind from the south west. The ride was advertised as 20 miles and hilly. The Routemaster had been worried that he would be Billy no cycling mates, but Dave made M2. The selected route was to the north east of Harbury, and had been carefully planned to ensure that the following M7 ride crossed the 1,000 mile mark.

We set of to Long Itchington via Bascote Heath and Bascote, and then out to Stockton past the Blue Lias and over the A426. At Stockton we turned left onto Station Road, across the canal again at Gibraltar Bridge and on towards Millbank Spinney. We re-crossed the A426, and eventually headed north to Birdingbury. From Birdingbury we followed the lane past Davenport Farm (see winter field with birds), crossed the A423 and left along Leamington Road back into Long Itchington.

We were both now suffering from a caffeine deficiency and so stopped at the Buck and Bell traditional coffee house. Here we were made very welcome by the fine young waitresses and we ordered two cups of espresso. We were some what the fox‘ed by the delicate aroma of the coffee, and so we ordered two more cups. Refreshed, we returned to Harbury via the same route as on the way out but in reverse, well not cycling backwards you understand.

So what are these winter blues? It could be an advertisement for that super band Delta Blues, staring none other than my cycling buddy Dave, plus young Dan Bones and two other blues men. Checkout their gig list http://www.deltabluesband.co.uk/ .

An excellent ride, fine company, refined coffee stop, and cycling is a great way to get rid of those winter blues.

Doug.