Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
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NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

March 2003

To start on an unhappy note, Newark section members were saddened in February by the death of Ann Jones. Although ill health had curtailed her cycling recently, she had been an active cyclist and, in particular, a supporter of the Rural Rides scheme. Our sincere condolences go out to Brian, and the family, in their time of grief.

Commiserations, too, to Pete Gifford, who had a close encounter of the pothole kind whilst riding an Audax, and ended up in hospital with a broken jaw. It seems only yesterday that Pete started riding again after his previous accident, so this does look like terribly bad luck. He's now back at home and I'm sure all members will wish him a speedy recovery.

Moving on to other cycling activities of the Newark section, as usual, the year started quietly with the first two rides being curtailed by the weather. The third Sunday of January is wassailing at Brandy Wharf and, for the first time for a few years, I didn't make the effort (and it is quite an effort at this time of year!). Perhaps it was the weather, or perhaps the prospect of joining a crowd of forty-and fifty-somethings acting like a bunch of undergraduates is losing its appeal. Pete Robinson did make the effort, despite the almost continuous rain, and reports that the numbers were a bit down this year. In retrospect, maybe I should have gone, as the business is for sale and who knows if the new owner will continue in the current direction. I'm sure some investigative visits will be made later in the year to find out!

January ended with a run to Threekingham, livened up, for me anyway, by the local classic car club choosing the same pub for the lunch stop of their 'Winter' run, whilst February saw Colin and I starting out for Sturton-le-Steeple. Colin had other business in the afternoon and turned back after the morning tea stop, leaving me to ride alone. Arriving at Sturton well before 12, I carried on to Gainsborough, finally stopping for lunch at another Sturton, the one -by-Stow.

The next weekend saw another shortened ride; we were due to go to West Leake but ended up at Cotgrave, a village we'd passed through many a time but never stopped at. Fog greeted us the 16th, though it did clear later. Heading for Burton le Coggles, we stopped for tea at Sedgebrook to find the Top Tourers already in residence. Comparing notes, they were planning a stop at a café we didn't even know existed, despite being right on our 'patch', so this was investigated on the way home. And worth a visit it was, too! (The roman café, on the A52 east of Grantham, if anyone's interested)

Out east the following week, to Martin in Lincolnshire, produced no surprises apart from a lack of the usual westerly wind on the way back. No prizes for guessing it wasn't missed!

Mike Graham

Page updated 11/03/03