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NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

May 2003

Where did all the riders go?

You'd have thought that the unseasonably warm weather would have brought the riders out in droves, but turning up on March 9th after a 'week off' I found only the usual suspects in the Market Place. A head wind weakened desire to reach the intended destination of Asfordby, and we stopped at Hose instead, a destination that in turn had been missed out earlier in the year. The Black Horse has been revamped since we last visited it but still serves a good pint. The shortened run enabled us to put the proverbial loop in on the ride home to make the most of the now following wind.

The following week only two turned out and only I made it to the destination of Pleasley in Derbyshire. This ride used to attract a good turnout, where was everyone? Part of the answer to where have all the Newark cyclists gone? Is that they now go out on Saturday instead. Asking starship captain James T Reckless if there had been any exciting developments, he replied that things had been running pretty smoothly and that his was a pint, thanks. Oh, and now the weather has turned cooler, they've gone back to wearing clothes. Ask a silly question.

The end of March saw a 'Club ride' because I'd missed that week from the runs list for some reason. Hearing that there was free admission to some of the attractions in Lincoln, we headed there with the intention of climbing the Cathedral spire, but being a Sunday the Cathedral was being used for church services (who'd have thought it?) so we went on to Cherry Willingham, where, to our disappointment, we found the original village overwhelmed by a rather dismal 60's estate. Back via five mile bridge and the café at Navenby for afternoon tea.

April started with a rather grim run to Grimsthorpe, the wind having turned to the North and the sun making few appearances. By the time I reached the village, my only thought was to get home again, so once again I missed the castle. The following weekend took me to Long Whatton, whilst other commitments over Easter meant I missed the ride that week. Colin, Pete and Joyce turned out and took a short ride.

More traditional April showers greeted us on the last weekend of the month for a ride to South Kyme. I forget the name of the village pub, but I may remember it as the Marie Celeste. On a Sunday these days, it's rare to have the place to yourselves!

May the 4th be with us, and I scoured the indexes on my maps for a destination with a suitable Star Wars connection before realising it was a bank holiday and another 'club ride'. Later I found out that it was the Club 's 125th Anniversary rides, so Pete, Colin and myself headed for Bleasby where a good time was had meeting the rest of the DA and doing a few circuits of the 25 mile course. Thanks to all concerned in the organisation, the rides went very well and seemed to have been enjoyed by all who turned out. My only regrets were that I didn't have time to do another lap, and someone had eaten all the cakes when I finally got back to Bleasby the last time!

Mike Graham

Page updated 09-May-2003 19:46:58