Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
Section

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• [May 2001]
  

NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

May 2002

Now, where was I?

The big Christmas present for cyclists in Newark was the unofficial opening of the first stage of the Newark to Cotham railway path. Unlike most of our cycle facilities, which are poorly designed and largely ignored, this one was well used by both cyclists and pedestrians from the start. It's now been around long enough to have been officially opened by the town's MP and a reporter from the local rag, sorry, the excellent Newark Advertiser, long after it has become one of Newark's better used leisure facilities.

Dank and dismal weather at the start of the year resulted in low turnouts for the club rides. It did brighten up a bit for our traditional bit of early season madness when we visited Brandy Wharf for the wassailing, though the equally traditional strong south-westerly slowed down our return!

Colin Silver and myself represented Newark at the DA weekend at Sherwood Forest YH, renewing acquaintances, and giving me a chance to check out the new hostel. Talking of Youth Hostels I note several of the hostels proposed for closure are in this area. Personally, I think the loss of both Copt Oak and Thurlby will leave a rather large gap in this region.

April saw us visiting Gringley on the Hill, Heckington, and Oakham (yes, another trip to the Grainstore!), though a proposed ride to Stainsby Mill in Derbyshire was rained off. That's being re-invented as a ride to Hardwick Hall for early July. The second Saturday ride of the month almost ended in disaster after a bit of rough-stuff led not only to Stuart's front mudguard being destroyed by the action of a twig in the spokes, but to my frame cracking shortly afterwards! Fortunately the crack was just in front of the rear drop-out and the projection of the drop-out inside the stay prevented the collapse of the frame. The rough-stuff was probably a blessing in disguise as the failure appears to have been due to fatigue so would have occurred sooner or later anyway. If I'd been lucky I'd only have had a longer walk home..

A well supported ride on May 12th took us to the Black Horse at Caythorpe, with its mini-brewery, for lunch, then on to the Workhouse at Southwell. For anyone considering a visit here, we can confirm it's well worth it (and the Black Horse - ed.). The National Trust advise parties to book in advance though, especially at weekends. Although relatively short in distance, this was a most enjoyable ride.

We're now moving towards the season of Rural Rides and, as with the Nottingham sections, Newark section are in the vanguard as far as rides from the town are concerned. Next time, hopefully, I'll be able to add accounts of their success (or otherwise) to the Notes. Until then........

Mike Graham

Page updated 19/02/03