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NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

October 2003

..the earth is not flat..

I left off last time with our weekend run to Woody's top. That trip ended with a sting in its tail on the journey back, when John ran over a large stone and managed to get snake-bites in both tyres. Four punctures for the price of one! Bet you thought you'd got away without that being mentioned, John!

With memories of that trip still fresh and the weather still dry, several of us wanted to repeat the experience before the nights drew in, so, weather permitting, it was agreed to try for a destination in the Peak District. Midweek, and the five day forecast was encouraging, but calls to the hostels revealed that everybody else had the same idea. The Peak District, it seemed, was full, but word was that Ravenstor had a cancellation. Could they fit us in? They could, now all I had to do was see if everyone would put their cycling legs where their mouths were. (Painful...Ed)

Enough of us to make a YHA group did, so the following Saturday we left Newark heading for the hills. This was when I realised why we so rarely go out in that direction. First there are the numerous small towns on the Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire border. Nothing wrong with them except that Saturday is no day to get a group of cyclists through urban traffic. Ray's "I think I know a way round here" diversions notwithstanding!

With that obstacle behind us, we were once again reminded that the earth is not flat. At least, not in Derbyshire! The three mile climb out of Chesterfield was proof that we're spoilt round here in Newark, and although rewarded by an exhilarating drop into Baslow, more hills were the order of the day until we reached our destination. Coming back, I thought the main roads would be more easily graded, which they were, but the traffic after Bakewell took the pleasure out of much of the journey. And I'm already suggesting it would be a good thing to try again next February. Lock me up, somebody, before I carry out the threat!

At Chesterfield en-route to -

Ravenstor Youth Hostel (Photographs Mike Graham)

One thing you may notice is that there aren't any more additional destinations for the Newark rides in the runs list. That's because I've decided we may be better off without a formal list. For a six month trial period anyway. Instead, we'll be running pretty much as the Saturday easy rides already do, with the destination being decided by those turning up on the day. Hopefully, this will enable us to tailor the rides to the conditions and avoid such things as struggling back into a strong headwind, or missing an interesting destination because it was raining on the appointed day. I do intend to keep a 'suggestions list' so we don't always end up going to the old favourites, though. Any suggestions welcome.

Mike Graham

Page updated 16/11/03