Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
Section

NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

December 2002

The winter now arriving.

..was delayed due to knock-on delays from a late autumn (see the last episode if you need the details). But it certainly made up for it when it arrived. To lull us into a false sense of security, November started with a fine, dry Sunday, which coincided with a relatively short run to the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society open day at North Hykeham. Not everybody's cup of tea, I suppose, (Transport-related attractions are perhaps my 'thing' so alternative suggestions are welcomed) but a reasonable turnout none the less, and an extended run on the way back to make the most of the fine weather.

The next week, what was to become a familiar leaden sky greeted me when I got up. More in hope than expectation I had breakfast, to be disturbed by Colin ringing me to tell me he wasn't coming out; a call I'd hear a few more times over the following weeks. That day it did brighten up later so I did the planned ride to Billinghay on my own, getting home just after dark. Been there, done that, too cold for the T-shirt.

Another half-decent day the following week saw three of us out for a ride to Plumtree. We arrived just before 12 and decided to put a loop in, something we've not done for a while, getting as far as Bunny before stopping for lunch. To end the month, Pete R and myself rode out to Skillington. Seeing a Bateman's sign on one of the village pubs, Pete decided that would be our lunch stop, only to find that that particular brew was 'off'.

Oh dear, anyone would think it was December, and another wet start to the day. Once again, it brightened up later, giving me enough time to do the ride to Cottam, turn round in the pub car park, and go home again. Perhaps I should take up watching daytime TV instead.

You know what comes next, yes, that prelude to the annual season of assault on the digestive system, the club Christmas lunch. But not before the Saturday ride, usually renowned for it's preference for dry weather, rode to Southwell and got thoroughly wet in the process. (I wasn't on this one, is this the dreaded Schadenfreude?) Despite a few absences, (including John P who flew to Kenya a few days after the terrorist attack) a goodly sized party went for a short morning ride before heading for the Malt Shovel for the usual excellent lunch.

More precipitation prevented prolonged pedalling the next week; not surprisingly nobody else turned up in the market place and even I only got as far as Coddington before deciding I'd had enough. Time to sort out those odd jobs around the house and wrap up those Christmas presents.

The Sunday before Christmas is traditionally the Mince Pie Run to Belton but for the first time in some years, nobody from Newark went (Unless anyone knows different!) Once again, poor weather, and other commitments, were the reason, though Pete R and myself did get out in the morning. Lots of streams and ditches overflowing from the previous night's rain provided a talking point (Did the Soar break its banks at Zouch, I wonder?) but only one unscheduled ford was encountered. Oh joy, wet feet again...

Mike Graham

Page updated 19/02/03