Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
Section

• [February 2008]
• [January 2008]
• [October 2007]
• [September 2007]
• [July 2007]
• [April 2007]
• [February 2007]
• [December 2006]
• [Novemer 2006]
• [August 2006]
• [June 2006]
• [April 2006]
• [March 2006]
• [January 2006]
• November 2005]
• [Eire 2005]
• [August 2005]
• [March 2005]
• [January 2005]
• [November 2004]
• [September 2004]
• [July 2004]
• [May 2004]
• [Mar 2004]
• [Dec 2003]
• [Oct 2003]
• [Aug 2003]
• [Jul 2003]
• [May 2003]
• [March 2003]
• [December 2002]
• [November 2002]
• [August 2002]
• [July 2002
• [May 2002]
• [March 2002]
• [January 2002]
• [November 2001]
• [September 2001]
• [June 2001]
• [May 2001]
  

NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

April 2008

It says something for the state of our Sunday rides that when three of us turned up for the last weekend in February, I thought we had a good number. We were all up for it, though, with nobody only out for the morning or whatever, and a ride to Wymondham was extended to one down to Oakham and then partway round Rutland water. Although the weather wasn't brilliant, it was certainly good enough for a great day out. The next week, I rode with the larger group on the Saturday, when we rode to Rufford Park, before going off on my own on Sunday.

Two weeks later, the Saturday ride reached double figures in numbers (things are a little different here in Newark). On Sunday, I had Steve for company and took him into a strong northerly wind around the 'top' of Lincoln, to find I'd brought the wrong map. As usual in such circumstances, I pretended to know where I was going, and made it up as I went along. Looking at the map afterwards, I didn't do too bad a job, though I say it myself.....

I was away over the bank holiday, though the weather wasn't exactly conducive to cycling with snow falling at times. The Saturday ride, at least, did brave the elements though their journey was perhaps shorter than they might have liked. The next week, Neil and I battled a south-westerly to visit The Plough at Normanton on Soar, a pub I'd discovered during our "Plough month" several years ago, and which has a great garden, going right down to the river. The beer's not bad either!

Last year I commented that we had July's weather in April and vice-versa, and in the last issue, I said that it seemed more like April one weekend in February (are you still with me..?) Well, to even things out April this year has been more like.. er.. February. True to form, the April showers have been there, but the temperatures have felt very wintry.

For the first Sunday, there was only me out, so I investigated the Café at Caenby Corner. We've a week in Holland planned for June, and intend to ride to Hull to catch the ferry. The aforementioned café seemed a logical lunch stop, but on my way to Brandy Wharf in January, I noted that the formerly very derelict looking pub in front of it had been refurbished, and didn't want to arrive with a dozen cyclists to find it now an up-market eaterie not catering for cyclists (smelly and low-spending or otherwise). Fortunately, the transport café was still very much a transport café, and I expect that in June we'll be sharing it with genuine transport drivers, as it'll be a weekday when we do that particular ride.

The following two weeks took the Saturday ride to Muston and Fulbeck, both destinations being chosen to ensure a following wind for the home leg. The Sunday runs were similarly uneventful, the second one in almost continuous drizzle which dampened our spirits somewhat.

Too late for this issue, we're planning a bank holiday weekend in Sheringham for the May Day holiday. That'll be history by the time you read even this, but hopefully it'll make a good start for the next exciting instalment.

Mike Graham

Page updated 06/05/2008