More
great runs in January. I remember wishing I had put my shorts on, on one of the
Sunday runs. Our section dinner attracted a similar number to previous years and
a re-presentation of the trophies gave a finishing touch to the evening.
Well what about the future. The runs list is rather complicated with so
many D.A. events, special events, camping weekends, and holiday tours the normal
Sunday runs are few and far between. So you really have to study it carefully
and sort out your own program to make sure you don’t miss something. Family
group runs are also included in one list as a number are either joint runs or
offer a good alternative for easy riders that prefer shorter distances. Picking
out a few of the special events I understand we are having a slide show at the
end of March organised as usual by Phil with tea, coffee and biscuits in the
church hall next to the chip shop on Thringstone Green. Do try and attend
because it is always a good get together for both present and past members.
The Easter tour has mushroomed into almost the whole section and others,
25 members in all, booking for this popular event. Seven units will be on the
campsite, where a special rally field has had to be organised at Milton
Lilbourne just east of Pewsey. Accommodation has been arranged in the next
village, Easton Royal, where we have filled both the small bed and breakfast
guesthouses. A get together meal is trying to be organised in a local pub for
Friday night and a bar-b-cue is going to be attempted on Saturday night, weather
permitting. The cycle runs over the four days will attempt to include all the
many interesting places in the area as possible. Looks like we are all in for a
memorable Easter holiday.
The Anniversary Tea has had to be brought forward one week
to 18th April because of other commitments by the organiser.
Mary once again has arranged for the ladies of Norton-Juxta-Twycross to put this
event on for us and would like everyone to book their tea as soon as possible so
that she has some idea of the numbers to cater for.
After
Easter there are a number of camping weekends, including the Heart of England
rally on the Meriden Service weekend and the
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Starting
back at Easter a record attendance of 25 enjoyed this super area in Wiltshire
with the cycle rides being centred around the Kennet & Avon canal with its
interesting history and fascinating features. The 53rd Anniversary
tea was well attended and our thanks to Mary and friends for organizing this
event for us.
The
wife and myself along with Betty, Howard and Fred shot off to my favourite part
of the world,
We
managed to get back for National Bike Week this year. The enormous attendance at
Martin
(W), Fred and myself jetted off with my mate Hugh for a really cheap holiday in
Slovakia/Poland trying to explore the remote Eastern end of both countries.
Absolutely fabulous with lots of provision made for cyclists and believe it or
not many of the young people we met could speak English, even out there. Whilst
away Roland organized a very successful Audax event with record entries but
there was also bad news that Mary had put herself out of cycling for a few
months with a broken hip and to make matters worse Alex lost his wife a few
weeks later. I must at this point thank all section members who have offered our
oldest active members their help and support during this distressing period.
I
managed to get back for the Presidents ride – thanks Alan for a good day out
even if it was over our patch. I was at the helm for the next two weeks first
riding the full length of the Nutbrook trail down to Trent Lock for tea and then
leading the Rural ride the following Sunday. Good to see Andy out again and
looks as though he could be a regular on Sunday along with Ian who has joined us
quite recently and putting an appearance in most weeks.
Off
a few of us went to the Birthday rides and what a great event this turned out to
be. Not too formal but offered some very interesting rides and managed to find a
few new roads even for me. The campsite surrounded by woods was a superb
location though did involve a bit of walking to the facilities. For saying the
event was in some doubt earlier in the year the organisers had put in a lot of
effort to make the week a real success.
The
last two weeks have seen a visit to the Church End Brewery at
Still
a few more interesting rides to come before winter and the festive season. There
are a couple of rural rides and the family group bus ramble to Buxton that will
have probably already happened by the time you read this. Then we are going to
have a final fling with a camping week in
.
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Continuing from the last report I start with the Mildenhall Rally, one I have avoided or as it turns out, missed due to the Wild Wales Challenge occurring on the same weekend. However the WWC sounded a bit too challenging this year so with a bit of persuasion from the wife we ventured down there with a few other members of the section. A really well organised event that seems to have attracted other events around it or possibly the other way round. I shall think twice about sweating round those Welsh mountain tracks when this event is on offer. Pity no apparent touring rides are included, something that the birthday rides have in their favour.
We
had some interesting rides at the end of August, beginning of September with the
leaders allocated actually leading the run. The one I do recall is meeting up
with the family group at the Shepshed Water Mill, a wonderful development and
extremely interesting. After that the wife and I buzzed off for a month in the
motor home as far as
The
leaders did a good job while I was away, one mention was that Martin showed our
section where the Bubble was, and interestingly enough the café at the Bubble
at Stenson Locks is now open on Sunday’s as well as the pub. May be useful to
other sections. The rough stuff now called the Off Road Challenge did not
attract many of the section although I understand that our secretary managed to
struggle round somehow. The rest of us decided to have another ride round the
southern part of
The
following week Ian managed to avoid leading the run by allowing a fork lift
truck to run over his foot – the extent some of our members will go to get out
of leading a run is absolutely amazing. Hope to see you back on your bike soon
Ian. By a unanimous decision the 11’s was changed to Thornton Garden Centre
rather than Newtown Linford and the ride included the relatively new cycle path
from Ratby to
I
managed to persuade Roland to lead the run the following week and rather than
use the Gate café at Mkt. Bosworth we went to the
But
before such extremes we have the festive season to enjoy. The Carol Service at
Market Bosworth on the 12th, the Mince Pie Run at Belton on the 19th
and do not forget to give me a nod if you are coming to the Hot
Grub Run on the 26th at the Cross Keys at Newbold. Yes we are still
there with a couple of very willing landlords eager to meet us all at 10am for
morning coffee and mince pies/sausage rolls and again at 1pm for Shepherd’s/Veggy
pie. It is going to be very busy in there so grab a plate of food and a seat but
don’t forget to pay me afterwards.
The
other event to remember is the Section’s Annual Dinner/Prize Presentation on
Thursday evening 6th January 2005 at the Queens Head Heather. The
menu will be available shortly so make sure you see me to book a meal – I
shall try to close reservations at the Carol Service so please book early -
seating is limited.
Further ahead is the Section’s Easter holiday, an event that grows in numbers each year. Negotiations are proceeding with a venu at Rhayader in Powys central Wales with the Elan Valley and its reservoirs close by, the Nation Cycle Collection at Llandrindod Wells, and the Royal Welsh Crystal factory in the town itself to mention a few of the attractions.
During the lead up to Christmas we gave two of our local
microbreweries a visit. The Leadmill at Denby is a real spit and sawdust bar in
an old farmyard marked on the map as ‘Park Hall’ in the top right hand
corner of OS Landranger 128 if you care a visit. Leadmill own two pubs as well,
one at
The hot grub run this time fell on Boxing Day, the first time I can remember Boxing Day being on a Sunday officially, in the past it has always been moved to Monday. Shows how times are changing. Could be the last hunt meet on Boxing Day though I hope not. Attendance was down slightly because of this unfortunate clash and in fact in 2005 there is not a Sunday between Christmas Day and New Years Day so I do not know what will happen to this popular event next December. We started the newyear with Brenda, our clubman (woman) of the year, leading a well-attended run on a very cold day. I recall doing a lot of running rather than cycling trying to keep my feet warm.