Neil Eason writes . . .
Another sunny and warm September day greeted a mix of 18 G3 and G4 riders. The route through the N Hants lanes provided some stunning vistas, quite a few hills(!) and some notable landmarks including Jane Austen’s house, Ropley Station on the Watercress Line ( our steam buffs/nerds lingered far too long here but it was magic! ), and the Civil War site of the Battle of Cheriton.
The Bucks Head at Meonstoke on the River Meon proved to be an excellent choice although it was noticeable that the first climb after lunch was taken at a somewhat more sedate pace than normal!
Thanks to all who participated in a very enjoyable trip – let’s do it again next year!
Neil
Louise Gagnon writes . . .
The CTC has many long honoured best practices that have stood the test of time.
One of them is that at junctions, each rider should check that there is still another rider following, and, if not, wait at the junction. Makes sense and this is why we have also put this good advice in our Group Riding Guidelines as well (Art.20).
But what if the person in front does not heed this time honoured CTC practice?
Well, an empty junction with many options – such as this one – is what you are likely to find yourself confronted with. Bah, humbug!
Of course, this is a whole lot of no fun, specially if it is a cold winter…
But if it is summer, sunny and 22C, you can always do like the infamous lost 5 riders (all ride leaders as well): enjoy the sun, take a “selfie” and wait for the main pack to come and get you.
A bit of humour and good cheers but please heed the precious CTC time-honoured practice of making sure you are being followed – and make sure to brief new riders as well. Thanks!
Just a reminder that the ride this Wednesday, the 10th, is a combined grade 3 and 4 ride, which means that the pace will that of the 3’s (not that there is really much difference with the 4’s). Neil has devised a wonderful route from Chawton, taking in some very rural roads that we rarely cycle along, passing through Bighton and Cheriton before lunching at Meonstoke, at The Buck’s Head, an excellent country pub. I cannot promise that it will be all downhill back to Chawton after lunch, but the roads should still delight. Whilst this is an “away” (or train assisted ride) it is really easy to get to. You can either travel by train to Alton (I will meet the train and cycle to coffee), or you can drive to Chawton; there is free parking there, but beware, use the far car public car park, not the pub car park, or you may be clamped. Alternatively, grade 4 riders who feel short changed may wish to cycle to Chawton.
Rico will not be leading the Grade 2 ride this week, which starts from Pirbright Green. However, if you can find your way to coffee at Seale Craft Centre, Hilary will meet you there, and lead an appropriate ride if the demand exists.
I’m off on my holidays – so is any registered leader available to lead either or both of the following rides?
If a leader is not available there’s no problem with anyone riding into the beyond as a group, however it will be as a group of adults doing their own thing!.
For 21 Sep (start Godalming, coffee Haslemere) – No volunteers (at 16.9.2014) so please do your own thing and enjoy the ride.
5 Oct (start Guildford, coffee One Forty Cafe, Cranleigh) – Thanks to Brian Ross who’s volunteered to lead this one.
Please call Peter Fennemore on 01483 300689. If I don’t answer, just leave voice mail and I’ll get back to you.
Safe and Happy Cycling
Peter