Not at work this Saturday so I made an early start in the bright Westoning sunshine with Pete in tow. Can’t remember what he was complaining about this time – blistered feet? - I warned him months ago that playing five-a-side footie is bad for a man of his age.
The plan was an 80 mile ride north to the Northants / Cambridgeshire borders following a painstakingly-plotted GPS route on the lanes as far as possible.
Fortunately conditions were perfect with a light breeze and, thanks to the ban on UK flights, the skies were cloudless and quiet. After an unplanned diversion towards Kempston along the busy and muddy A421 we found quiet dry roads and started making good progress up towards Newton Blossomville and Olney. This was a route we had used in January but a far cry from the frosty temperatures last time. North East of Olney, we breezed through Harrold as the village was woken by a V8 Caterham. Definitely a day for a sports car, but Podington was quiet with no dragster action at the Santa Pod raceway.
We made it over towards Kimbolton via another diversion (I missed a turn but didn’t tell Pete) and stopped for a coffee at Olivers opposite Kimbolton School. 50 miles in 3 hours. We watched a slow motion reversing accident in the High Street while enjoying an excellent bacon butty in the sunshine. Shortly afterwards we turned south to begin the southwards leg of the ride towards Staploe and Roxton. This is when the saddle soreness really kicked in so we paused to watch folks messing about on the River Ouse at Great Barford.
The following section down past Moggerhanger and Hatch was really pleasant, through Ickwell Green with the May Pole and around towards Old Warden. The traffic was light and we did see some aircraft; Sopwith Camels from the Shuttleworth Collection obviously hadn’t been grounded by the ash cloud. At Chicksands Woods we knew we were on the home straight and we had already covered 80 miles, so we stopped to chat to some hardcore downhill MTB experts.
The last few miles were hot but quick, counting down to our revised target distance of 90 miles. Back in Westoning, Pete’s milometer showed 88.5 miles, so I decided to pedal the extra mile back to Harlington to break the 90 mile barrier. I couldn’t bear the thought of Pete taunting me if I didn’t get the proof! 91 miles in about 5.5 hour’s cycling time and 2 sunburnt legs. Nice.
Thanks to Pete for his company again and to my lovely wife for another pink pass (thanks Jaynie xx).
- Paul
The plan was an 80 mile ride north to the Northants / Cambridgeshire borders following a painstakingly-plotted GPS route on the lanes as far as possible.
Fortunately conditions were perfect with a light breeze and, thanks to the ban on UK flights, the skies were cloudless and quiet. After an unplanned diversion towards Kempston along the busy and muddy A421 we found quiet dry roads and started making good progress up towards Newton Blossomville and Olney. This was a route we had used in January but a far cry from the frosty temperatures last time. North East of Olney, we breezed through Harrold as the village was woken by a V8 Caterham. Definitely a day for a sports car, but Podington was quiet with no dragster action at the Santa Pod raceway.
We made it over towards Kimbolton via another diversion (I missed a turn but didn’t tell Pete) and stopped for a coffee at Olivers opposite Kimbolton School. 50 miles in 3 hours. We watched a slow motion reversing accident in the High Street while enjoying an excellent bacon butty in the sunshine. Shortly afterwards we turned south to begin the southwards leg of the ride towards Staploe and Roxton. This is when the saddle soreness really kicked in so we paused to watch folks messing about on the River Ouse at Great Barford.
The following section down past Moggerhanger and Hatch was really pleasant, through Ickwell Green with the May Pole and around towards Old Warden. The traffic was light and we did see some aircraft; Sopwith Camels from the Shuttleworth Collection obviously hadn’t been grounded by the ash cloud. At Chicksands Woods we knew we were on the home straight and we had already covered 80 miles, so we stopped to chat to some hardcore downhill MTB experts.
The last few miles were hot but quick, counting down to our revised target distance of 90 miles. Back in Westoning, Pete’s milometer showed 88.5 miles, so I decided to pedal the extra mile back to Harlington to break the 90 mile barrier. I couldn’t bear the thought of Pete taunting me if I didn’t get the proof! 91 miles in about 5.5 hour’s cycling time and 2 sunburnt legs. Nice.
Thanks to Pete for his company again and to my lovely wife for another pink pass (thanks Jaynie xx).
- Paul
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