Our numbers were bolstered by latest recruit, David-the-Doors. After seeing our website (yes someone actually reads it!), David had been trying to track us down for a number of weeks. He finally managed to make contact having been given a number by somebody he met in the pub- very apposite for Ampthill Cyclists. Despite getting the full induction from Mick, indications were that he'd
return in the future, unlike countless others who have only managed a single outing.The list of "one hit wonders" is too long to produce here but, like The Crazy World of Arthur Brown See (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOErZuzZpS8) one or two of them do stand out. The reasons for not returning, I'm sure, are many and varied but I think more than their fair share are linked to alcohol. In some cases this is because "serious" cyclists have turned up expecting an 80k training run and have been shocked that we stopped in a pub (the clue's in the strap line!), while others have expected a two wheeled pub crawl and could not cope with the "Bikes" part. One local hod carrier and his mate had obviously spent the afternoon in the pub before joining us. They were last seen somewhere around the Chequers at Millbrook.
Some six or seven years ago we were approached by a guy in the Stone Jug and asked if he could come along the following week. As he was in the pub and had seen that we all liked a glass of beer,it seemed reasonable to think that he'd sussed the level of the club We were delighted that somebody wanted to join us and looked forward to seeing him out with us. I'm not sure who was most shocked when he turned the next Thursday up with wife, teenage daughter & son in tow but it was no surprise when they failed to make a second appearance.
Any way onto the ride. The route was a mixture of regular haunts and some roads less travelled as we set off through Steppingley, past Tingrith to Westoning and on to Harlington. Dropping down Harlington Hill we rode through Barton and on to Higham Gobian, Shillington and Clophill before stopping off at the Stone Jug.
Apart from Mr Hopes stopping the traffic in Barton to avoid having his front light run over, there were few incidents. The pace was brisk and it was pretty evident who had been training for the Addenbrookes run (see below) and who's still in couch potato mode but it looked like the Chairman had been doing some moonlight rides judging by the way he sped up Badger Hill en route to the Old Sun.
BR/Chedge/Clive/Mick/Nick/Gary/Everton/Keith/John/David-the Doors. About 24 miles.
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