Having failed miserably to get out last weekend- due to a combination of an excess alcohol, a shortage of sleep and, in one case, an apparent lack of salt in his diet, we thought we'd make an extra effort this week.
Chris, Richard, Brian and John packed the bikes into our cars and headed for the bikers paradise of Aspley Woods.
As we unloaded and made our final checks a lone cyclist approached and asked if he could tag along. Introducing himself as Chris Day, he told us he was local and that his usual crew had gone away for the weekend- He'd be happy to show us some of the less obvious trails, so we welcomed him on board.
The first couple of miles were along familiar tracks, the only threat to safety coming from overgrown gorse bushes. However, body armour and a tricked-out machine should have given a warning of what was to come when Chris D asked if we fancied a bit of technical downhill but after a brief debate we agreed we were up for it. Flicking a switch on his handlebars to drop his saddle, Chris disappeared down a bramble lined gully. Richard & Brian followed, picking a slow but steady path down the partially obscured track. Emboldened by our colleagues' success, John went next, making a confident start but, 10 metres down the trail, his forks bottomed out . He flew over the handlebars, twisting spectacularly in the air before coming to rest in a bed of brambles.
This was the first of four full-on stacks for John. Fortunately nothing more than his pride was hurt but it did serve to remind us that, whilst fast & furious, our regular trails are relatively tame and un-technical.
Having checked that we were all in one piece, CD flicked the switch to reinstate his saddle and set off for the first of several grinding climbs. At least the ascents let the Ampthill crew regain some pride as our bike set-up allowed us to out-climb our guide.
We quickly learned that the sight of CD flicking the switch to drop his saddle was a warning of another hairy descent. Having all managed to master one such beast, albeit at snails pace, the shine was soon taken off the glow of success as two 12 year old BMXers emerged from the same trail.
We began to feel at home as the ups and downs were linked by some great single track and I think CD finally realised that we were not just old gits with bikes beyond our ability. After a roller coaster two hours we returned to the cars, grinning from ear to ear and feeling like we'd completed an epic ride. Incredibly, we'd only ridden about 9 miles- giving John an impressive CIR (Crash Index Rating) of 2.25 or one crash every 2 1/4 miles.
Hopefully we'll be back for more riding (and less falling off) in the near future.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Friday, 24 July 2009
Lashings & Lashings of (not) Ginger Beer- 23rd July
As the Lashings, International Cricket Tourists were playing at Eversholt, we thought we'd ride out that way to have a look at them. (See http://www.lashings.co.uk/ for details).
It was good to see CP back in the saddle after crashing the tandem after the beer festival- Better still, we had the first appearance for some 2 years of Kieth.
Kieth (aka Keith), a regular rider until a couple of years ago, was the unfortunate victim of a typo on the club shirts and the name has stuck ever since (As far as we know, this had nothing to do with his recent absence.)
Six of us ( CP, Kieth, Tom, Brian, Richard B & Chris H) set off into a stiff south westerly breeze and, with impeccable timing, arrived at Eversholt just after stumps. Nevertheless it was an idyllic scene as hundreds of spectators milled around the cricket pitch and pub.
After picking our way through the crowd, we headed out through the deer park and on to Potsgrove where we had a very close encounter with a buzzard. Unlike his cousins in the west country, this one was not interested in attacking us but hovered extremely close as he battled the wind. As we rejoined the A4012 we had a narrow squeak with a Fiat Pander appearing from nowhere at about 80 mph- Can they really go that fast? The second sighting of a buzzard was less spectacular as it lay dead on the verge- apparently wiped out whilst taking carrion off the road. (Perhaps it was mauled by the Panda?)
A fast descent from Milton Bryan brought us back to Eversholt- We decided to avoid the Green Man which was still mobbed by cricket goers and pushed on to the Drovers at Steppingley, via Tingrith. Still more of an Indian restaurant than a pub, they serve a decent pint of Young's, even if it is over chilled, and this must be the only one of our regular stops where we get waiter service.
A siting of a hare in the corn field opposite prompted another discussion about Masquerade and the golden hare of Ampthill Park- Not sure any of us knows much about it really and certainly none of us has read it!
CP, Tom & Kieth set off home. The rest of us headed for the Old Sun where many well oiled cricket fans were spouting total gibberish- Somebody said this made up for some of our absent members, but I couldn't possibly comment.
Approx 22 miles at a (wind affected) average of 14.4 mph.
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=dunstable+st+ampthill&daddr=steppingley+to:eversholt+to:woburn+to:Potsgrove+to:Milton+Bryan+to:eversholt+to:tingrith+to:steppingley+to:ampthill&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=51.97994,-0.56902&sspn=0.178477,0.603561&ie=UTF8&z=11>
It was good to see CP back in the saddle after crashing the tandem after the beer festival- Better still, we had the first appearance for some 2 years of Kieth.
Kieth (aka Keith), a regular rider until a couple of years ago, was the unfortunate victim of a typo on the club shirts and the name has stuck ever since (As far as we know, this had nothing to do with his recent absence.)
Six of us ( CP, Kieth, Tom, Brian, Richard B & Chris H) set off into a stiff south westerly breeze and, with impeccable timing, arrived at Eversholt just after stumps. Nevertheless it was an idyllic scene as hundreds of spectators milled around the cricket pitch and pub.
After picking our way through the crowd, we headed out through the deer park and on to Potsgrove where we had a very close encounter with a buzzard. Unlike his cousins in the west country, this one was not interested in attacking us but hovered extremely close as he battled the wind. As we rejoined the A4012 we had a narrow squeak with a Fiat Pander appearing from nowhere at about 80 mph- Can they really go that fast? The second sighting of a buzzard was less spectacular as it lay dead on the verge- apparently wiped out whilst taking carrion off the road. (Perhaps it was mauled by the Panda?)
A fast descent from Milton Bryan brought us back to Eversholt- We decided to avoid the Green Man which was still mobbed by cricket goers and pushed on to the Drovers at Steppingley, via Tingrith. Still more of an Indian restaurant than a pub, they serve a decent pint of Young's, even if it is over chilled, and this must be the only one of our regular stops where we get waiter service.
A siting of a hare in the corn field opposite prompted another discussion about Masquerade and the golden hare of Ampthill Park- Not sure any of us knows much about it really and certainly none of us has read it!
CP, Tom & Kieth set off home. The rest of us headed for the Old Sun where many well oiled cricket fans were spouting total gibberish- Somebody said this made up for some of our absent members, but I couldn't possibly comment.
Approx 22 miles at a (wind affected) average of 14.4 mph.
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=dunstable+st+ampthill&daddr=steppingley+to:eversholt+to:woburn+to:Potsgrove+to:Milton+Bryan+to:eversholt+to:tingrith+to:steppingley+to:ampthill&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=51.97994,-0.56902&sspn=0.178477,0.603561&ie=UTF8&z=11>
Friday, 17 July 2009
Blunty Heads for the Mountains
One noteable absentee on Thursday was Richard Blunt (Pictured in very fetching hat)
Richard, veteran of a solo ride from Lands End to John O'Groats, was packing his bag and, more importantly, his bike and heading to France for L' Etape du Tour on 20/7.
L'Etape allows keen ( mad?) amateurs to ride a stage of the Tour de France. This year's stage is the 108 miles from Montelimar to the top of Mount Vetoux-
nearly 2000 metres above sea level. To avoid the broom waggon and complete the stage, Richard must ride at an average speed of 12.5 mph, or more. Sounds like nothing until you see the climbs!
It's the second time Blunty's taken part in L'Etape, having completed the 125 miles ( and five category climbs) from Foix to Laundenville in under 10 hours in 2007. We wish him well and look forward to seeing the photos on his return.
Full details of L'Etape can be seen at http://www.etape.org.uk/
Richard, veteran of a solo ride from Lands End to John O'Groats, was packing his bag and, more importantly, his bike and heading to France for L' Etape du Tour on 20/7.
L'Etape allows keen ( mad?) amateurs to ride a stage of the Tour de France. This year's stage is the 108 miles from Montelimar to the top of Mount Vetoux-
nearly 2000 metres above sea level. To avoid the broom waggon and complete the stage, Richard must ride at an average speed of 12.5 mph, or more. Sounds like nothing until you see the climbs!It's the second time Blunty's taken part in L'Etape, having completed the 125 miles ( and five category climbs) from Foix to Laundenville in under 10 hours in 2007. We wish him well and look forward to seeing the photos on his return.
Full details of L'Etape can be seen at http://www.etape.org.uk/
16th July- Card Sharps at the Flitwick Saloon
Despite holidays and work commitments we were a respectable seven (Brian,John, Joe, Everton, Chris H, Mick & Loren) as we headed off for the Wheatsheaf, Flitwick via Ridgmont, Aspley and Woburn.
Although much of the route was familiar, it was probably the first time we'd ridden it this way round: -
Ampthill-Steppingley-Ridgmont-Husborne Crawley-Aspley- Woburn-Eversholt- Tingrith- Flitwick-Ampthill. 23 miles at an average of 14.6 mph.
Joe (the Safety Officer), managed to set off without his helmet and John lost his light outside Redbourne school so, as we re-grouped at the 1-0-1, it seemed like we may be in for an eventful evening. Fortunately this proved not to be the case. Most of the rest of the ride past off without event, although some stupid woman did try to take out Brian and Joe as she reversed out of her drive in Flitwick. They were obviously wearing Harry Potter style invisible cycle shirts.
The Wheatsheaf has been one of our regular stop-offs over the years and, although it looked as though it may have changed hands, we received the usual warm welcome. The locals were a bit worried that we'd come to gatecrash their poker night- they must have thought we were hustlers come to cheat them out matchsticks.
Anyway, we withdrew to the public bar where we enjoyed the Eagle bitter before racing back to the Old Sun- again arriving just before the rain.
Too wet to eat chips outside but Paddy fed Mick & Loren mountains of cottage pie; enough to make Lance Armstrong jealous.
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=dunstable+st+ampthill&daddr=steppingley+to:ridgmont+to:husborne+crawley+to:aspley+guise+to:woburn+to:eversholt+to:tingrith+to:flitwick+to:ampthill&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=51.996931,-0.564079&sspn=0.089205,0.301781&ie=UTF8&z=12>
Although much of the route was familiar, it was probably the first time we'd ridden it this way round: -
Ampthill-Steppingley-Ridgmont-Husborne Crawley-Aspley- Woburn-Eversholt- Tingrith- Flitwick-Ampthill. 23 miles at an average of 14.6 mph.
Joe (the Safety Officer), managed to set off without his helmet and John lost his light outside Redbourne school so, as we re-grouped at the 1-0-1, it seemed like we may be in for an eventful evening. Fortunately this proved not to be the case. Most of the rest of the ride past off without event, although some stupid woman did try to take out Brian and Joe as she reversed out of her drive in Flitwick. They were obviously wearing Harry Potter style invisible cycle shirts.
The Wheatsheaf has been one of our regular stop-offs over the years and, although it looked as though it may have changed hands, we received the usual warm welcome. The locals were a bit worried that we'd come to gatecrash their poker night- they must have thought we were hustlers come to cheat them out matchsticks.
Anyway, we withdrew to the public bar where we enjoyed the Eagle bitter before racing back to the Old Sun- again arriving just before the rain.
Too wet to eat chips outside but Paddy fed Mick & Loren mountains of cottage pie; enough to make Lance Armstrong jealous.
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=dunstable+st+ampthill&daddr=steppingley+to:ridgmont+to:husborne+crawley+to:aspley+guise+to:woburn+to:eversholt+to:tingrith+to:flitwick+to:ampthill&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=51.996931,-0.564079&sspn=0.089205,0.301781&ie=UTF8&z=12>
MTB-Riding With the Big Boys 14/7/09
Whilst we definately claim to be the original, we are certainly not the only group of cyclists to make the Old Sun our base. One other such group ride cross-country, alternating between Tuesdays & Wednesdays. These guys are serious; they ride full-on all year round with a "devil take the hindmost" philosophy that's not for the faint hearted.
We'd heard that they'd split into an "A- Team", for the Unforgiving, and a "B-Team" for the slightly less hard, so Brian, Mick & Chris H decided to go and see what it's all about.
After some debate, it was decided that both groups would head for Chicksands Woods. We set off in a pelaton of 16 bikes, heading out via Maulden & Clophill and skirting the the perimeter of Chicksands military base before arriving, reasonably en masse in the woods.
The early pace was frantic but we managed to keep in the main group, thanks in part to the need to slow as we funnelled though numerous gates.
Once in the woods, we split into two- the A Team going off I know not where ( I heard mention of Hamburger Hill- which I thought was in Vietnam!)
The B Team elected to follow a route well known to us, around the perimeter of the woods, picking up one of the best pieces of single track in the area, before heading back to Ampthill via Maulden Woods, Limbersley Lane and Kings Wood.
Just to underline the full-on nature of the ride, we got a call after about 20 minutes from one of our colleagues. We thought he'd joined the A-Team but he'd stopped to fix two punctures and was riding round the woods looking for us- Fine in bright sunshine but not much fun in the middle of winter- but he didn't seem too bothered.
Synchronicity
As we stopped for a (rare) drink break before crossing the A6, the A-Team emerged from the hedgerow - looking every bit as knackered as the rest of us. It's incredible that after some 18 miles of riding we should end up at the same spot at the same time. There had been a further subdivision in the ranks and an A+ Team of three had headed out to Cardington- (because they could, I assume)
I'm not sure how much of the final few miles was legitimate bridleway but it made for interesting riding. We eventually emerged on the ridge above Houghton House to what would have been breath-taking views, had we had any breath left to take.
A final sprint down Ampthill Hill and through the town saw us arrive back a the Old Sun for much needed sustainance just beofre the heavens opened.
It was a fantastic ride, in great company. Given that we reconned we gave our hosts between 8 and 28 years per man, we thought we did pretty well and awarded ourselves a B+. We'll certainly be back for more in the near future. Thanks to Nick, Steve and the rest of the crew.
Ampthill- Maulden-Clophill-Chicksands-Ampthill- Approx 23 miles off-road in about 2 hrs 20 mins
We'd heard that they'd split into an "A- Team", for the Unforgiving, and a "B-Team" for the slightly less hard, so Brian, Mick & Chris H decided to go and see what it's all about.
After some debate, it was decided that both groups would head for Chicksands Woods. We set off in a pelaton of 16 bikes, heading out via Maulden & Clophill and skirting the the perimeter of Chicksands military base before arriving, reasonably en masse in the woods.
The early pace was frantic but we managed to keep in the main group, thanks in part to the need to slow as we funnelled though numerous gates.
Once in the woods, we split into two- the A Team going off I know not where ( I heard mention of Hamburger Hill- which I thought was in Vietnam!)
The B Team elected to follow a route well known to us, around the perimeter of the woods, picking up one of the best pieces of single track in the area, before heading back to Ampthill via Maulden Woods, Limbersley Lane and Kings Wood.
Just to underline the full-on nature of the ride, we got a call after about 20 minutes from one of our colleagues. We thought he'd joined the A-Team but he'd stopped to fix two punctures and was riding round the woods looking for us- Fine in bright sunshine but not much fun in the middle of winter- but he didn't seem too bothered.
Synchronicity
As we stopped for a (rare) drink break before crossing the A6, the A-Team emerged from the hedgerow - looking every bit as knackered as the rest of us. It's incredible that after some 18 miles of riding we should end up at the same spot at the same time. There had been a further subdivision in the ranks and an A+ Team of three had headed out to Cardington- (because they could, I assume)
I'm not sure how much of the final few miles was legitimate bridleway but it made for interesting riding. We eventually emerged on the ridge above Houghton House to what would have been breath-taking views, had we had any breath left to take.
A final sprint down Ampthill Hill and through the town saw us arrive back a the Old Sun for much needed sustainance just beofre the heavens opened.
It was a fantastic ride, in great company. Given that we reconned we gave our hosts between 8 and 28 years per man, we thought we did pretty well and awarded ourselves a B+. We'll certainly be back for more in the near future. Thanks to Nick, Steve and the rest of the crew.
Ampthill- Maulden-Clophill-Chicksands-Ampthill- Approx 23 miles off-road in about 2 hrs 20 mins
Friday, 10 July 2009
25th June Les Bicyclette et Les Boules
In keeping with tradition there was a hiatus in the cycling calendar as we attended Ampthill Festival Boules competition.
We entered three teams and for the second year running one of them triumphed- Bicyclette Deux beating Whose Round? in a well fought final- Well done Loren, Mick & Everton.
How strange is sport?- Bicyclette Une had comfortably beaten Bicyclette Deux in the round robin but were then soundly thrashed by Whose Round? in the semi final. Not sure what happened to Bicyclette Trois.
Any way, it was a great night- thanks to organiser Duckett of the Queens Head- Some how I seem to have acquired a spare boules so if anybody is missing one give me a shout.
We entered three teams and for the second year running one of them triumphed- Bicyclette Deux beating Whose Round? in a well fought final- Well done Loren, Mick & Everton.
How strange is sport?- Bicyclette Une had comfortably beaten Bicyclette Deux in the round robin but were then soundly thrashed by Whose Round? in the semi final. Not sure what happened to Bicyclette Trois.
Any way, it was a great night- thanks to organiser Duckett of the Queens Head- Some how I seem to have acquired a spare boules so if anybody is missing one give me a shout.
Thursday 2nd July- (Natural) History Lessons
A good turn out for one of the best rides of the year so far- Chris H, Brian, Richard Bu, John, Mick, Clive & Everton (for part at least)
Conditions were hot & steamy as we set off for Cardington via-
Houghton Conquest-Wilstead- Cotton End-Shortstown-Cardington-Cople-Northill-Ickwell- Old Warden-Haynes-Maulden-Ampthill (Aprox 30 miles at 15mph(ish)
This must be some of the most scenic countryside in Bedfordshire and, with the sun shinning and the corn ripening in the fields, we could easily have been in France.
Everton left us at the Shortstown- I think we were too slow for him but it may be that he didn't want to be seen with us by the "real" cyclists taking part in Beds CC time trial.
We stopped at Cardington to see the R101 memorial in the cemetery- Clive giving us a lesson on the crash and why it was filled with hydrogen not helium.
Just up the road we were confronted by a fox in the middle of the lane- obviously on his way to feast on the local free range hens. After a brief stand off he decided to come back when it was quieter. A mile further on and we came under the scrutiny of a little owl in a roadside tree. The delights of the countryside!
After a grind up the escarpment, Clive managed to fall off while stationary at Dead Man's Cross but the rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. Richard had a late burst of energy and led the sprint down Limbersey Lane to the pub.
We stopped for refreshments at The George, Maulden. This was our first visit since the very early days of the club and I doubt we will be dashing back- it was dark & dingy- pretty much like the beer.
Three of us made it back to the Old Sun- too late for the chip shop so Mick went home hungry.
Conditions were hot & steamy as we set off for Cardington via-
Houghton Conquest-Wilstead- Cotton End-Shortstown-Cardington-Cople-Northill-Ickwell- Old Warden-Haynes-Maulden-Ampthill (Aprox 30 miles at 15mph(ish)
This must be some of the most scenic countryside in Bedfordshire and, with the sun shinning and the corn ripening in the fields, we could easily have been in France.
Everton left us at the Shortstown- I think we were too slow for him but it may be that he didn't want to be seen with us by the "real" cyclists taking part in Beds CC time trial.
We stopped at Cardington to see the R101 memorial in the cemetery- Clive giving us a lesson on the crash and why it was filled with hydrogen not helium.
Just up the road we were confronted by a fox in the middle of the lane- obviously on his way to feast on the local free range hens. After a brief stand off he decided to come back when it was quieter. A mile further on and we came under the scrutiny of a little owl in a roadside tree. The delights of the countryside!
After a grind up the escarpment, Clive managed to fall off while stationary at Dead Man's Cross but the rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. Richard had a late burst of energy and led the sprint down Limbersey Lane to the pub.
We stopped for refreshments at The George, Maulden. This was our first visit since the very early days of the club and I doubt we will be dashing back- it was dark & dingy- pretty much like the beer.
Three of us made it back to the Old Sun- too late for the chip shop so Mick went home hungry.
Thursday 9th July-
A smaller crew than we've had for many a week- Chris H, Brian, Loren and Mick- set off under grey skies and in a blustery wind .
The route was something of a rag bag collection of sections from a several regular rides, but all in all it worked well: -
Flitwick-Tingrith-Harlington-Sharpenhoe- Barton- Higham Gobian-Shillington
-Gravenhurst- Clophill- Maulden- Ampthill.
The skies cleared and we rode most of the evening in bright sunshine; completing the 24 miles at an average of 14.6 mph- pretty respectable given the wind.
The Higham Gobian road was closed as a car was being rescued from the ditch but we managed to get round the police roadblock- Mick "charming" the WPC. (Couldn't quite hear what she was shouting!)
A couple of pints of Summer Breeze at the Stone Jug were followed by a mad dash back to the Old Sun for some excellent Adnams and sausage & chips.
A good evening despite the low turn out.
The route was something of a rag bag collection of sections from a several regular rides, but all in all it worked well: -
Flitwick-Tingrith-Harlington-Sharpenhoe- Barton- Higham Gobian-Shillington
-Gravenhurst- Clophill- Maulden- Ampthill.
The skies cleared and we rode most of the evening in bright sunshine; completing the 24 miles at an average of 14.6 mph- pretty respectable given the wind.
The Higham Gobian road was closed as a car was being rescued from the ditch but we managed to get round the police roadblock- Mick "charming" the WPC. (Couldn't quite hear what she was shouting!)
A couple of pints of Summer Breeze at the Stone Jug were followed by a mad dash back to the Old Sun for some excellent Adnams and sausage & chips.
A good evening despite the low turn out.
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