September fun....before the Winter arrives....

2nd September   ...a tale of three punctures...

Contacted by young Hamish baxter over the road (I went to med School way back when with his Dad! - and he is now a neighbour) about a ride. So we set off on a nice circular route taking us down to Sywell, accross and up through Yelvertoft and home via Market Harborough! In the latter part Hamish punctured 3 timmes and we used up all our tubes...but got home safely
56.4 3h48m @14.8mph 2664ft
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1660128

9th September MACRIDE 2012

Warmer weather & I met up with Michiel at the start for my third time on this well organised ride. No Toby (away) or Thorpy (bike nicked!) this year... Out in the rolling countryside on a slightly flatter course we whizzed around at good pace, overtaking group after group in the sunshine. Perfect cycling weather. Another one to do again.
We passed through Studley & called round at TTT's but he was away!  Never mind a lovely pint was had in Long Marsden (no Hobgoblin but an equally nice pint of IPA) - before a fast wind assisted sprint to the finish!

I'm closing in on 2000 miles in 2012!
58.4 3h34m @16.3mph 2177ft
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1657804

23rd September CYCLE4CYNTHIA
On a slightly cool & grey day with rain in the last few miles I met up with Michiel & we set out on the amended route. This was slightly harder work than the Macride. Sterting in the grounds of Althorpe house we went out past Great Brington Church (rumour has it that this is Diana's final resting place...not the island) & northwards picking up part of my harrington loop route and back via Naseby & Cold Ashby. In West Hadden there was an almighty 'CRACK!!' ...I had a front blow out...the inner tube had split...good thing it didn't happen on a fast descent!  I think it's my first puncture of the year! Good old Continetal FOUR SEASON tyres! The rain steadily increased from then on and we were pretty soggy at the end. Another well organised ride for a great cause. A group were wearing snazzy bespoke CYCLE4CYNTHIA 2013 shirts...Why 2013? I asked...some bugger got the date wrong..me admitted a redfaced cyclist...they'll be good for next year!
49.1 3h9m @15.8mph 3267ft
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1746242

30th September  THE CYCLE SHOW TOUR-RIDE

Michiel was busy so I set out alone to the NEC to do the British Cycling 96k.
Grey & cold...feels like winter is coming...I had missed the group start and got a bit lost trying to get out of the NEC complex. Eventually I set the garmin for Meriden and picked up the route from there. I was interested to see the cross claiming that Meriden is the centre of England...and a magnificent memorial to 'All cyclists killed in WWII'. I paused for a couple of minutes...thinking of how lucky I am.
Then out through Kenilworth (interesting castle) and called in on Toby in Cubbington.

The stretch along the fosse way was into the wind but I soon turned up into Leamington past Whitnah GC and the Leamington FC. Soon I was in warwick looking at the magnificent castle sitting proudly by the river. It's a terrific castle, and not a ruin - a great day out!
The stretch to Henley-in-Arden was into wind and a bit lonely but once I turned north I picked up the wind and some company to stimulate the old legs! Again a bit confused around the NEC but eventually picked up the arrows andfound my car again. For some reason a particularily knackering ride but some great scenery.
57.6m 3h52m @15mph 2466ft
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1719157
TOTAL FOR 2012 (1st 9 months) 1997miles!