Three riders set off as a fast group and two went as a slow group. The rest of us (about 15) went off as a medium group. I think we were fated from the outset, as we managed to get split up in Rothwell but re-grouped near Foxhall after an emergency phone call. Down the road we managed to lose tall Nick and Mijal. We did go back an look for them but without success. Sorry chaps - we really tried to find you.
Even further down the road near Haselbech Arwel had a bit of a tyre pressure crisis. After the application of a few pumps (see photo) the tyre seemed to stay up for the rest of the ride. 
Consequently, we arrived rather late at Cafe Neville when most people had given up and gone home. Still, we had the place to ourselves and the cake was good.

What a miracle - beautiful weather on a Bank Holiday Sunday! We split into three groups, with Nathan, Pete Wilson and Phil Earl going on a fast ride; Eileen and Chris took the slow route and the rest of us bumbled around Cotterstock, Fotheringhay and Kings Cliffe to the cafe stop at Bulwick - about 30 miles. We were joined by James - hopefully a new member, who seemed to have no trouble in keeping up. The 'fast group' rolled in about twenty minutes afterwards and it turned out that Pete had had four punctures. He has now officially asked Phil to rescind the curse. The photo shows delivery of much-needed refreshments.

Another fine morning with a rather Autumnal feel and about 15 riders set off toward our cafe. Had had already ridden from Kings Cliffe, so had about 75 miles to do today, as we were going away from home.
We took the route down through Haselbech toward Cottesbrooke and then through Guilsborough and East Haddon to the cafe, which is attached to a large horse riding stables. The grub was good, so everyone seemed happy.
The return ride went through Teeton and Stratton to Brixworth. When you see a cyclist coming at about 40 mph down the hill that you're about to ride up you know it's going to be steep (and it was). After that a bit of a chain gang formed, which left a few people hanging off the back. Not a good idea if they don't know their way back. Luckily I was there to mop up - perhaps that's my role on return rides. This week's photo is of the group just leaving the cafe.

I think I might have short changed people today, as we arrived at the cafe slightly before 11:00. Never mind, it was a good ride. We were accompanied by Andrew from Telford, who was staying in the area and had emailed me to ask if he could come along on our ride. What a good idea - perhaps more people should do that.
It was a lovely day and we went out via Foxton and Gumley to Mowsley and back through Marston Trussell and East Farndon.
We met up with Eileen and Norman at the cafe stop and were joined, separately, by Peter Nix (looking remarkably fresh after his London-Edinburgh-London epic) and John Dainty on, of course, a single speed.
This week's photo is of Neil enjoying his sausage and caramelised onion roll. Highly recommended apparently (sorry Neil, but I couldn't resist).

My goodness, here we are in August already. A nice sunny start brought out a fair number of riders. Norman and Eileen led the slower group by a direct route while the main ride went to Carlton Curlieu and Billesdon to Tilton, where we took the Halstead road and came into Launde from the Owston direction. That last hill was 17% according to my Garmin.
After the usual excellent cafe stop it was up the hill toward Loddington and we came home through East Norton and Hallaton.
​A hilly ride all round but a very pleasant 42 miles. Here we are (some of us), just about to leave Launde.

Phil Earl started the ride by mentioning the P word which meant, of course, that the demon was stalking us from the outset. Who did he strike? Read on!
We set out on one of my favourite rides - Desborough, Harrington, Kelmarsh and then up 'The Hell of the North' to Naseby. We turned down to Welford and then through South Kilworth to Walcote, where the P demon pounced on Pete Wilson. By then, Phil had left the ride, so wasn't there to receive Pete's thanks. Pete found that his CO2 inflator wasn't working properly, so only had a partially inflated tyre. Has anyone ever managed to get a CO2 inflator to work properly? I've given up on the blasted things and now always carry a frame pump. On we went through Gilmorton and Bruntingthorpe to the cafe stop at Shearsby Lakes. I think the venue must have changed hands but it was still very cheap; £3-50 for tea and cake, compared to £5-80 at Cafe Ventoux (the Ventoux cake is better, though).
On the way home some chap in a 4x4 took umbrage at us being on the road and leant on his horn all the while he passed us (single file). After Kibworth the ride turned into a bit of a race, so we got home in bits and pieces having done about 55 miles.
​The group photo was taken by the cafe proprietor - I'm the short one in the middle (5' 11").

A lovely day to be out riding a bike. It was good to have Pete Wilson along after his DVT episode. We rode out to Barrowden, Morcott and then around in a circle via Wing, across to Seaton and along to Uppingham. According to Pete we usually ride round in circles, anyway. We still managed 40 miles, which was probably enough in this heat and humidity. I forgot to take a photo on the ride, so here is one of us when we arrived back at the club house. Neil looks very determined for some reason - perhaps it was the prospect of riding back up Middleton hill.

It started slightly chilly but soon warmed up for our ride to a new venue at The Paddocks, Flore. We went out through Haselbech (down the hill this time), Guilsborough, Ravensthorpe, East Haddon and through the Bringtons. Chris Sumpter had an explosive puncture (we thought it was a gunshot), so had to turn home with Nick.
The tea room was small but quite a good basic menu. I think we must have been the only customers today.
Neil brought us back through Long Buckby and West Haddon, Cold Ashby, Naseby and then the usual way home though Arthingworth.
A good ride overall, thanks to the weather. We might do it again.
​Here's a photo of us starting out for the journey home.

After having advertised the event for the last 4 months I was rather disappointed with the turnout of older bikes for La Nostalgie. However, I brought my Motobecane, Steve W was on his Hetchins and a new rider, Anne, came on her Raleigh. Richard Daniels met us at Ventoux with his well-used Reynolds. It was fairly lumpy route and we went at quite a gentle pace. Unfortunately, Pete Rowbotham suffered a broken rear gear cable before we got to the last (steepest) hill. I think we all deserved the reward of our preferred tipple when we got there. The 'oldies' were the last to leave, so we all rode back together. A pleasant day, overall.

It was a beautiful warm and sunny day for a ride. Some would say too hot, but it was OK while we were on the move. We were originally supposed to go to the Buddhist Centre at Kelmarsh, but more of that anon. Steve took the leisurely group on a relatively direct route, while we went around Rothwell, Old, Holcot, Pitsford Causeway and Brixworth to Cottesbrook and up the hill into Haselbech. When we arrived at the Buddhist Centre we found it was blasted-well closed, so we went around Arthingworth to Gt Oxendon and on to Waterloo Farm. By the time we got there it felt as though we had earned the coffee and cake. This week's photo shows the bikes taking a well-earned rest in the sun.