Try saying that headline quickly!

After a shocking year for weather during which rain-jackets, leg-warmers and winter gloves were de rigueur,  it was great to meet up for the Sunday social on 6th June with everyone dressed for the sunshine.  Little did most of us know, the ride was to be punctuated by a few heavy summer showers.

With both social and training rides gathering at Sainsbury’s at 9am, cyclists took over – what a great sight – no posing going on there Mr Wong!

Avoiding gravelled roads

With road re-surfacing going on assiduously across the region, we’d tried to pick out a route to minimise the challenge of loose gravel and so the training ride headed out via Warkton and Grafton before looping back through Geddington and on to Desborough.  A small break was required to allow Eddie Smith to join the group after his early morning exertions on a 25 mile TT.

Bus stops and climbs

The second bus stop photo shows some brilliant track stands by the team in black and orange!

Rushton hill and traffic through Desborough started to thin out the group which regathered at the bottom of Great Oxendon climb where the training group met the social group.  The first deluge of the day came as we dropped down from East Farndon – a short and very sharp shower making Andrea Wollcott’s brakes a bit of a challenge.

Always the climb back up to Sibbertoft is a tester – today was no exception.  Unbeknown to us, there was a TT race through Sibbertoft – I think it was avoided as much as possible.

Well earned stop at Naseby

The Old Vicarage in Naseby is always a delight and the display of cakes (soon demolished by ravenous KCC riders) did not let us down this time. Spring maybe late this year but the more artistic and in tune with nature took advantage with a great photo.

As well as collections of flowers and cakes, one avid collector snapped up a catalogue of socks and footwear.  Whether to satisfy a fetish or simple curiosity, the photograph merits display (note only one pair of KCC socks – from yours truly).

As well as collections of flowers and cakes, one avid collector snapped up a catalogue of socks and footwear.  Whether to satisfy a fetish or simple curiosity, the photograph merits display (note only one pair of KCC socks – from yours truly).

See you in a couple of weeks. Andy Parker