Social

April 5
9.00 ride 11 riders set of for on a flattish route to North Hykeham and back via Newark for around 57 miles on bright morning with a cold northerly wind keeping the temperature down. Back in Grantham around 12.15
Nigel, Simon S, Simon C, Phil A. Jacob S, Jacob D, Stricko, Dave O. Stephan, Paul and Tom.
 
9.30 ride Bill Harrison led the steadier ride of just short of 50 miles, with Mike Lewis, Dave Herd and Chris Crawford up to Stapleford woods for a cup of tea and some beans at Orston and home via Casthorpe.

30 March
Riders: Tom and Tony, Peter Pain, Nigel, Dave Strickson, Richard Edwards, Dave Ostler, Macka, young Jake, Matt Pennifold.
The sun shone for a change and the temperature was better despite starting out 1½ hours earlier than usual. After some debate it was decided to head to Bennington, although we never got there and ended up in Newark. Then south on the far side of the Trent and after a brief sprint we stopped for elevenses at Gunthorpe café, sitting outside. On the way home there was a split, with those who had no desire to see Bennington heading straight back with the others fulfilling their objective and getting a few more miles in. As far as I know everyone got back safely and nobody was dropped despite the fairly high pace, approximately 60-70 miles covered.
Never mind the run time – you’re allowed more time as you get older.
Matt Pennifold

9th March
A good turnout of 17 riders knew they were in trouble when Phil (fast legs-slow legs) Etches said how about a "long run lads", but promised a short cut would be available after the cafe at Gunthorpe.
Arriving at the cafe 3 hours and 55 miles later it was obvious the only way to go was straight home through Bottesford and the Vale to give a total distance of just over 70 miles.
The bunch split into several smaller groups on the run back as the pressure went on to get back for Sunday lunch, unless they were just racing of course.
Attendees Phil, Simon S, Paul, Anthony, Jacob S. Jacob D, Simon C, Dave, Nigel, Stefan, Peter P, Peter B, Adrian, Martin, Stricko, Rich E,
Bill Harrison was also out but on a more sensible 40 mile steady ride.

24 February
3 Groups met up at the market place. With a break in the reliabilities Phil thought it was good chance to try his favourite circuit round Tilton on the Hill. Good turn out on a dry but breezy morning.
Jimmy, Tom, Tony, Phil A, Phil E, Matt P, Stricko, Anthony, Simon S, Simon C, Martin, Paul, Ross, Rich E, Jacob D. Peter P.

The route heads out on a rolling road through Belvoir to Melton Mowbray and the group stayed mostly together although a few riders took a shorter route home. Leaving Melton the road became a little more challenging into a stong wind to Tilton before turning with the wind to Oakham. Then a last dash to the Ashwell cafe where Simon and Phil had already arrived to reserve some tables after bravely sacrificing some miles to get there earlier.
A steady ride back until the usual attacks on the road race circuit finish hill just as Phil A. punctured effectively caused the final splits. A maximum distance of 66 miles, as Phil said a good hard 100K.

For the slightly less energetic Bill took Toby on a shorter ride, it would be good to see these becoming a regular option to the main club run, if we could get people to commit to leading?
Also for Off-Road fans Dave O, Paul and Macca headed of in a van to roll around in the mud at Sherwood Pines, at least thats what they claimed.
Route» (pdf)

6 January 2008
Cold Sunny morning brought a good turnout for the first clubrun of the year.
Phil Etches, Phil Atherton, Mat Pennifold, Simon Cocker, Dave Strickson, Stefan Lawrence, Richard & Euan Edwards, Jim Coleman, Tony Mendham, Jacob Doughty, Jacob Storey, Paul and Anthony Conneely, Matt Knockolds, Rob Howbrook, with John Newman forming a slower run.
The terrible Harlaxton road surface claimed the first pucture victim after only 1 mile. Onto the hills around Belvoir castle which were well coated with overnight frost causing quite a bit of twittering but all safely negotiated to drop down Long Clawson and onto Gunthorpe cafe for elevenses.
On the way back the run split with the hard men taking a longer route back via Long Bennington.
The softies opted for the shorter return through Bottesford where unfortunately Tony M found the only bit of Black ice stll existing in the area after 12.00. After quite a heavy touchdown he was able to ride home shaken but not stirred. Hope you are OK Tony.
Total run around 55 to 60 mile depending on whether you were hard or soft.

30th Dec – Club Run
The previous days strong winds had died away leaving a drizzly calm morning.
Phil Etches, Stefan Lawrence, Matt Pennifold, Dave Strickson, Simon Cocker, Tony and Tom Mendham, Mike Wilson, Paul Conneely, Phil Atherton, Jacob Doughty, Jacob Storey, Richard Edwards, Jim Coleman
Flat route, once Somerby Hill had been climbed, circling Sleaford and onto Ruskington Garden centre café, a steady but brisk pace was set, depending on who was on the front.
Back to Grantham via Welbourn and Hough-on-the-Hill for a good 60+ miles, more than enough for some aging legs and its still only December

23rd Dec - Mince Pie / Easy Run
From the high altitude of Bridge End Road the mist had cleared to leave a fine sunny morning as forecast by the BBC earlier in the week. A good turnout of riders for both the usual faster clubrun and the easy ride.
Fearing possible ice on the hilly route to the Old Forge café at Muston it was decided to use the flatter Long Bennington Route. In retrospect this was possibly a mistake as the freezing fog, also as forecast by the BBC the night before, clung to the lower ground making for a pretty cold and miserable ride, with ice forming on leading edges
and eyebrows etc.
But everyone made it to the café eventually, where several social members joined us. Unfortunately the cafe seemed to have forgotten the booking made some weeks ago and they were not really prepared for serving 30 people quickly. Those who found room inside got the promised hot drink and mince pie eventually and had time for a good chat.
With patches of ice still around in shaded areas, return to Grantham for some, was via the canal tow path.
For next year a bigger venue will need to be looked at if we can get the same excellent turnout.

Sunday 16 December
The thought of Christmas shopping ensured a reasonable turnout on a raw but dry morning.
Phil Etches, Adrian Hill, Jim Coleman, Simon Cocker, Tony Mendham, Phil Atherton, Dave Strickson, Paul Conneely, Jacob Storey.

Flat route out to Long Bennington and on to the cafe at Gunthorpe Bridge via Flintham for welcome hot drink and cake. Return to Grantham through the Vale up to Belvoir castle and Woolsthorpe Hill. Total of 55 miles in around 3 hours.

Footnote: we can only hope that Jim Coleman is not too mentally scarred at losing the Granby sprint to big Phil Atherton, time will tell!!

Sunday 9 December.
The heavy overnight rain had just about cleared and 8 members ventured out hoping for the best. Phil Etches, Matt Pennifold, Simon Cocker, Stefan Lawrence, Ian Mackevit, Paul Conneely, Jim Coleman, Rob Howbrook.

Rolling route down to South Witham into the wind then onto Ashwell cafe for a steady 45 to 50 miles.

Sunday 2 December
OK so the forecast was accurate in predicting heavy rain, and a strong cold westerly wind but did this stop Jacob Storey turning out in shorts and one thin top? thus putting all those well dressed senior statesmen who couldn't get out of bed to shame.

A wet and windy ride to a stangely empty Wymondham cafe via Waltham on the Wolds, where the proprietor couldn't quite believe cyclists were actually out and about. However a long cup of coffee later, the skies cleared and blue skies and a back wind saw us home to Grantham.
Jim Coleman, Peter Pain, Tony Mendham, Peter Barnes, Jacob Storey, Simon Cocker all agreed it had been worth the effort, honestly.

Sun 25 November
A good turn out on a bright morning with a brisk cold westerly wind threatening to make it hard work.
Phil Etches, Phil Atherton, Matthew Pennifold, Simon Cocker, Dave Strickson, Ian Mackevit, Paul Conneely, Jim Coleman, Tom Mendham, Jacob Doughty, Chris Johnson, Stefan Lawrence, Patrick Owen and Dave Ostler, set off on a rolling course to Ashwell cafe via Waltham on the Wolds and Whissendine at a brisk pace. Only 7 made it to the cafe thanks to a combination of broken chains, kitchen tiling and partners calling.

Return to Grantham via. South Witham for a total of 50 quite hard miles.

Sun 18 November
After a 1.00 in the morning return from Revolution 18 at Manchester Track and an accurate forecast of the first wet and cold weather of the winter a minimal turnout was expected for the latest Family Run. However huddled in a doorway at the market place were members Peter Pain, Tom and Tony Mendham, John and Christine Hill, Jacob Doughty, Adrian Hill, Simon Cocker, Jimmy Coleman, Ian Makevit, plus newcomers, John Newman, Neil and Paul.
Following a steady run out on the flat to Long Bennington via. Marston there was a split in the ranks as the older wiser members decided it was best to head straight for the Old Forge cafe at Muston and try and warm up a little. Having done so it was back to Grantham via Casthorpe Hill. 35 miles was quite enough on the morning.
Next family run planned for 22nd December details TBA.

Sunday 11 Nov Club Run Report.
Good turnout on breezy mornng with rain threatening.
Phil Etches, Simon Cocker, Patrick Owen, Matt Pennifold, Phil Atherton, Jacon Doughty, Dave Strickson, Jim Coleman, Stefan Lawrence, Chris Crawford,Simon Smith, Dave Ostler + Guest from Newbury, the Wobblies fame is spreading.

On a flattish route toward Newark into the wind, the pace settled down after some early "uneveness" then over the Lincoln ridge to the cafe at the Cranwell on the A17 (£2 tea and cake - bargain)

55 miles in total back just after 1.00, and no one seriously dropped other than those who had to turn of to get home earlier.

4 November
Mountain bike ride proposed at Sherwood Pines meet 9.00 Market place, see Discussion Forum for details.

28 October Clubrun first meet at the winter start time of 9.30. Good turnout after club dinner the night before and very windy conditions with heavy rain threatening.
Phil Etches, Matt Pennifold, Simon Cocker, Stefan Lawrence, Peter Barnes, Jacob Storey, Tom Mendham, Dave Strickson and Jimmy Coleman.
Down to Castle Bytham into the wind then across to Wymondham for tea and cake and then blown back to Grantham 45 miles covered, no one dropped, only Jacob unfortunately puncturing twice and having to head for home early on.

14 October Perfect conditions for the 2nd scheduled social clubun, with Bill Harrison, Jacob Doughty, Josh, Matt Pennifold, Simon, Gill and Peter Cocker taking in a leisurely ride in the sunshine, on a rolling route to the Wymondham café and back. 35 miles covered in around two and a half hours.

16 Sept Witham Wheeler's first social ride took place with the emphasis on riding at a pace that all riders could enjoy.
A total of 12 riders took part, taking in a relatively flat 30 mile circuit round to Hough on the Hill to watch the club Hill Climb and Freewheel championships.