Today’s riders were; N E D________ett; D Orridge; Gemma Scougal; Garry N; Louise Ryde; Joy McQuiggan; Kevin Thomas; Mick Lee; Diana Simpson; Denise Motley; Paul Russell; Matthew Lowe and Paul Bacon. (List as recorded by the riders...)
Having had a brief outline of the first part of the route from Matt we set off for Blyth. For some reason the number of riders in the group was discussed a few times as we couldn’t agree how many of us there were... any number over ten and I’m stumped.
It was a pleasant morning and we travelled along Blyth Road with only the gradients causing small splits in the group from time to time. We gathered at the traffic lights and all managed to get through only to be harassed by a 4x4 which thought it could get past, when it clearly couldn’t and had to wait for the riders it had already passed to get onto the roundabout.
We had the same luck at the two roundabouts in Blyth and continued our journey up the long drag to turn to Carlton in Lindrick off the B6045. After a quick blast (well more of a quiet pootle) along Hundred Acre Lane we turned to Worksop, passing through Wigthorpe. The main A60 is much more fun coming out of Worksop and once again we were a little fragmented but composed ourselves at the Canon traffic lights. Kevin and I, at the back, were now playing a “Guess which way we’re going to turn” game. We made it to one-all when a different topic of conversation took over.
We were caught at the lights in Worksop (always seems the case) and were soon on Sparken Hill (also much more fun going the other way). A quick regroup at the top saw us turning left (Kevin and I wouldn’t have got that one!) and then right before the roundabout up Windmill Lane. Ahhh... it was quiet and almost traffic free. Oh the delights of Clumber and... the surface of Windmill Lane isn’t too bad either. The eagle eyed amongst us saw the side path which speeded up the process of accessing the gate onto the road down to Hardwick Village. Beryl (AKA the Broomwagon mobile facility) was busy but with no queue we were quickly served and seated enjoying hot beverages and cake. During the stop I did query the signature of ‘N E D_______ett’ known to you as Noreen Dunnett. I came to the conclusion that Noreen must be a VIP as she explained she has two signatures. We chatted to a couple of off road riders from Mansfield and all fed and watered made our way back to the road.
We turned right and prepared ourselves for walking across the wooden bridge over the ford – all sensible road riders, not wishing to get wet. Two off road riders approached from our front, they didn’t slow, the first rider made it, as did the second rider. The only difference was the second rider made it on his ‘derriere.’ We heard it, saw it and tried not to say ‘We could have told you so.’ I don’t think I was the only one trying to suppress my mirth. On a more serious note, the guy wasn’t wearing a helmet and was very lucky not to injure himself.
We made our way out of Clumber and had a brief spell on the A614 before turning for Bothamsall. Not a route we use often at all and it was nice for a change. We should have known better. The route was usual into Bothamsall but then we turned left the church down Redhill Lane. Once again, quiet roads, little traffic... we should have known better. Now to be fair, Matt did tell us that the Google van had obviously been down Redhill Lane because you can do its length on street view. Looks, however, can be deceiving and I think that there had perhaps been a few large vehicles down the lane since the pictures were taken. It was a little more rutted than appears in street view photo’s. However, we have become accustomed and we progressed carefully and steadily. We were proceeding carefully and steadily when Diana (Must Behave Eventually) decided to test her sand riding skills and managed to have a wobble and wee fall. It was sandy.... she was fine. We made it to Crookford and being last I’d been volunteered to swing from the suspended tyres. I politely declined due to the constraints of time and a lack of towel.
Back on tarmac we took the bridge over the A1 and headed up the familiar, smoother, tarmac surfaced of Old London Road. After a quick breather in the woods we continued to Babworth and onto the rider’s choice of Mattersey rather than Blyth.
It was the familiar ride home through Ranskill to Serlby where we said ‘bye to Diana and Paul and then onto Harworth where Denise and Mick left us. The rest of us made our way back to the Cricket Club where folks could be heard telling Matt what a super ride it was. “Even the bit off the road was fun,” was heard too!
It was a great ride. Thanks Matt.
Ride leader: Paul Bacon, and also ran: Paul Stephenson, Denise Motley, Helen Hand, Stewart Oades, Mick Lee, Nick Kay, Kerry Wilcockson, Paul Elwell, Martin Crapper, Diana Simpson, Clair Scamell, Christina Cooper.
We wandered and weaved about the car park chatting as we waited, Mick (L) was ready for severe cramps and asthma having the witches mix for both should they be needed. With no decisions to be made - Hobson’s choice as the other rides and riders were someplace else looking for hills. Off we went in twos, well one of us didn’t, but we were happy enough at a leisurely pace. Along to Stripe Road crossroads, right into Harworth and along to Serlby Park. Not much traffic so an easy crossing of the A614 and a lovely bright sunny day. We trundled past Ranskill and turned right twice at Mattersey to take us along the Retford Road and south passed Lound and then the Mattersey Road towards Sutton. We even had an easy crossing of the A620 at Babworth onto the A6420 and no sense of “its going too well” in fact a disaster from a write-up stance!
The Mansfield Road (A6420) took us to the A1 roundabout where we did get a bit spread out but regrouped at the entrance to Clumber. It was at this point that I was asked if that smell was coffee and scones, but with at least a mile to go it was probably fresh mown grass! The roads in Clumber haven’t improved a great deal so there was a fair bit of pointing out pot holes but it kept us busy and when we reached the left turn towards the cafe it got much busier. The build up of traffic took the queue to pay right over the crossroad. We are cyclists and snuck passed the queue without a hint of guilt.
It was sunny and warm enough to sit outside and we ordered our snacks and arranged ourselves around 3 tables. Service was impressive a sausage sandwich arrived (not for me) within seconds of its owner having reached his table. My scone was pretty good too. The waitresses were good too — the photo is in focus!
Mick was about to fall over so you know who held him up for the pricture!
A point too good to miss in any report (and we all missed it on the road) was that our leader got lost and made up the latter part of the road as we went along — fancy admitting that!
We set off expecting a nice easy ride home, we were still inside the Park when I realised I had a screw loose. ….Why is that so funny? Actually it was missing form my left shoe so clipping in wasn’t happening. So a quick stop to whip it off tighten the screw and get going again saw us way behind the main group. But they waited before we reached the A6034 Ollerton Road where we turned right, left down sparked Hill and towards workshop. The group got a little spread out as we sprinted down the hill — or freewheeled in my case but we regrouped opposite the Savoy.
Our route took us passed the new bus station right and then left at the fork onto Gateford Road and then left onto Sandy Lane and were entertained by Nick who had a flat. Like all good mechanics Paul our ride leader took over fixing it whilst Nick distributed fruit pastilles (I think)!
But we soldiered on eventually over the new roundabouts and alongside the canal and left into Rhodesia, then Shireoaks where we turned right onto Shireoaks Common and left onto the rough track towards the A57 which is where the wheel fell off! Figuratively speaking of course. 9 made it to the centre reservation Ok but there was no room for the last 4 (why me Mum?). By the time the way was clear for them to carry on heavy lorries and masses of cars stopped our progress. And not realising this the premier 9 carried on. With no sign of the premier group when our turn came we set off determined to catch up. Fortunately we realised that we had missed the narrow path leading left within a hundred yards and were able to retrace our steps and began to play catchup. Fortunately a couple of riders waited at the gateford road and directed us right. I would otherwise have opted for “left”!
Ashes Park Avenue is a long way along the A6041 when you are thinking “is this the right way?”. But there were people there, Paul B included, so we were saved! The next few miles seemed to be a series of meetings as we slowly met up with the 9. Turning right (no choice really) onto Eddison Park Avenue brought us back to the Carlton Road where we turned left for home. And the way home was via the direct route, Carlton in Lindrick, Langold and Oldcotes before turning down Lindrick Lane and via the duckpond (ok, Mill Dam) and back to the cricket club.
A really good right thanks Paul and at a pace we were all easy with. Just missed all the hills, but maybe next week. Looking forward to it!
Riders: Paul Bacon (ride leader), Nick Kaye, Kevin Thomas, Sue Shore, Martin Crapper, Kerry Wilcockson, Mick Lee, Stuart Oades, Matthew Lowe, Kieran James, Helen Hand and Gareth Harle
There were enough riders at the cricket club for 2 large-ish rides. We, the blue ride, were 13 and set out promptly once the red ride had headed off. Out towards Harworth then Blyth before turning towards Worksop. Apparently a “reverse” route but unless you remembered the original route that meant nothing! The important thing to note was that the weather was good, little wind and warm and sunny although the sun was low and generally in our eyes. The were no disasters only minor hiccups. Kieran paused for a while sorting his new (to him) bike out, Stuart who must have got mud in his cleats at one of the stops and was seen kicking a brick to dislodge said mud. And Sue who had a problem changing gears but benefitted from a chat with Kieran and had no more problems.
We made it through Worksop safely, up Sparken Hill, and into Clumber expecting a lot of visitors.
There were few, but plenty of NT volunteers to make sure we didn’t park on the grass which was pretty well chewed up at the edges. There was even space at the café for us all to sit together inside. Coffee and cakes went down well and before too long we were out and setting off along the limetree avenue and stopping at the entrance arch for a group photo.
There was a bit of wind on the way but not really a problem and we made our way over the A1 and along the B6420 across the A620 Babworth Road and along Sutton Lane to Sutton (of course!) then north to Mattersey and still in a reasonable group. At Mattersey we took the Mattersey Road west towards the outskirts of Ranskill joining the Great North Road for a short time and then turning towards Serlby. Although still a lovely day the sun kept disappearing and the drop in temperature was noticeable. At this point we were down to 12 but happily all was still going well. A couple more vanished along a different route, not into thin air! and the rest of us headed into Tickhill. Three more opted to go straight on as the remaining few turned right to the cricket club.
A short report but a very enjoyable last ride of the year. Thanks everybody and a happy new year to you all.
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