Oxford Meetup Ride 8th October – Canal run
I don’t remember Stoke Bruerne looking this sunny ………… but memories do soften with the passage of time. It was the 2nd Thursday of the month, so time to gently dust of our fine German engineering and top up our tans in sunny Northamptonshire. Weather forecast was optimistic – no Yellow Warnings today, Storm Alex was calming down. At Peartree delicious coffee (FREE!) was served by our ever-generous Social Sec, David T to the intrepid riders from the east – who had successfully navigated foggy mist and lashing rain whilst scaling the heights of High Wycombe.
10.05am – we’re late, time for Ian, Dave and and James to leave the safe shelter of Starbucks and head north.
Up through pretty Islip and across the Badlands towards Ambrosden. Flooded fields to the right of us, riderless cavalry to the left of us and ahead of us deep swamp! Obviously the RT and the K16 cast the waters asunder but much to our surprise Ian’s handsome GS achieved the same feat!
Beyond Marsh Gibbon the roads have dried and somehow without a Bucks pothole in sight, we pick up speed and enjoy a fast clatter towards Buckingham. Nipping to the right we cross busy junctions with the 413/421/422 – felt a bit like collecting trolley bus numbers! On the approach to Thornton the weather remembers its supposed to be a rainy day and an epic rainstorm descends on us.
In the absence of a motorway bridge we find sanctuary under the magnificent dense spreading branches of the fir trees in the former convent of Jesus and Mary. Surely this is a good omen!
Onward to Potterspury by way of Wicken, home of the fabulous wooden forts! Highly recommended by Dave T who enjoys hours of pleasure in his!
This is the saddest part of the journey as Sammy the squirrel throws himself under the back wheel of James’ bike. Clearly chose not to follow the sage’s advice – “Be decisive, right or wrong. The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.”
Arriving at the Super Sausage for a comfort break we are slightly stunned. It is mid-morning and not one motorcycle is to be found in the car park – where are the bold all-weather motorcyclists of yesteryear? Please let me know when you find one 😃. After using the facilities there is probably just enough time for a rapido coffee/tea.
The 2nd part of our ride loops us back past the canal museum at Stoke Bruerne, past the gee-gees at Towcester , and onwards to Silverstone and Stowe.
A warm welcome awaited us at The Red Lion at Little Tingewicke, next to the wartime home of R.A.F. Finmere but now less auspicially of regular car boot sales.
Another successful conclusion to the club’s regular mid-week ride. Uncrowded country roads, good company and riding pleasure. Come and join in when you can.
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