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Gonna bail out - currently stuck under a tree in the middle of a downpour.

Hello Swans,

North easterly wind this week so we head an old favourite - The Barn at Upper Stowe.

The route is a rolling 60 miles round Towcester, see here:

https://www.strava.com/routes/3093868185917050438

Pace will be 18-19mph and the forcast looks rather spiffing so don't forget the sun cream.

See you on Sunday,

James

Hello Stuart,

The top part of Cowpastures Lane (between Whittlebury and the A5) is currently closed, and in fact non-existent, so you cannot take that route. The nearest alternative is to go via Wood Burcote, which is also closed, but there is pedestrian access. I have only used it on the weekend when the workmen are not working, so not 100% sure that it's passable during the week.

Sorry John, have overslept. Won't make it now. 🤦

I'm dropping out chaps, have a good one.

The 'attending' button has disappeared but count me in also.

Just debating whether or not I should put my shorts on for the double figures forcast. 🤔

Or even better, some can join the A ride!

cough @Mark_Roberts @Laurent @luke1809 cough

Hello Swans,

Off to Salcey this week to meet up with the other groups.

Here is the route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3064213700766788492

Good opportunity for B riders to test their legs perhaps...? Can always swap groups after the cafe stop if needs be.

See you Sunday,

James

Sorry James, I'm going to have to bail. Have a good one.

No worries mate.

Not sure that view is compatible with the enjoyment of cycling Tim? 😅

It might be a tad optimistic but I think we can do it everyone has good legs.

Sunday social this week so we shall meet up with the other groups at Brackley Central Cafe in Brackley.

Here is the route:

https://www.strava.com/routes/3052644559393307268

It's pleasantly lumpy so bring your best legs. Pace will be around 17.7mph.

See you Sunday,

James

Hello Swans,

Back to the old favourite of Waterperry for this week's ride. I have planned a gentle loop - 55 miles with a mere 1983ft of climbing. Southerly wind currently so a tailwind for the return, and probably not even any rain. What more could you want?

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3046132346019796642?v2=true

Pace will hopefully be around 18mph.

See you Sunday,

James

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

It has been decided that all club rides will be cancelled on Sunday moring due to the ongoing freeze (forcast is -2/-3 on Saturday night) but the meetup at Claydon House will go ahead with a start time of 11am (drinks and cakes are on the club).

To mark the winter solstice we will be meeting up with the other groups at the Phoenix Kitchen cafe on the Claydon Estate... Did you know that although the 21st is the shortest day, the 18th is the last day of the year with the earliest sunset - the sunset time on the 18th will be 15:51 whereas on the 19th it will be 15:52. This of course entails that the mornings keep getting darker for the time being, and in fact the sunrise will not start getting earlier until the 4th January, by which time we will already have nearly 15 minutes extra light in the evening...!

Anyway, the route is 53 miles and features a pleasant jaunt over Ashendon Hill before the cafe stop. Pace will hopefully be around 18mph.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3035154737090076318

See you Sunday,

James

Howdy John, I don't think you can get through the Leckhampstead hill/Wicken road currently (road works) probably better to turn left into the main part of Leckhampstead and go up towards Lillingstone Lovell.

I will meet you somewhere around the Whittlebury road drag if that's ok.

For this week's ride I thought we might head to The Barn at Upper Stowe - I know everyone enjoys the rolling hills of Northants (nearly) as much as I do.

It's a fairly straightforward loop - out via Evenly meaning that most of the hills come just before the cafe at 32 miles. Weather looks reasonable, just a light SSW wind and still quite mild. Thankfully no frosty start forecast like last week.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3013483634696003156

Pace will be around 18-19mph, please click 'I'm attending' if you are attending. See you Sunday.

James

A Ride to The Old Shed at Charlbury.

A new cafe this week, for me at least. I found it on Google but it looks pretty decent and the reviews are good. Plus there are photos of chickens, donkeys and rabbits, which is always a bonus.

Loop will be a touch over 60 miles to the south east. Terrain is rolling with a tailwind return and the weather a very pleasant 18-21 degrees and mostly cloudy. Pace will be 18/19mph.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2994980569329729094

We will meet at the usual time of 8:45

Hope to see you Sunday,

James

Lets aim for 8am then. Means we should be back around 12 which will be fine.

Hello Swans

I thought we might head back to a lovely stop which Dave first brought to my attention - Cotswold Distillery at Stourton. Yes, it is a distillery and a cafe - what more could you want?

The route is due west and basically an out and back because it's difficult to make a loop without making it quite a bit longer, and it's probably not the best day for that weather wise.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2866953038141708104

Two biggish lumps - one before the cafe and one after, but otherwise it's pretty fast and flat. The good news is that once we have done the 450ft climb immediatley after the cafe then it pretty much 12 miles downhill. Pace will be 18/19mph.

I'm happy to start earlier to avoid the heat if others agree? Could do 7:45 for 8am start perhaps?

Hope to see you sunday.

James

Hey mate, I've noticed a slight error with the route - you've missed the turning for Edge hill just after Temple Herdewyke and gone straight down the B4100 instead...

No problem Adam - hopefully see you tomorrow.

Hello Swans,

F1 this weekend so we shall head in t'other direction and aim for ye olde favourite Waterperry. A slightly circuitous route taking in a few lumps at Waddesdon/Ashendon and then a flatter return via Islip. Pace will be around 18-19mph.

Weather looks decent - sunny intervals, 18 degrees, light easterly wind. Please click 'I'm attending' if you intend to attend.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2976523249674092852

Thanks,

James

Sorry that was meant to be a GPX file that I attached - must have clicked the wrong button. Here is the GPX. For future reference, if you go to the Strava page, you can download a GPX by clicking the button which says 'Export GPX' directly below the ride heading (and above the map).