The ride on Saturday 11th was certainly a first for me as there were 10 regular members and a record 9 first time riders, a total of 19. An excellent number for a cold February Origami ride.
Bikes in attendance were 7 Bromptons, 4 Airnimal Rhinos, 4 Moultons, 1 Dahon Classic, 1 Specialized Global and 2 mountain trail bikes.
Photograph by Ian and Sue, riders on Sustrans route 52
The ride from Nuneaton into Leicestershire via Sustrans Route 52, criss-crossed both the Ashby Canal and the dismantled Shackerstone railway line. Having kept up a reasonable pace we were able to include an impromptu coffee stop at Sutton Cheney. Market Bosworth was reached by way of the gated road for a sustaining lunch in the Red Lion.
The return ride was via the Battle Field Centre, past the site where Richard III is reputed to have fought his last battle.
On reaching “home” several riders gathered in one of Nuneaton’s hostelries for a well-earned drink.
Here is another Ride Report Saturday 11th February 2006 By Ian Bonner
A ride that was different. I had been invited to join the Origami club
on one of their monthly bike rides. We met at Nuneaton Railway Station
as many arrived by train with their folding bicycles. There were a wide
variety of bicycle makes, some I recognised, Bromptons, Moultons and
Airnimals, and others I was not so familiar with. The one thing that
everyone carried was a smile.
I was introduced as the local CTC representative and also the Sustrans
ranger responsible for the cycle track we were heading for. To join the
cycle track we first had to negotiate the new one-way system, Leicester
Road bridge and Weddington Road. We joined the track after passing
through the kissing gate type device, up the ramp onto the track bed of
the former Ashby and Nuneaton Railway line. This track is part of route
52 of the National Cycle Network, which is partially completed.
Eventually it will link Stratford upon Avon with Coalville and other
associated routes to Rugby, Birmingham and many other places in between.
As we approached the A5 trunk road we passed over a new bridge spanning
a farm access track and into the sub-way under the A5, which allows a
traffic free route onto the quiet lane leading to the village of Higham
on the Hill and beyond. The decorative finger milepost at the A5
includes the destinations of Bosworth (our destination) and Grace Dieu
which had previously puzzled me and my friends until one day we
followed the signs until we found ourselves at the ruins of Grace Dieu
Priory.
We paused at Higham for a quick drink from our water bottles and Chris
a local resident and cycling friend joined us. We passed through the
village and onto Stoke Golding and Daddlington before pausing again at
the canal wharf café at Sutton Cheney. Here we enjoyed coffee,
tea and cakes (a nick name for the CTC) and chatted with a couple of
local cyclists from the village of Fenny Drayton.
We passed through Sutton Cheney and used the gated road to arrive at
Market Bosworth where we enjoyed the hospitality and a good lunch at
the Red Lion. We returned to Nuneaton via Bosworth Water Centre, the
Battle of Bosworth visitor centre and Shenton Station, which is on the
Battlefield Line and operates steam trains to Shakerstone
We arrived back at Nuneaton approximately twenty five miles covered,
some of us joined Trevor and his wife Irene who had organised the ride
for final drink in the Railway Tavern, awaiting trains before
dispersing in different directions. A most enjoyable day, good company
and all the other ingredients for a good day out on my bike.
CTC (Cyclists' Touring Club) is the UK's national organisation for all
cyclists and cycle-users with 70,000 members and affiliates. CTC is the
oldest cycling body in the UK and has represented cyclists since its
formation in 1878. C.T.C. members are covered by insurance with their
membership. CTC campaigns for all cyclists, including children,
families, commuters and travellers and offers free third party
insurance, legal claims advice, touring and technical guidance, route
information and a bi-monthly magazine. For details of all CTC services
visit www.ctc.org.uk
report:
Ian - Thank you for your report - we are pleased you enjoyed your day with the Folding Society
Pictures by Janet and Kevin
The next ride will be on the 11th March starting form Stratford Upon Avon at 10.30. See the events page
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Last updated: 14th Feb 2006