Weekly Roundup, What's On & Bits and Pieces

Evans Cycles, Cheltenham, start of the ride

On Sunday 4th October 2015, Peter C and Karen took part in the Evans Cycles Ride It Cheltenham Sportive.

They opted for the medium route and with the ride to and from the event, clocked up 70 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing. This involved ascents of Cleeve Hill, as they left the town and Sudeley Hill out of Winchcombe, past Sudeley Castle.

Peter suspects that Sudeley Hill was one which Mike G would enjoy.

Highlights were the glorious views on such a lovely day and riding through the heather fields at Snowshill. 

There were two feed stations with High 5 products, bananas, flapjacks, cake, peanuts and jelly beans, with no limit as to how much you could take.

The level of difficulty for this ride was scored by Evans Cycles as 4/5, and so definitely at the tougher end of the scale. Well done both of you!

Peter C has also reminded me that Evans Cycles Ride It series comes to Wiltshire on Sunday 25th October 2015.

Starting at Lackham College, Lacock this one merits 3/5 and according to the organisers, is predominantly undulating countryside with a few hills along the way. It promises to take in some of the best landmarks in the area, including the famous Wiltshire White Horses and Hackpen Hill. The Vale of Pewsey and the Marlborough Downs will provide an array of classic Southern English scenery. How tempting does that sound?

Entry for the 34, 62 and 80 mile courses is £18.50 in advance or £20 on the day.

Further details can be found here.

The control at the Anchor Inn, Epney, Gloucestershire

Switching from sportives to audax, the 2016 Jack and Grace Cotton Memorial 100km will take place on Saturday 23rd January. Starting from Aztec West, Bristol it's an easy one to reach whether you're cycling or driving to the start.

Entries open on 14th November 2014. It's a very popular event, so be ready if you want to take part. Three members; Des M, George and me did last year. I reviewed the ride on the blog.

The link to enter is here.

I've always been wary of advertising what might be deemed as rival attractions to club rides and in particular the Saturday club run for fear of diluting them. After discussion with Howard, who rightly pointed out that participation in events away from MCCC such as sportives and audaxes, is very much a normal part of a cycling club's life, I now do so with a clear conscience. It's also a measure of how much we've grown, now that the absence of a few members has little or no impact.

The deadline for submission for the next edition of Boots & Spurs is 30th November 2015. Inclusion in the Section News means that we do our bit. It's just a shame that more of the branches don't contribute. I've got a fair idea of the notable events that individual members have taken part in, as well as our club activities, but there's bound to be some that I've missed. Please can you let me know via email by 14th November if there's something that you've done which you think is worthy of inclusion and just as important, anything that someone else has done. We're limited to 250 words, but we can still pack plenty in.

The Chippenham Pit Stop, Draycot Cerne

And finally, my top tip cafe this week, which makes it a sort of 'top tip pit stop' is just off of junction 17 of the M4 Motorway, on the opposite side of the road to the Recycling Centre.

Actually, it's another of my wife's. I wasn't going to mention that. People might talk if they knew she was hanging out at a transport cafe.

If you're still reading this after a less than glamorous introduction, I promise you won't be disappointed.

The Pit Stop might have started life as a trucker's stop and whilst it has become a firm favourite with passing lorry drivers, it's doors are well and truly open to all. If you're thinking greasy spoon, then you'd be wrong. The atmosphere inside is clean and fresh. Bread, rolls and teacakes are supplied by the renowned Hobbs House Bakery and desserts come accompanied by Marshfield Ice Cream.  They serve everything from breakfasts, lighter bites, mains and desserts. The prices are very reasonable too. For example, locally reared sausage of the day, mash and fresh seasonal vegetables is only £6.95. Homemade cake costs £1.50 a slice.

Restaurant opening hours are Monday to Friday 6.00am to 9.30pm, Saturday 8.00am to 2.30pm and Sunday 9.00am to 12.00pm.

Last, but by no means least, a few words from Mike, on the club's first Sunday lunch family ride:

" Anita and I duly applied ourselves and rode to Malmesbury Town Hall for 11am! However being the only ones to show . It was mutually decided on a longer ride. So despite my immediate route mismanagement, we set off for Oaksey and Somerford Keynes ( coffee and cake break) at the Sculpture Park.
Not as it transpired a good choice.

However our route home again via Oaksey was enhanced albeit briefly with the company of Simon and Des on a sneaky miles outing!

Still it all turned out well.

Ta Anita for the company!


Mad MikeG "