This weeks Sunday Social ride was a dual route ride out to allow new members and newbees to group riding to join in our club activities in our steady group, with the rest of attendees, splitting into the paced and steady groups of six as per the covid guidelines.

Group 1 by Mike Castelete

On the weekend of Halloween

Our Group 1 club ride unfortunately lived up to the horrors that cycling can sometimes endure.

Our coven of cyclists this week was led by Andy Parker, with Ondrej Humplik, Steve Webster, Andréa Woolcott, Darren Gillings and myself, Mike Castelete in tow.

Starting off in wet and very windy conditions we headed towards Pytchley, sucking up a headwind between Little Harrowden and Mears Ashby. At this point our ride was going smoothly except for the leg sapping wind.

Rabbit hopscotch

We reached the outskirts of Great Doddington in good time but as we headed across the Hardwater Lane, an inconsiderate rabbit decided to play hopscotch in front of us, causing 3 of our group to hit the deck. Coming off worse was Andy Parker, who suffered concussion, cuts and bruises. Ondrej and Darren were less hurt but still suffered cuts, bruises and road rash.

Modern tech

With Andy in need of urgent care, the ambulance arrived in quick time to take care of him. Ondrej’s wife Monika also got an automated alert thanks to some modern tech on his Garmin. The four of us remaining decided to cut our ride short and reroute ourselves back to Kettering via Rushden.

I briefly saw Andy in the afternoon after he’d returned from hospital, and I’m pleased to say that he was doing ok, other than the obvious abrasions and exhaustion. We all wish him well and hope to see him back on the bike soon.

Act of kindness

A big shout out to Amy, a passer-by who witnessed the incident and offered to transport Andy’s bike to my parents in Wellingborough. This act of kindness was greatly recieved and appreciated.

Best wishes and safe solo riding through the short lockdown period and see you all in December.

Group 2 by Marcus Buksh

Thank you Andy Parker for this weeks route, taking us out for the coffee and cake stop at Woodford Mill.

Drizzle doesn’t deter riders

A light drizzle greeted the social KCC riders  who turned up for this week’s steady club ride, with the paced group setting off early which left my group of five which headed north-east from Kettering, warming the legs up with an ascent of Warkton Hill.

Turning into the wind

The sky brightened as we continued through Grafton Underwood and Brigstock, enjoying a healthy tailwind which carried us all the way to Oundle. We were then punished by the same wind on the return leg through Stoke Doyle and Aldwinckle to Islip, where guest rider Keith Edwards peeled off to take a direct route home.

Well earned coffee stop

The remaining four (Marcus and Lucas Buksh, Michael Dobbs and debutant Phil Scott) continued south via Denford to Ringstead, stopping for a well-earned coffee and cake at Woodford Mill.

Homeward

Weather stayed dry, but by the time we restarted the wind had conspired to swing round a few degrees, ensuring we were still facing into it for the homeward leg of the ride, back through Addington and Cranford, arriving in Kettering a little after midday having covered 35 miles.