The longer club run led by Craig H., with Mick H., Dennis D., Peter S., Luke T., and Nick Z., set off under a very cloudy sky. The weather forecast was for the wet-front to pass over and on to the east. We will see! The route chosen would take us out to the east and hopefully we would have the wind behind us on the way home. Off out past McDonalds, Greens Norton and down the Banbury Lane to cross the A5 at Foster's Booth. On to Rothersthorpe, Kislingbury, across the main road and up the hill to a new roundabout where we turned left to Little Brington. Though Little Brington, Great Brington, East Haddon to Long Buckby for our cafe stop at 22 miles. The cafe ( Cuisine) was already full of cyclists from Northampton but we were quickly served. On to cross over the M1 at the Watford Gap and to Ashby St. Ledgers. Here Peter S., had friends who came out to have a chat with us. On through the village to look at some beautiful thatched houses plus the manor house where the Gunpowder Plot was said to have been planned. A very pretty village with a good pub called The Old Manor House (no visit this time). Out on the road to Barby (no doll or Ken to be

seen) with a left turn to Braunston. We had a look at the cafe there (Poppies) but decided to push on to the transport cafe at Willoughby. Here we just made it at 1.30pm to get our lunch as they were about to close. On to Lower Shuckburgh, over the A425 and a gated track to Priors Marston.

Here we took the easier? way via Keys Lane to climb the hill out of the village. At the top Luke T., had a rush of blood, shot down the 14% hill and came quickly back up again. Ah, to be young again! Further down the road we took a detour to climb up to the communications towers for a view of the countryside opposite Helidon Lakes golf club. The weather now was bright sunshine and we did have the wind behind us. Over the A361 at Charwelton and home via the Prestons, Maidford, Blakesley and Greens Norton. Ride statistics: home at 4.30 pm, distance travelled 62 miles, cycling time 4.5 hours and no punctures. All agreed a very good day out.