After a discussion at club night a ride out was organised on what was supposed to be the day with the best weather. The forecast predicted each day would get worse until we reach a wet weekend.
Matt despatched an email to let all know about the run.
The idea was that people would make their way to my house in Northampton from where I would lead a gentle meander through the east of the county and on into Warwickshire to the Long Itch Diner at Long Itchington making the most of the expected sunshine. We anticipated a mileage of around ninety miles all up.
Wednesday dawned. The weather was disappointing, it was dull and overcast but at least it was dry and perhaps it would brighten up as it often does on spring mornings.
As the riders arrived though they were unanimous in reporting that it was fff freezing cold.
After a delay to allow a bit of warming up, we set off. I led five other bikes on my Triumph heading in a circular route around some deserted narrow lanes near Bozenham Mill. As we went on it was becoming noticeably cold and no sign of the hoped for breakthrough by the sun. It was so cold that I was receiving complaints about frozen digits. Persuaded, I decided to cut short the run and head instead to the cafe at Weedon to general agreement.
Plans rarely work out and it was clear when we got Weedon village that Granny's Kitchen was no more. As leader of todays ride I decided without devoting any brain cells to the decision to head directly to my original destination and stop if we passed any other cafe. Well we may have passed a few cafes but I didnt see them, so I led the group on a main road ride all the way to the Long Itch Diner without stopping.
Thankfully this was open, it had heating, toilets, tea and coffee and bacon sandwiches. The facilities were employed to the full and generally in the order shown.
Bill on his BMW was the main subject of discussion at the cafe. He has got heated handlebar grips, a windscreen and some said a heated seat. He was roundly proclaimed not a real motorcyclist by five other frozen jealous comrades.
After our warm up it was clear to all we were going straight home by the fastest route and thats what we did.
As I write this on Thursday the sun is streaming through the window and its dry and much warmer, the daffodils are out and we obviously chose the wrong day for a ride out. However we still enjoyed it.
Some photos are on gallery two.
John.
Matt despatched an email to let all know about the run.
The idea was that people would make their way to my house in Northampton from where I would lead a gentle meander through the east of the county and on into Warwickshire to the Long Itch Diner at Long Itchington making the most of the expected sunshine. We anticipated a mileage of around ninety miles all up.
Wednesday dawned. The weather was disappointing, it was dull and overcast but at least it was dry and perhaps it would brighten up as it often does on spring mornings.
As the riders arrived though they were unanimous in reporting that it was fff freezing cold.
After a delay to allow a bit of warming up, we set off. I led five other bikes on my Triumph heading in a circular route around some deserted narrow lanes near Bozenham Mill. As we went on it was becoming noticeably cold and no sign of the hoped for breakthrough by the sun. It was so cold that I was receiving complaints about frozen digits. Persuaded, I decided to cut short the run and head instead to the cafe at Weedon to general agreement.
Plans rarely work out and it was clear when we got Weedon village that Granny's Kitchen was no more. As leader of todays ride I decided without devoting any brain cells to the decision to head directly to my original destination and stop if we passed any other cafe. Well we may have passed a few cafes but I didnt see them, so I led the group on a main road ride all the way to the Long Itch Diner without stopping.
Thankfully this was open, it had heating, toilets, tea and coffee and bacon sandwiches. The facilities were employed to the full and generally in the order shown.
Bill on his BMW was the main subject of discussion at the cafe. He has got heated handlebar grips, a windscreen and some said a heated seat. He was roundly proclaimed not a real motorcyclist by five other frozen jealous comrades.
After our warm up it was clear to all we were going straight home by the fastest route and thats what we did.
As I write this on Thursday the sun is streaming through the window and its dry and much warmer, the daffodils are out and we obviously chose the wrong day for a ride out. However we still enjoyed it.
Some photos are on gallery two.
John.
