Hot on the heels of the first BRCC reliability ride came Round 2, a 70 mile saunter through the Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire countryside.  With the weather forecast to be dry, sunny and more importantly less windy than of late, the SNCC early starter contingent set off in good spirits.

A last minute route change caused some issues with the Garmin users amongst us, however as always BRCC proved to have things in hand and had been out to signpost the change.

With Steve B, Martin, Mark G, Steve W, Mark C and I making up the 8am SNCC starters we made good progress south towards Old Warden, before turning west towards Houghton Conquest and Millbrook. Some of us started to feel the pace during the westward leg and somewhat inevitably, Steve B and Martin decided to stretch their legs, leaving the 4 of us to continue on as one.

So onwards to Cranfield and the first of a number of challenging climbs, this one topping out at just over 10%. With the climb over we were now enjoying some of the best weather and views this year and, now heading north, we were enjoying the wind on our backs. Approaching Olney from the east, before skirting the historic market town to the south and west, we headed north again towards Yardley Hastings, before finally turning east for the run home.  

With Bozeat providing the only challenge on the easterly leg, but this was more to do with navigation than the terrain, we soon found ourselves back in familiar territory as we passed through Sharnbrook, Thurleigh and onto the B660 Kimbolton Road.   

With 58 miles in our legs we were now looking forward to the obligatory soup and roll waiting for us at the finish; however the wind had decided to pick up and make us work for the reward.   So it proved to be a bit of a slog back to Cardington, but with unbroken sunshine and temperatures close to 10 degrees we were not overly bothered with a stiff breeze.

Back in the clubhouse a worrying development – Mark C seems to have a drinking problem! While we all tucked into our polystyrene cup of soup, Mark decided to redecorate the hall by knocking his cup of Minestrone soup on the floor. The staff thought he’d either been sick or really disliked the soup.

Group 2 averaged 17.5 mph whilst Group 1 (Steve B and Martin) recorded 19mph over the 70 miles. Then I hear Steve B went to play a round of golf later the same afternoon. (I also hear that he managed to get round the ride without a comfort break - 70 miles with no wee-stop - unheard of; Ed)

Here’s hoping the weather continues to improve as we head towards spring.

Ian