Sunday 13th August was the first of this Month Sunday Ride Outs, Craig McLean had arranged a gentle jaunt over to Boxwood Café, Oundle with a return journey ending at The Fitzwilliam Arms, Marholm.
Starting off at our usual meeting place of Haddon Services for pre ride briefing, it was decided to use the drop off system, with Martin Jones volunteering to do TEC duties.
Twelve bikes and one pillion set off for the mornings adventure.
The sky was looking promising, despite the forecast predicting showers, we set off in the hope of a dry morning.
Craig had planned a fabulous 49 mile route through some of our beautiful villages, with great twisty roads, many familiar but some of which I had never ridden before, it never ceases to amaze me how many lovely roads and villages there are in our area to enjoy, along with the obligatory horses, cyclists and tractors expected on country roads.
Our first destination was Boxwood Café in Oundle, some of us had stopped there before, the breakfast menu was still available and a few of the group took advantage of the breakfast baps and cooked breakfast options.
There was also the obligatory cake on offer, with a very interesting vegan and raspberry cake!?
Suitably satisfied with the offerings, we headed off for the final leg of our journey, a 38 mile route to the second of our destinations for the day The Fitzwilliam Arms in Marholm.
The second leg, like the first, did not disappoint, heading back towards Stamford via some familiar villages, following a rain shower that thankfully did not hang around too long, we finished the last leg in sunshine.
The Fitzwilliam Arms was a welcome stop, with cold drinks consumed in the sunshine in their beer garden.
Thirteen attendees on the thirteenth day of the month was certainly not unlucky for us!
As always, a great day was had by all, lots of excellent roads to enjoy, plenty of banter and chat, than you to everyone for their company and special thanks to Ken and Barbie for looking after us!