Sunday 25th March Beeston Family Ride

This was one of the usual family rides in the calendar, along with the introductory rides and social rides. I was riding my brand-new mountain bike which was given to me at Christmas, and it was perfect for the kind of terrain we were on. The route was taking us along the river Trent and to Holme Pierrepont. Everyone met outside Argos as usual and to my amazement twenty-three people and a dog turned up for the ride, a new club record! It included about eight kids and a load of adults as well as Hervé (aka Frenchie) and his daughter Gabrielle. We rode along a bit of the canal and through the nature reserve until we got to the embankment. At the embankment there were various stalls being set up for the Sport Relief Mile which was taking place later on in the day. As we continued beside the river and which was now running along side loads of disused factories, which was kind of spooky, and the super-expensive riverside penthouse apartments, the sort of place where everyone owned Ferraris. On our other side there was about thirty rugby matches going on in a massive playing field. 

Group photo on the steps

    When we did eventually get to Holme Pierrepont it took us ages to find a place to get some food and drink, as there wasn't an event on so non of the kiosks were open. We eventually found a cool little canoeing and kayaking shop which sold hot and cold drinks and some cake. Despite the lovely sun, my mum was freezing and got so cold she had to borrow a fleece body warmer off some twelve year-old to keep warm. We grouped together on the steps of the shop for a photo and shortly afterwards set off for the journey home. As we were riding back along the river we saw  a helicopter at the same place as the penthouse apartments but on the side of the river that we were on with its blades spinning, sitting not that far from the path. We stopped to watch it take off and the pilot waved to us all as it left. We carried on until we stopped at the embankment where instead of crossing over the bridge like last time we stopped to let everyone catch up and watch the hundreds of thousands of people doing the Sport Relief Mile. 
    At this point we all decided that when we got back to Beeston we would stop at The Crown Inn for a drink and some snacks. After a good chat we rode home through Beeston, completing our eighteen mile long bike ride. The next Beeston CC ride I'm due to go is on the 22nd of April, six days after my birthday, so keep checking my blog to see what I've been up to.

Sunday 26th Feb - Elvaston Castle

Group photo at Elvaston Castle

We set off at half eight in the morning and headed for Argos in Beeston, but my Dad decided t speed off ahead to make sure he got there first, as he was leading it. By the time time we set off, we were in a huge bunch of 17 people! The weather was brilliant, I felt as if I was gliding along, which I suppose I was, because that's what happens when your in a bunch. I was at the front for most of the time, just inches from my Dads back whell and getting a little tow, while listening to the various conversations my Dad was having with his mates. We did get beeped by some stupid driver, but life's full of idiots, so I ignored it. We took a left turn just before the main carpark entrance for Elvaston Castle and sneaked past a gate and up a small road. It brought us out right outside Elvaston Castle, but we did have to ride up a small, cobbled incline which was not fun. We lade all seventeen of our bikes against a wall and piled into the cafe to by various food and drink. After refuelling we gathered in front of the clock tower for a group photo. The way back was shorter, only eight miles, and we were near home in no time at all. People started peeling off to get home, and me and my Mum stopped at our house while my Dad went back to Argos to finish the ride. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next club ride I go on. We only did twenty miles but it was just what I wanted.