A muddy first ride of the year to Market Harborough. 6th January 2013.
Steve was the last to arrive at Matts on his BMW.
2013 had dawned with a few unexpected sunny days.
This puzzling outburst of sunlight led to Matt circulating an email to all offering to lead a short ride to the cafe in Market Harborough.
Sunday arrived and It was a cold and not very sunny day with a light drizzle being the prominent weather feature. Linn declined the opportunity to join me so I set forth for Matt's in the murk alone. On arriving at Matt's I found better weather and a good turnout of riders with nine bikes out for the run. The improved weather at Matt's seemed just right for a nice relaxed laid back short ride to a warm dry cafe.
Matt probably fooled by the patch of blue sky that hovered above his house, had other ideas. What followed was an interesting longish ride in the darkening skies and drizzle with minimal visibility down many miles of narrow lanes surfaced with a mix of ice and mud and gravel. Occasionally the road surface changed to mud, more mud and gravel with some ice, I definitely felt my back end twitch on a few occasions and the bike felt a bit unstable too.
Still we all enjoyed the ride and we all felt very pleased to arrive safely at our destination.
In the market hall at Market Harborough an antiques and bric a brac sale was on. I didnt find anything half as good as the very welcome tea and the bacon sandwiches in the cafe.
All agreed it was a good day out and a welcome early start to the years riding.
See a few photos in gallery two on the website.