Travellers tales: CTC Coventry’s 100-mile Triennial Veterans’ ride

Forty-nine riders, with ages ranging from 51 to 79, gathered at Binley Woods Village Hall for CTC Coventry’s 100-mile Triennial Veterans’ ride. After a quick coffee, we were sent off in groups of 10.

Regular riders on our Tri-Vet events were unsurprised to find themselves on a track to Coombe Abbey. But it wasn’t long before we were back on tarmac and making good progress to Sibbertoft, a Northamptonshire village at the top of the biggest climb of the route. Our efficient team of caterers had already set up in the village hall to welcome us.

We were soon on our way again, heading into the narrow lanes of Rutland, which became noticeably more undulating. There was a delightful gated road from Blaston to Horninghold, then a leg alongside Eyebrook Reservoir to Great Easton for lunch. The ladies of the local WI provided us with an excellent lunch.

After that, we headed south-west to Arthingworth and Naseby along a lovely narrow lane; it was hard to believe it was only yards from the A14 dual carriageway. We stopped briefly by Thomas Fairfax’s view at Naseby, but there didn’t seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for Civil War history!

We had a few rain showers before we arrived at West Haddon. On leaving it, we were treated to one of the cycling gems of Northamptonshire: a succession of narrow gated roads through Winwick to Yelvertoft. Nearly home, we crossed the River Avon to Catthorpe and followed another singletrack road to Bretford.

In three years we’ll be doing it again, but you don’t have to wait that long: CTC Coventry will be 100 years old in 2021 and there will be a 100- mile ride to celebrate. You won’t have to be over 50 to take part either.