Origami Ride

The Folding Society's monthly ride on Saturday 13th April was, as expected, well attended with riders arriving at the appointed start in Long Eaton from far and wide.  Also the weather was good (as usual) and the lunch stop at the Harrington Arms in Thulston was superb.
Three Derby Rangers, Martin, Nick and I joined the party, travelling by train to Long Eaton.
The main group were all (but one) on folding bikes, mostly various models of Brompton, but with three space frame Moultons, one of which sported a toothed belt driving through a Rohloff hub gear. The remainder were Dahons,  a solitary Airnimal Rhino and last but not least an elderly Bickerton.  The Bickerton is a rather flimsy and very lightweight aluminium folder which was the inspiration for the development of the Brompton and other more modern folders.



Nick and Martin on the path at Trent Lock in the sunshine.

Led by a group of Nottingham cyclists, the 23 strong group rode out of Long Eaton via Trent Lock on the River Trent path, crossing over (and under) the M1 motorway, the A52 and various slip roads onto minor roads through the villages of Lockington, Hemington, Castle Donington, and Shardlow  to arrive in Thulston where a private room was booked for the lunch. This was somewhat above the usual cyclist's standard, exemplified by one remark of  "Look - tablecloths!".
Not an economy meal by any means, but the portions were enormous, the steak and ale pie with chips and vegetables being served on three separate plates/dishes.  Sadly and unusually, it was not possible to eat it all.  Shame!
Bloated by the meal and the beer, we staggered back to our bikes for the ride back to Long Eaton via Elvaston Castle, where we stopped for a quick look for the benefit of those who, being from far away, had never seen it before.  And another photo call.

From Elvaston we joined NCN Route 6 via Borrowash and Draycott to Church Wilne and back into Sawley to finish back in Long Eaton just in time for the return train  to Derby, by which time the forecast rain had arrived.
So, a nice day out in good company, in good weather with an excellent meal.
The Society have another local ride in October, this time starting in Duffield, so we will be there.