The Ride to Northampton 2 team were given a tough test during day 2 of their three day ride. The longest route of the event featured numerous inclines including the now famous ‘Corker Hill’ following Rob Corker’s impressive feat in conquering it with ease last year.
After a quick start winding through the countryside from the overnight stop in Corringham, the group began to hit the first of many slight inclines as they cycled on towards Lincoln and beyond. With the support vans unable to follow on some of the route, the cyclists were left to their own devices. It didn’t prove to be an issue thought and in fact, it was the support vans who came unstuck as they were interrupted during an alternative tourist trip to Lincoln and requested to rendezvous with the riders at the base of Corker Hill. Typical to how the morning had gone, the riders reached the agreed point first and saw the vans coming towards them – from the top of the hill…
Corker Hill was the venue for the third challenge in the mug-off series, a simple who can get to the top first or if neither could, who would get the furthest without getting off. Corker ultimately failed to conquer the hill named after himself – the fact he was wearing a pair of ‘Gods Gift’ knickers from Ann Summers, had nothing to do with it- and Waterworth took a 2-1 lead into the final day after the rescheduling of the evening task.
Lunch was an absolute disaster – at least from Tom Poole’s point of view – the Railway pub at Ancaster which serves Chinese food was closed as it’s owners had returned to their home country to celebrate Chinese New Year. Fortunately, the locals who appeared to be stealing metal from a shed, suggested an alternative venue that went down very well with all the riders.
The second half of the ride proved to be tough for a large number of the group with the light drawing in and the winding roads featuring a number of inclines and downhill parts on much busier roads. Of course, Rob Corker managed to get himself into a spot of trouble with a local resident – who took a dislike to his decision to water her plants.
But the darkening night, aching limbs and a herd of deer running out in front of the main pack of riders would not stop the group from sticking together to ensure that everyone was keeping up. And at around 17:00, the first riders reached our second overnight stop at the Redwings Lodge in Uppingham to complete a gruelling challenge but one that every single rider should be proud of.
Newbie this year, Jim Calverley fell asleep when asked about his day 2 experience so instead we have gone with this motivational quote:
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success”
After eating in Oakham, the return to Redwings was livened up by Russ Leeming working his way through his back catalogue of impressions, ranging from Akon to Colin Walker, the former YCFC manager.
Tomorrow, sees the final leg of the journey, with a shorter distance from Uppingham and into Northampton itself via Market Harborough before moving onto Sixfields Stadium where the riders will be presented to the crowd ahead of the game. The weather looks a challenge with rain and strong winds forecast for late morning so a 7:45am set off has been declared to keep everyone on track to be at Sixfields sometime around or before 13:00.
The total raised so far has reached £4423 and it’s hoped that a bucket collection ahead of kick-off tomorrow can push us on towards the £5000 mark.
Please keep spreading the word, text donations are the quickest and easiest;
Text YCFC56 £x to 70070.
Day Two– Corringham to Uppingham Stats
Distance covered: 73.6 miles
Hours spent in the saddle: 6+ hours
Falls: 3
Punctures: 0
The Waterworth v Corker ‘Mug-Off’ Challenge
– Challenge 1: ‘3 Doughnuts Challenge’ – Waterworth Wins
– Challenge 2: ‘Upside down YCFC Quiz’ – Corker 5/5, Waterworth 1/5
End of Day 1 Score: Corker 1-1 Waterworth
– Challenge 3: ‘Corker Hill’ – Waterworth Wins.
End of Day 2 Score: Corker 1-2 Waterworth
The group are due at Sixfields on Saturday around 12:45 and will be presented to the crowd before kick-off at around 14:45.
To follow their progress tomorrow and on Saturday, visit the twitter @ycfc_2_ntfc.
ride to northampton 2 