This years annual CTC Birthday Rides was hosted by the Fire Services College, Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds, from 7 - 13th August.

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Ten riders from Burnley & Pendle attended this year, with one camper, two caravanners and the rest in the college accomodation.

As usual, a selection of routes were available for us to enjoy, ranging from short 25 mile 'D' rides, upto 80 mile+ 'A' rides, all using quiet country lanes so we could enjoy the scenery without having to worry too myuch about traffic.

Not all wanting to do the same rides every day, we split into two or three groups each day, some of us following the provided routes, and some making ad-hoc changes to accomodate personal interests.

Below are selections from the five days rides.

Tuesday

Leaving the college we headed out to Stow-on-the-Wold for morning coffee, before riding through Guiting Power and Winchcombe. We had a spot of rain on this stretch, but, being well prepared, it didn't dampen spirits, as we made our way through Broadway and Chipping Camben before returning to the college.

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Wednesday

Wednesday started out very wet, so we put things on hold until after lunch. We eventually set out at around 1pm, on one of the shorter rides, to see the Kings Men Stone Circle at Rollright. Just being a short afternoon ride, didn't stop us enjoying Tea and Scones in Shipston in Stour.

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Thursday

Being a better day, we decided to tackle one of the longer 'B' rides, again passing the Rollright Stone Circle, heading through Upper and Lower Tysoe and lunching at Bishops Itchington. The return route took us through Burton Dasset Country Park, and Kineton.

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Friday

Again a good day for riding, we'd heard that the Slaughters was worth a visit, so picked an appropriate route. We weren't disappointed, finding pretty villages and roads fording the river in several places (with convenient bridges for cyclists and pedestrians).

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Saturday

Our final day, and a visit to Adam Henson's (of BBC Countryfile fame) Cotswold Farm Park. Heading out via Bourton-on-the-Hill, and returning through Stow-on-the-Wold.

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