The Longer Ride

(many thanks to Eric for report).

John said that the long ride would Include riding up hill and into the wind and the massed numbers about to step forward went into reverse gear faster than a Mussolini led tank driver. 4 were left to follow Howard either because they were hard of hearing or just too dumb to know any different.

Howard said that when it comes to a long ride, it is not only the length but how hard it is that counts. The harder it is the more thrilling it can be ... The others exchanged quizzical glances but followed all the same! ..and thrilling it was.

Howard set off via Cross hill lane and Mucklin wood, followed by Eric " I've got the power cos I'm wearing a Duracell T shirt", Tricia "Queen of the Cornish mountains" , Pat "princess of the Eastern European plains" and of course "Wasabi" Jeff attired in the lurid green number of that name. Someone had told him the wind would scare the insects away!

Through old Woodhouse, left at the Church past Pestilence cottage. Howard pretended he didn't know where he was going and merely following Garmin. He said that just as he immediately turned right up Swithland road and on up Warren hill for the first major climb of the day. The wind was strong and gusting stronger. coming down into Newton Linford we turned right again up Markfield road. This was a long steady slog up into the wind. We reached the A50 by Field head and navigated a nasty roundabout as we crossed it. On the other side we followed Launde road and onto Ratby road, and in turn Thornton road. Jeff hit the front as if someone had put Wasabi on his saddle, and the rest tried to get into his rather narrow slip stream. The M1 was crossed and eventually the riders turned right onto Reservoir road. Past the reservoir and coming to rest at our destination, Thornton Nurseries. Coffee and some teacakes ordered, Howard showing once again that experience triumphs over youthful exuberance. He ordered a cafetiere, poured 2 cups and paid the same 2 quid that Eric did for his one cup of the more trendily named Americano... at the same price. You don't get to be leader of the long hard ride by accident you know!

Coffee supped, crumbs of tea cake licked off the plate and a visit to a rather frightening thunder box in the yard and we were off again. Up the hill and right through Thornton then turning right down Markfield lane. Down the steep hill, this time with the wind behind us, and back up the hill the other side. Down Grassy lane and onto Forest Road we crossed the M1. We then turned left up the worryingly named, Hill lane. At this point with some lame excuse of a stuck gear Eric unlike the Duracell Bunny, ran out of power up the hill looking more like an inferior toy running on leaky zinc carbon batteries. At the T junction we turned left onto Whitwick road and over the A 50. The road was closed for bridge repairs but we squeezed by. A consequently quiet road was followed and right into the famed and feared Priory lane. Whizzing down the hill brakes applied sharply as Pat lost a bolt and a mudguard strut came loose. As we stopped for running repairs Jeff and Tricia carried on. Up hill and down dale and back up again. A tough hard ride it was. At the top of the final hill the others caught them up and we whizzed down the other side crossing the B5330 and onto Joe Moores lane. Then we turned left onto Maplewell road and down into Woodhouse. Turning left into Main street and up to the Bulls Head at the T junction. Jeff had gone ahead and at this point Howard and Pat went left onto Beacon road and back to Loughborough via Breakback road and Tricia and Eric turned right to Quorn and Sileby respectively. An Excellent ride out. Wind and hills included.

Howard had promised a hard ride and Hard he delivered. Those that had shied away at the beginning may have had more sense than feeling but they also missed a good challenge. Many thanks to Eric for that.

The Shorter Ride

(boring report from John)

Rosalind, Rob, Myles, Paul, John, Phil and Lyn (who had at first set off in pursuit of Howard's pack but changed his mind) decided on a circuitous route upwind via Mucklin Wood, Swithland, Cropston Reservoir and Rothley where they tried out the relatively new cycle paths alongside Bier Way which passes through the new housing estate. This route provides some good views to the south.

The riders then dropped down into Mountsorrel to try out the Peppercorns Cafe at the Memorial Centre with its excellent cycle parking. As the cafe was dominated by mothers and toddlers, refreshments were take outside in rather draughty conditions. The group was then blown home by the steadily increasing gale force winds.