Thursday 27th July Ride to Cafe Ventoux. (Wednesday cyclists go on tour, on Thursday).

A Small group of us fancied a ride out to Cafe Ventoux on Thursday 27 July so leaving Loughborough, Howard,Terry, Eric and Derek set off to Tugby not taking the direct route but using cycle lanes as much as possible. We headed out via Sileby to Watermead park picking up Route 6 of the National Cycle Network. After heading past the Space Centre in Leicester we headed out still on Route 6 via Aylstone Meadows where we stoped at King's lock tea room for refreshments. This is the last existing lock keepers' cottage in Leicester. We were made most welcome and even given a 10% reduction on our bill as we were all over 60. We then carried on Route 6 as it's the old Great Central railway line through Wigston before picking up quiet country lanes to take us to Tugby and Cafe Ventoux. We were joined by Lyn who cycled a different route. We all enjoyed a lovely lunch and looking at the expensive Boardman cycles that were for sale.Howard, Terry and Derek headed back via the slightly hilly route, while Eric had the luxury of getting a lift back with his wife Jo. Lyn opted to take the flatter route of the cycle paths back through Leicester.

On the route back we stopped a couple of times to shelter from the odd shower eventually stopping at Thrussington Delicatessen and tea room where we were served our tea in vintage China. We then proceeded back to loughborough via Barrow Upon Soar. In all we covered about 65 miles. (Report by Derek).

Departure times were:

Outwards Drive Roundabout: 08:45 a.m

Allendale Rd./Epinal Way Roundabout: 09:00 a.m.

Woodhouse Road /Farley Way crossroads: 09:10.

and Sileby, Opposite the Green Place: 09:30 a.m.

Coffee Stops were: King's Lock, South of Leicester, after about the first 30K. (20 miles). Arriving approx 11.00 a.m. Leaving approx 11.30 a.m.

Cafe Ventoux, at the 32K, mark (20 miles) further on. Arriving approx 02.00 p.m. Leaving approx 02.45 p.m.

Village Store Thrussington, 20K, (12 miles) further on again. Arriving approx 04:15 p.m. Leaving approx 04:45

Finish. approx 06:00 p.m.after about a total of over 100K, (65 miles).

All times were based on our average Wednesday Social Cycling ride speed of 15-19K, say round figures of 10 m.p.h.