Wednesday 11th September 2019
Post date: 10-Sep-2019 14:15:33
The forecast had been for it to be dry but the morning was made up or sunny periods interspersed with drizzly showers. However this did not appear to have put many off and another good turnout saw three rides set off instead of the normal two as the popularity of the longer ride meant that the group was overwhelming the tea places when they arrived. Howard led of one longer ride followed by Jeff with another leaving John, Rob, Rosalind, Clyde and Lyn to make up the short ride.
Short Ride
As the school holidays were over so that Bradgate Park should be passable again and the wind was in the south west, it was decided to head for Newtown Linford. The normal route out past Mucklin Wood then heading for Swithland was taken. A rainbow was spotted as the Riders reache Rushey Lane so a stop was made to take a photograph. The riders then head on through Swithland and through Bradgate Park (which was comparatively empty due to the showers) passing deer that were closer to the road than usual due to the low number of tourists. Having given way to the temptation of cake in the Jade tearoom, the riders returned via Cossington, Mountsorrel and Quorn, arriving in Loughborough just after noon.
Long ride 1
The weather forecasts were somewhat contradictory, with various predictions of patchy rain. So, we mostly came prepared for rain.
There were 5 of us willing to follow Howard to Calke Abbey, and I hope others will be reading this report to realise what they missed on this occasion. Howard, Philip, Eric, Terry and David set off towards the A6. But we called in briefly at Howard’s residence to drop off unnecessary rainwear. No sooner had we done that, the rain appeared as a steady mist and followed us all the way to Diseworth.
As we proceeded generally west along quiet roads the intermittently wafted aroma of “mook spreadin’ round ‘yer” reminded us that we were in the countryside, but the rain cloud had let us be.
Our route took us past the Hollybush Inn (looks like a nice olde pub) and then quite close to the priory church at Breedon on the Hill; so, just for kicks, we took a detour to this high altitude and a breather of the thin air.
The inevitable downward dash led us back to the road through Wilson, then to Melbourne. In Melbourne we took Penn Lane, then turned off the B587 along Calke Road. A novice might consider we were nearly at our destination. But no, we were nearly at Staunton Harold yacht club. From there the country track took us to the top of a hill just outside Ticknall.
In Ticknall, the brown sign pointed to Calke Abbey, but the driveway is over 3 km long (if it were any shorter it wouldn’t reach the house – quote from Dave Allen). The driveway took us, unimpeded by sheep and cattle grids, just short of the house; but within limping distance of the café.
We were in time to have the café almost to ourselves, and sit out to chat around a single picnic table. A quite rare delicacy served up was the Toasted Welsh Rarebit Scone. It was to set some of us up well for the ride home.
Taking the back route out through Calke village, we bolted along Burney Lane and dived along Doctor’s Lane through Breedon past the quarry. I am afraid we must have held up many lorries as we crawled up the shiny grey hill with its grey grass verges and grey hedges.
Headed for Belton, we took the A453 roundabout near Tonge. In Belton, we passed the church and took the narrow lane to Shepshed. There was then a confab, and the debate about which way to go through Shepshed was swayed by Philip. So, for more kicks, we took the steeper route via the centre.
The ride through Garendon was bumpy as ever, and we were nearly joined by a small dog. After that we peeled off in different directions and were home soon after 1pm.
The ride was about 60 km, and the hill climbing amounted to 600m; a healthy contribution to keeping fit.
Long Ride 2
Having witnessed the first long ride detachment head off towards Forest Road, a second one comprising Keith, Graham, Tom, Michael and Jeff set off in the opposite direction, towards Beacon Road. They took Cross Hill Lane to Park Road, Broadway and Manor Road, joined the cycleway on Epinal Way and headed South through Quorn to Mountsorrel. Turning left along Sileby Road to Sileby and onward to Humble Lane in Cossington, it was time for their first climb. Facilitated by the strong westerly breeze on their backs, they were soon at the top, turning right onto Ratcliffe Road, passing beneath the A46 and striking out along Thrussington Road. Again the prevailing wind came to their assistance as they were swiftly borne through Thrussington and Hoby to Asfordby. Here they turned right towards the village along Loughborough Road, away from the busy A606. Soon afterwards they turned left along Saxelbye Road, now a dead end for motor vehicles (but not so for cyclists), crossed straight over the A606 and continued towards Saxelbye, uphill. I believe Terry did the groundwork (literally) for this little wheeze for dodging the main A606 road. Once over the hill the road dives towards the village where they turned right onto Main Street, passing under a bridge which conveys the former Midland Railway’s Melton to Nottingham line (now used as a test track). Past Websters Dairy, makers of Stilton cheese, they turned left onto Ostler Lane. Apparently an ostler is, or was, a man employed to tend the horses of guests staying at an inn. This narrow, single track lane climbs steadily for a mile or so and fortunately they encountered no other traffic, nor ostlers. A left turn at the junction with Six Hills Lane brought them the short distance to Nice Pie Cafe. Here they attempted to do some justice to the hearty selection of grub available, recovering the spent calories of the outward ride. Soon, with plates empty and stomachs full, it was time to curtail the chit-chat and get back on their bikes. They chose to return by the direct route via Six Hills and Paudy Lane to Barrow upon Soar, whereupon they crossed the river and took the Slabs to Quorn. They were back in Loughborough before 12.30, having encountered almost no rain, and covered approximately 30 miles in all.
