Wednesday 12th August 2020
Post date: 11-Aug-2020 18:09:08
While there was some rain falling around 7am by the time riders were gathering in Holt Drive the sun was shining and the temperature building.
Long ride: (report by Brian)
Howard was the leader of our pod promising a run of 30 miles to Melbourne. Our crew consisted of Trish, Rob,Terry, Alan and me, Brian. A run through the University and Thorpe acre brought us to the Garendon Trail (mud free) and Shepshed. Then, up Lansdowne Road, picking up Route 6 through Belton and on to Tonge, and Breedon on the Hill ( thankfully not climbed, as the temperature was steadily increasing) then through Wilson to Melbourne. A loop through the town, (back up cafe duly noted), took us to the cafe, Tori and Ben's at King’s Newton. After a certain amount of faffing about with face masks and hand sanitizers, teas and coffees were ordered. The next problem was 5 seats available for 6 people. Where is Phillip when you need him? When that problem was solved, we were entertained by Howard trying to explain his one piece inner tube/tyre arrangement (tubulars, not tubeless). I think some of us grasped the idea eventually.
Then we picked up the Cloud Trail which had a cooler breeze and a good bit of shade. Our leader remembered that a photo wasn't taken at the coffee stop. That was soon sorted. Some lovely lanes took us through Worthington and a decent climb on the way to Osgathorpe, followed by Belton, Hathern and Loughborough. I was home by 1.00 pm and clocked 33 miles. A great ride on a beautiful hot( 30C ?) day.
Intermediate ride: (report by David)
Keith led John, Mick, Robert, Andrew and new rider Jeanette on a ride out past Mucklin Wood to Beaumanor and then on up to Woodhouse Eaves. Avoiding the Beacon the riders turned left for Maplewell and then turned right onto Benscliffe Road to reach Charley Road which took a long descending and scenic route into Shepshed. Refreshments were taken in Hall Croft where two tea shops were open and the riders split themselves between them. John and Jeanette then returned to Loughborough via Garendon Park whilst the remaining riders took a longer ride back via Hathern.
With temperatures typically into the 30’s (°C) this week, and the threat of thunderstorms hanging like the sword of Damocles, we set off for Thrussington. This is a favourite village, with its café, pubs, thatched cottages and village green. Graham led David, Pat and Margaret, and there were surprisingly no other takers. There was a haze, indicative of soaring temperatures to come, but a little breeze to help keep us cool. We took the direct road route through Loughborough from Forest Road to Nottingham Road via Pinfold Gate. There was little traffic as we crossed the railway bridge, passed The Brush and crossed the flood plain to Cotes. After turning towards Barrow, we took Bandalls Lane, then Walton Lane, crossing the Nottingham Road to Walton village. We then took the less steep option up Six Hills Road. This road was surprisingly busy with traffic, considering that it does not lead anywhere. The road led into a bridle path. We stopped briefly before turning right onto a grassy tract that led to Paudy Lane.
A short way along Paudy Lane we turned oblique right to Seagrave. After passing though Seagrave we crossed the A46 and coasted downhill into Thrussington.
The village store was serving some refreshments through a hatch on the street, and we were able to enjoy those, sat on the village green. We contemplated the risks of trying to plan journeys further afield, subject to the randomness of imposed lockdowns.
After leaving Thrussington, we soon arrived at Rearsby. Nobody was game for a splashy ride though the ford, even though the temperature was by now 90°F. We continued to the roundabout outside Queniborough, which we avoided by using the tunnel. As we approached Syston, a cunning route through outlying residential roads led us to cross the High Street by the church into School Street and Brook Side.
We then carried on alongside Barkby Brook under bridges and into Meadow Lane, which leads to a bridge over the A46. Just over the bridge, we turned right onto the canal towpath. Soon after crossing the bridge over the River Wreake, we took a right turn towards Platts Lane, then crossed to Cossington.
After negotiating the Cossington roadworks, we came through Sileby. Where Pat carried on for home, we turned left across the flood plain to Mountsorrel, then right to Quorn, where Graham took a left. The remaining two arrived in Loughborough soon after 12 noon, having covered 25 miles at an average of 11.7 mph.
Short Ride
