Wednesday 12th February 2020
Post date: 05-Feb-2020 16:16:45
Yet another winter Wednesday when riders experienced a sunny window in the otherwise stormy weather. attracting 26 riders to gather in the square adjacent to Holt Drive.
Short Ride
John, Patrick, Lynn, Myles, Mick, Wendy, Rosalind and Bryan headed out West through the University and Shepshed to Tickow Lane. From here they climbed slowly to Charley Road and then turned into Oaks Road, which was officially closed to traffic, allowing the riders to meander as they climbed past the Church where abundant snow drops were to be seen in the verge. After excellent refreshment at the Monastery Tea Room the riders returned to Charley Road, following round to the Beacon anda then dropping through Woodhouse Eaves and on to Quorn. The groups were back in Loughborough just after midday.
Intermediate Ride
Garden party mood prevailed once again on the green at Holt Drive with the bright morning air buzzing with the general hubbub of a large, excited throng. Folk milled and mingled, exchanging pleasantries, some glancing round hoping to collar a waiter bearing a tray of cocktails when, suddenly, they were shocked back to reality when someone suggested they should go for a bike ride. Marcus, heading up the intermediate ride to the Race Hub at Six Hills, enlisted: Clyde, Dave, David, Dom, Eric, Jeff, Patrick, Tricia and Rob to go with him. The ride set off down Beacon Road, using the cycle paths to Quorn and then right to Woodhouse Eaves and hill country. For those anticipating an easy, direct, short stint up Paudy Lane, it was too late now to bottle out. Clyde led the way up Maplewell Road, at the top of which they turned left onto Joe Moores Lane, cruising downhill towards Bradgate Park. Soon they were gazing out across Cropston Reservoir, the blue waters shimmering beneath an azure sky with the crisp outline of the Charnwood Hills beyond. They paused briefly at the Badger’s Sett, not for a drink but to allow Clyde to catch up - he’s much faster up the hills than down! Next, the brisk Westerly wind soon drove them to Rothley whereupon they continued across the Soar to Cossington. Here they took Platts Lane to Sileby, passing Eric’s house and then right at King Street, up the hill to Seagrave. The gentle incline along Berrycott Lane, and the assisting Westerly, jollied them along to Six Hills and the Race Hub.
Hastily locking their bikes outside as the raw, biting wind tore across the ice-cold lake, they scurried into the warm cafe. Now suitably supplied with food and drink, chatting and luxuriating in the cosy interior, while outside the wind howled, there would doubtless be a reluctance to leave. However, according to the old adage, time and tide and Marcus wait for no man, and shortly they shuffled out to face the elements and the camera for the customary piccy. The return leg, into the teeth of the freezing wind, retraced their outward route as far as Six Hills, where Tricia departed homeward along Paudy Lane while the others went onward to Wymeswold. They joined the A60 at Hoton whence considerable effort was required to combat the headwind downhill to Cotes. The group then began to disperse as they approached Loughborough, arriving at about 13.00. Total distance approx. 30 miles (~20 out & ~10 back).
Long Ride
With the leader’s last minute arrival the other seven on the long ride were able to set off – Alan, Graham, John, Brian, Howard, Philip, Mick and just arrived Keith. The route was through the posh lands – Quorn, Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves, up Maplewell Road. There was much relief that we did not carry on up Priory Lane, but right and left and so to Copt Oak and the A50. We then entered the pit lands, going through Stanton, Thornton, Bagworth, Merry Lees before arriving at Desford. There was some consternation as going quickly downhill into Thornton we realised the water running across the road still had icy patches, but everyone stayed on.
The Food Room at Desford was new to most, and serves good cake. It was here that we realised that we did remember John after his 5-week layoff, but that growing the beard had fooled us for a bit. Emerging from our break we found the sun had gone on it’s break, and did not reappear until Markfield. Meanwhile the lack of café facilities had been solved at the roadside by Philip. Accounts vary as to whether the audience to this relief operation were equine or the nearby bungalow! During the following mandatory photo shoot a lady leaned out of her upstairs window and offered to take one to include us all, but we politely (?) declined.
Approaching Field Head the group split up and the A50 was breached at about 3 different places. Regrouping we headed of home via Newton Linford, up Sharpley Hill, down to the Brand and back through the posh lands. This was only punctuated by regular stops for Keith as his rear tyre started splitting and deflating. About 32 miles and 2164 ft of climbing.