Wednesday 21st August 2019
Post date: 13-Aug-2019 17:35:30
A fairly cool day for August with both clouds and sunshine saw a good turnout.
Short Ride
Marcus, Patrick, Dom ( a new rider), Rosalind, John and Keith headed south through the Shelthorpe estated to Barrow and then up onto the Salt Way (Paudy Lane) which they followed almost to Six Hills, turning down Berrycott Lane back towards Seagrave. Nornally Berrycott Lane is a very quiet narrow country lane with a continuous gentle decent with good views to either side that makes ideal cycling. However on this occasion the group met two tractors with trailers and had to take to the verge twice. After ascending Swan Street in Seagrave the riders found the road to Sileby had been closed for resurfacing. However the groups managed to navigate the various obstacles along this route and arrived safely at the Green Place where several slices of their excellent cakes were sampled. However one of the disadvantages of being close to the natural world was experienced by John who managed to collect several insect bites. The riders returned via Mountsorrel and Quorn arriving back in Loughborough just before noon.
Long Ride
Some nine members of the Wednesday cycling group took the long ride option and rode off into the sunrise leaving behind Terry who immediately prior to departure, discovered a broken brake cable and went home to swap bikes. More of Terry later. With Howard leading, a person new to the long ride, Robert, was one of the seven which included the usual suspects, Rob, Phil, Anne, Brian,Clyde and Eric. We rode through Garendon Park past a delightful Jack Russell and his mistress who stood aside to give us room to pass. We followed the Garendon trail into Belton and passing the village hall to our left, continued along the Garendon Trail through a number of typical N.W. Leics villages to Worthington where to his dismay, Philip's chain fell off. We eventually reached the Staunton Harold coffee stop. Imagine our surprise to find Terry seated and with a coffee, having changed bikes and travelled a more direct route. Eric rearranged the tables and chairs, (as Phil had failed in his usual duties), to give us a suitably large eating area, to avoid any scandal. Following elevenses, we took careful heed of Howard's coaching on slow approach to the very steep hill and nearly all climbed safely to the road. Robert and Terry touched wheels and there was a minor r.t.a. A comment was made I believe about black Lycra but the wearer was deeply into oxygen debt and continued unaware of the observation. At Breedon, Howard mentioned that he wished to find the new premises of a particularly keen priced entrepreneur who had recently had to leave their premises in Breedon but had relocated to Castle Donington. All were invited to opt in for the unplanned exploratory ride to Castle Donington, or to return via Tonge as originally planned for the long ride route. In fact three persons chose to take the exploratory ride with Howard, including Eric, Philip, and Clyde. Brian led the party back on the original planned route via Diseworth and Long Whatton home. Meanwhile the extended ride continued through Isley Walton to Castle Donington and discovered the rustic new premises, “Beth’s Kitchen” on the main road. Thoroughly enjoying the traffic fumes, the four enjoyed another cup of tea and a shared cake. Eric declared that the cherry was his favourite part, and Clyde who had purchased the cake kindly donated it! On leaving Donington, we rode through Hemington and Lockington and past Howard's favourite cycle path taking Long Lane into Kegworth where yet again, a choice was made to ride even further, by taking the road into Sutton Bonnington, Normanton and Fox hill. By which time, average speed was down to single figures. Eric peeled off at Stanton and the survivors returned via the Brush bridge. Report by Philip with some minor corrections and amendments by Eric, and Howard.