Wednesday 15th April 2020
Post date: 14-Apr-2020 16:07:14
Intermediate ride report, by Philip Hamson
Despite nearly confusing Tuesday with Wednesday, the intermediate ride today was on! Seeking relief from the punishing round of yoga with Adrienne, and Jo Wickes HIT training, punctuated with continued painting of the outside of the house, your correspondent set off in shorts and tee in chilly bright sunshine. From Epinal way the ride continued along the dual carriage way to the Barrow turn. How many more times will it be safe to do this before traffic returns to its usual level? The solitary blue and white training shoe in the narrow lane has still not been claimed. Over the bridge in Barrow, temporary lights were encountered around the dinosaur island. So it was on and down towards Sileby where a resident, not Eric, has mown his lawns, cut the edges and hedges and bagged the clippings for the first time in living memory. Past Eric's dwelling, the sun continued to shine and a second set of temporary lights were encountered entering Cossington. Through the village and turn right down the lane past the rugby club.The climb up to the lights in Rothley was not demanding but the driver of the car who passed me, was not happy to be passed in return at the lights. The wind now behind me, some strava PBs were gained on the old A6 back into loughborough. Unbelievably, my strava total for this year remains above that which I achieved at the same stage last year. I seem to recall an awful lot of rainy days early last year.
Short Ride Report, by Howard Lynn and I opted for a short ride to Kegworth today. Using the cycle path on the left side of the A6 we headed North. On reaching the Kegworth bypass road we chose to turn left on the bypass and used the cycle path / pavement as far as the left turn to Long Whatton. So left it was down to Long Whatton and then left at the bottom past the Post Office and Farm Shop, briefly turning off down Mill Lane for a photo opportunity before turning round and coming back up to rejoin the road to Hathern. Just as we joined the A6 South on the way back we were passed by Robert. At the top of the climb up to the cross roads in Hathern, Robert had waited for us outside his house. Keeping social distance in mind we had a brief chat with him prior to heading on home. See gallery pictures. For those who may have noticed I was not on my usual bike but was test riding Pat's Claud Butler which performed perfectly and is now ready to be returned to Pat. Lynn was on her electric bike. I'd forgotton my Garmin and only remembered about halfway to Kegworth, so on reaching the layby I used my phone to record the rest of my ride. Consequently on Strava not all the ride we did is actually shown.
Solo ride report from Rosalind:
A beautiful sunny morning allowed an early departure leaving Philip at home again. My new favourite route keeps me close to Loughborough but allows more beautiful countryside, it also makes a heart shape on Strava! South down Epinal Way and onto the A6 dual carriageway for a very short distance because of road closures in Quorn. (I was only passed by 1 car and 1 lorry!) Off into Barrow and left at the dinosaur roundabout and left again passing the school. Out into the beautiful countryside along Cotes Road and through to Stamford. From there back over the Meadows, right passed B&Q and Go Outdoors and round the ring road and home for croissants and fruit for breakfast.
Pictures in the Gallery.
Short Ride Report - JohnHave been out on several rides on the beautiful sunny days we have experienced of late. This one was out towards Six Hills via Barrow and doubling back to Seagrave along Berrycott Lane to Seagrave, then north to Walton, Cotes and (spotting my first bluebells of the year along the way) Stanton returning to Loughborough along Meadow Lane.
