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Post date: 19-Jun-2018 06:44:45
Tuesday 19th June 2018 will be a date to be remembered when there comes a time to write the chronicles of the Loughborough Wednesday Cyclists. Firstly you will note that it is NOT a Wednesday but secondly that the event that took place on that day was so significant it should never be forgotten. What happened from 8am that morning and in the subsequent 38 hours was the stuff of legends. Such is the popularity of the group, such is its influence and such is its force for good, it can now not only boast a weekly turnout of 15 or more on a regular basis but it has taken to having an incremental summer tour. This group takes in the elderly, the unfit, the lame and even dare I say it the over indulged. It turns out highly motivated highly tuned Athletes prepared to take on great feats of human endurance. Last year there was the day trip to Café Ventoux which proved to be such a success that the clamour was for more ... in true Olympian spirit, further, higher, faster! Well further we certainly got and possibly, faster. Higher would be stretching it.
It was in the minds of Derek and Howard that this tour was conceived and it is on such tortured souls me must heap our praise, admiration and thanks. Thanks firstly for its conception, planning, recruiting and execution. A sub group of 7 had been recruited, cajoled and persuaded with promise of a lot of cake and beer. Skegness was to be the destination, chosen for its proximity to the sea, it's largely flat route to get there and the lure of a vibrant night-life. It was Howard of course who planned the route in meticulous detail, even giving the tourists an option of 4 routes at a meeting he convened in The Apple Tree in Quorn. Route 4 was chosen ...it was shorter at 146 km, only climbing near the beginning and good rest stops available. Derek had organised the Accommodation. More of that later.
The chosen day finally arrived and three met at 8am at Outwoods Drive, two in Quorn and picking up the final two in Barrow at the Fossil roundabout. An apt place for this group to meet was the cruel remark. We set off out of Barrow on a familiar route up to Six Hills, very rapidly passing one of our regular haunts, the Race Hub. There was some twitching of handlebars towards the left by those with a Pavlovian disposition, but the first stop was a long way yet. We had many miles and much more climbing to get under the wheels and into our legs before we could afford that luxury.
A long slow steady climb until we crossed the A606 and beyond, which was thankfully quieter after the crossroads. We finally turned right and down Ironstone lane and onto Scalford. Through this pretty village and moving on to Waltham on the Wolds via Wycomb and the Goadby Road. The set up during these early stages was interesting. Howard's leadership has been questioned in the past but you can now see the dividend has paid off, with all those years of tutelage under John. He allowed the peloton to be led out by the two power houses in the pack, Vic and Phil ably assisted by Jeff. At this stage we must make special mention of Jeff. Jeff had turned up at Outwoods Drive as an extraordinary sight. Firstly in his lurid lime green shirt and what can only be described as casual khaki trousers, he looked like he was turning up to a Jamaican beach party rather than for a 90 mile bike ride. Secondly he came on a fold up Kansi bicycle with 2 gears and a back brake that worked by back pedaling. Concerned more about the train journey home than his own health and welfare on the ride, his efforts that day on what is essentially a commuter bike were nothing short of titanic. Howard slotted in at 4th place. Eric had to be encouraged all the way along near the tail as he had only come for the cake and beer, released from the diet for a day, he was unaware how far Skegness was and cared even less if shortbread and cream teas were allowed. Derek kept him motivated and Clyde ensured there were no laggards as back marker.
We crossed the A607 and into Waltham village and onto our first stop. The Waltham deli sold good coffee and lovely confections. The 2 girls serving were lovely and obligingly listened to our nonsense chatter and refilled our water bottles. We stood outside in the sunshine and contemplated there was still more than 75% of the journey to go.
Back on the bikes we got and off we went waving a fond farewell and a big thank you to our hosts. Through Stonesby, Sproxton and Buckminster we went on a splendid ride. We felt good, the sun was out and the roads were quiet. As we past The Tollemache Arms a middle aged woman in a canary yellow Mustang took exception to our riding and roared by with blaring horn. A rude gesture and a harsh word was exchanged but Derek quipped "what's Mustang Sally's problem?" The Stainby road proved to be busy and full of trucks heading for the A1. After Stainby we headed for Colsterworth and had hardly passed the sign to Isacc Newton’s gaff, and were still on conversations of falling apples when there was a crunch from Howard's bike as we climbed a hill. Helped by Jeff and Vic, Howard dug his chain out from whence it had jammed itself and we headed along the busy road across the A1 and an unpleasant stretch beyond.
Fortunately it was not too long before we came to Corby Glen and more importantly an early lunch. The March Hare tea rooms was the excellent venue. We sat at the tables outside and a variety of doorstep sandwiches, baguettes and toast was ordered and consumed. Entomologists from around the globe would have flocked to see the wildlife that was attracted to Jeff’s shirt, some of which clung on for dear life for several miles later. When the regulars on motor scooters turned up for their lunch, bikes had to be moved, so we took the opportunity to move on. We carried on through the beautiful Irnham and Bulby. We crossed the A15 and headed on the long slog to Boston. There was a wardrobe malfunction and Eric needed to remove uncomfortable undergarments. If anyone is on that road to Boston in the near future and sees a pair of green Slazenger briefs in the hedge, he asks if they could be returned as they are likely to be dry by now. For a while at this stage we were joined by a new honorary temporary member Brian who had been riding out from Spalding with his Grandad when the latter had a mechanical breakdown. Saying goodbye to Brian we finally entered a rather down at heel Boston. Into the town centre we took root next to The Stump in the nearest café, Seventh Heaven. That's where we certainly seemed to be when the tea and cakes arrived. The two nice Polish girls behind the counter looked after us well and once again kindly filled our water bottles. We got going again and once out of a rather dull town we were into the badlands of the fens. What this country lacks in exciting features it made up for in ideal cycling topography. Straight, flat and fast and we certainly got some speed up with Vic and Phil driving the pace up to 17 miles an hour. Tiring legs still coped with the pace even if pain in other areas was increasing. With about 20 miles to go Phil decided that the hitherto slow pace for him could not be borne any more. Either that or the call of the pub was insisting he made a breakout. Off he went into the distance.
10 miles out we stopped for a roadside pit stop at a conveniently placed dung heap. Fluid was taken on board and Derek even got out the motivational emergency jelly beans. Eventually we came through Burgh le Marsh and joined the A158, a very busy road taking us into the centre of Skegness. We passed our hotel and onto the clock tower for photos. We arrived at 5.25pm nearly 9 and a half hours after setting off. More photos by the Jolly Fisherman. The physical side of the tour was over, the relaxation was to follow.
We went back to the Grand Hotel, run by our German host Andreas and his wife from Hamilton in Leicester. They were both very pleasant and welcoming. Bikes were locked in a secure shed.
Once shown to our rooms we sat in the bar to await our support team with bags. Rosalind who had been on secret government business all day, kindly broke off to drive to the coast with the necessary gear. Once showered we walked down the front and the 8 of us indulged in what we had all come for ...Fish and Chips. After dinner Rosalind drove Clyde and Phil home with bikes on the towbar rack. The rest decided that the hostelries had to be sampled. The Red Lion, The Lumbly and Churchill’s were all checked out and found to be very satisfactory. The evening was finished off with an entertaining trip to Yates Karaoke bar. Here several songs were butchered by Derek and Eric to the bemusement of Howard and Vic. Eric decided what he lacked in talent on the microphone should be made up for in quantity, whilst the locals did their best to keep him off. Video evidence exists but negotiations are taking place for how much money would need to change hands to keep it from the public domain. Jeff had sensibly retired early. Finally we returned to the hotel at approximately 2am for much needed rest.
The morning saw an excellent breakfast at The Grand and a parting of the ways. Jeff caught the early train to Nottingham. Eric and Vic catching the later train, went for a stroll on a deserted beach. The train was a 2 hour journey followed by a 20 mile grind home into the wind carrying bags that were brought by car on the outward leg. It was tough after 90 miles the previous day and the celebrations of the evening.
However once the amateurs had all gone the hard core remained. The two men who had originally conceived this plan did not think trains should be part of it. "Trains are for wimps, if you don't cycle back then you haven’t done the tour" was the attitude. Into what is best described as a very stiff south westerly these two men of steel set off on a longer journey home. Mallory and Irvine or Scott and Oates spring to mind except they perished in the attempt. These two battled through and survived to tell the tale. Frontiersmen of the Hillary and Tensing or Carson and Fremont variety, to whom giving in is not an option. Only they can tell that tale but 12 hours and 17 minutes later they arrived home. They had travelled 108 miles into a brutal wind and burned 4 and half thousand calories in the attempt.
Massive respect to Derek and Howard for their Herculean effort and massive thanks to them for their time and commitment in the organisation of the tour. Also thanks to Rosalind for her support because carrying bags would have made the trip a less pleasant experience.
Hopefully next year we can do something similar. I am sure there will be much discussion over coming Wednesdays what that may be. A great day out guys -thanks.
Regards Eric
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