Wednesday 24th October 2018
Post date: 23-Oct-2018 18:06:29
Long Ride Report: A blustery and dull morning saw around 19 optimistic cyclists assemble at the now famous Outwoods Road roundabout.
With John absent and Howard feeling tender after having been used as a human pincushion in the university research labs the previous day, I had come forward when a volunteer to lead the long ride had been asked for. I used to ride weekly (or was that weakly) with this group, but am now only an occasional visitor, my retirement having taken on something of a "semi" status of late. I understand there are now blue tablets that can help with that, but I digress... Anyway, this being half term week in Leicester, my usual cycle instructor duties were not required, although quite why Howard would imagine me capable of leading a team of adults when I struggle to teach a gaggle of 10 year-olds remains a mystery. And so it came to pass that the unsuspecting Pat, Clyde, Marcus, Rob, David and Alan followed me south from our start point as we made our way through Quorn to Barrow over the footbridge and slabs, (which are no longer slabs at all), then headed through Sileby and Cossington before turning left to climb Humble lane and regroup before heading under the A46 and onto East Goscote. Mindful of the events a couple of weeks previous, and not being a seasoned leader, I diligently kept my posse in sight at that stage and we continued eastwards along cycle paths and lanes, with a pleasant tail wind pushing us towards Ashby Folville, our furthest point from home. Turning South towards South Croxton and relaxing into my leadership role, I exchanged some banter with Alan about how funny it was that a couple of weeks ago he and Phil got separated from the rest of the team. Turning to check the other 5 following, I saw the swarthy figure or Rob panting behind us, and behind him, nothing!
So we paused at the forebodingly named Willows Natural Burial Ground and waited for the other 4 to catch up. 5 minutes passed, still nothing. A mounting panic began to build in my mind. Had all they been mowed down by that impatient tractor that just passed us? Had they had a mechanical? Had they just given up and headed for home? So we turned back and as we crested the first brow we were relieved to see them heading towards us. All was well but they'd lost sight of us and had paused at the junction before the one we'd been waiting at. How we laughed and how I didn't get ribbed at all about my comment on whatsapp about not losing the group. Clyde had tried to call me, but being an irresponsible leader I'd left my mobile phone at home!
Anyway, regrouped again we headed West now into a moderate headwind but driven by the promise of coffee we made good progress through Beeby to Barkby and our refreshment stop, the Mash Tun, which is a converted double decker bus. Bacon cobs, cake, coffee and tea were all gratefully gobbled down as we sat in the lovely sunshine. The cappuccino was like no other cappuccino we'd seen, but at least we got an extra one free due to a kitchen malfunction.
Back on the bikes then and through Syston and a bit of national route 48 took us to the canal towpath north towards Cossington. Rather than retrace our steps we turned left towards Rothley and then right at the Red Lion onto the old A6 which we followed through Mountsorrel and Quorn, where we were almost taken out by an impatient bus, followed by an even more impatient car. We paused at the Quorndon Fox to go our separate ways, myself turning left to take the track to Woodhouse, Pat turning right via Barrow to Wymeswold, the remainder onwards to Loughborough.
All in all a pleasant ride on what turned out to be a lovely day. I reckon about 32 miles; I clocked 35 but that was from and to home in Woodhouse Eaves. We came within spitting distance of Melton and also of Leicester and even those I lost half way round were still speaking to me at the end.
Short Ride Report: In John’s absence I arrived at Outwoods Drive roundabout a few minutes earlier than usual. Good I thought not many here. Graham arrived shortly after to lead the long ride. I was really pleased he’d volunteered to lead the long ride and complete a (most excellent) ride report. More and more riders then arrived and by 9: 30 we were 19 in number. Graham’s group comprised of seven and on the short we were (of course) twelve.I can’t remember all the names and so won’t try to list them all here. Twelve is a large group, I needed a fast rider to act as back marker. Fortunately Phil was available to take up the post. Making sure no one dropped off the back and to let me know if anyone had a mechanical. We set of up Outwoods Road, interestingly a route many had not been on, turning left at the top on Valley Rd., and on through Mucklin Wood. A pleasant, quiet start to the day. The roads were fairly quiet which was good having such a long tail of riders can upset some car drivers. Swithland followed Woodhouse, where we turned left onto Swithland Rd. to Rothley Station and our coffee stop at Ellis Tea Room. I think we were their first customers of the day and we were promptly attended to. There was a bit of an international flavour to our group having three people from Brazil. They enjoyed the opportunity to have a taste of an ‘English’ breakfast, one having a bacon and egg bap whilst another had scrambled eggs on toast. I didn’t dare ask them though, what they thought of our coffee. This was a good opportunity for the group photo and I believe I’ve got everybody’s smiling face, one two three… good no one missing. Leaving the Tea Rooms its a little tricky crossing the junction at the top. Patrick, being on home turf, had already identified this a problem and positioned himself nearer to the railway bridge to see better any traffic coming in our direction. On his instruction we crossed onto Swithland Lane as a group with no problems. Thank you Patrick. We made our way back quite rapidly it being downhill mostly, especially by the quarry down into Quorn. We then continued on a now familiar route along the old A6 through to Epinal Way. Various riders departed from the group to return home as we returned to our starting point. A short but very pleasant ride we were back before 12 noon well in time for PMQs as Ray would say.
For the record the riders were Pat, Clyde, Rob, David, Alan, Marcus, Graham, Denniel, Gustavo, Carol, Paul, Gill, Anne, Phil, David, Rosalind, Myles, Patrick and Howard.[john].