Wednesday 27th May 2020
Post date: 26-May-2020 08:51:51
Really long ride report for Rosalind and Philip.Due to an essential lawnmower pick up, a Garmin malfunction and a left turn mix up, our ride didn't really get started until 11am and resulted in Rosalind doing 54 miles and Philip doing 64, though his Strava/Garmin says 49!
Our route took us up Paudy Lane out of Barrow and onto Six Hills Lane. We passed the Race Hub and Nice Pie and continued out towards Belvoir Castle, stopping in Stathern for a coffee at the only village shop that we passed on our epic journey. Somewhere near the castle, we took an unassuming little right turn and ascended Terrace Hill, apparently the 29th steepest hill in the UK. And yes, we did have to get off, but not for as long this time as last time.
Once over the top we took a right down some lovely gated roads towards Eastwell, Grimston, the most wonderfully named Goadby Marwood, Scalford, Ab Kettleby, Saxelby, Frisby, Hoby, Thrussington, Ratcliffe and onto the Humble, which brought us out in Cossington and home through Sileby, Mountsorrel and Quorn. No other refreshments could be purchased, but fortunately we had just about enough snacks and drinks to keep us going. We sat at various benches and at book/bus stops to consume them. On arrival home, several pints of water were drunk. Back for just after 5pm - almost the longest ride I have ever done and Philip's 100kms (if Strava/Garmin had worked!)
Solo Intermediate Ride Report – By David
With the sun blazing through and the cat wanting an early breakfast, I was keen to get out on the bike and enjoy the countryside while it was yet cool.
I chose a route out to Isley Walton via Breedon, via the National cycle route 6. I am not a paid subscriber to Strava, so was trying to find alternatives; but had to reset my Garmin as one of the route files corrupted it. It may be best to take the 60-day free offer.
One thing for sure is that there is no shortage of traffic on the roads now. However, the University was completely deserted. On the Ashby Road approaching the M1, there were lorries coming and going where we are supposed to dismount. The truck stop had a continuous flow of lorries. But that is nothing compared to the procession of heavy lorries using most of the roads around Breedon.
There were also plenty of cyclists, and a few dog walkers.
Upon arriving at Belton, I took a route through the village to get to Gracedieu Lane. My path down Sadlers Wells was blocked by a lorry unloading, which was just as well, since that was the wrong way. The peaceful village of Osgathorpe almost tempted me to get out the camera, to photograph the sheep in the meadow; but the picture would have been dominated by nearby building work.
I crossed the B5324 and entered Top Brand. From here, I took the familiar route through Tonge, then up the hill towards Breedon, taking the Main Street hill to Wilson. From Wilson, I turned to Isley Walton. There were drivers in OpenReach vans coming in opposite directions, so they stopped for a chat - only a short one, as they might not be on the best tariff. I waited, then carried on my way past the Donnington Park entrance. A rasping Vauxhall waited for me to pass, then took off pouring smoke into the air. My next navigational error was not due to being unable to see the road, but in interpreting my damp printed map.
Anyway, having turned down the A453 instead of up, I then needed to get to Diseworth the long way. The route back through Diseworth, Long Whatton and Hathern was quick. My route back did not take me past Aldi, but I manged to pick up a bottle of Grüner Veltliner last week – just have not had the chance to drink it yet. I arrived close to home having ridden 27.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 1525 ft, and took 2 hour 13 minutes of overall time.
John's Short Ride
Decided to head north west and went out through the University heading for Shepshed. Had not been up the extended Oakwood Drive and decided to explore. No doubt nearly everyone already new this, but you can now cut through to Ashby Road near the Old Ashby Road traffic lights. This should provide a quiet route away from the main road in future. Carried on out through Shepshed and on to Belton then as far as Top Merrill where i took a right for Diseworth. It was then easy cycling to Long Whatton where coffee and cake were "taken away" from the village shop. After the refreshment interlude in the sun carried on through Zouch to Normaton on Soar where I stopped to check out the church yard of St James Church which I have never visited before. A very attractive location to be buried in. It was then home along Meadow Lane.
The Human Seasons
By John Keats
Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;
There are four seasons in the mind of man:
He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear
Takes in all beauty with an easy span:
He has his Summer, when luxuriously
Spring's honied cud of youthful thought he loves
To ruminate, and by such dreaming high
Is nearest unto heaven: quiet coves
His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings
He furleth close; contented so to look
On mists in idleness—to let fair things
Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.
He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,
Or else he would forego his mortal nature.
