Wednesday 27th November 2019
Post date: 26-Nov-2019 17:10:47
A dull, dank, overcast, misty and drizzly late November morning produced a surprisingly good turnout resulting in the necessity to split into three groups again.
Shorter Ride
Rob, Rosalind, Patrick, Clyde, Rob, Myles, Mick, John and Lyn decided to keep to the high ground as they were uncertain as to the state of the floods in the Soar Valley. So once again they set out through the University and climbed up to Shepshed negotiating the road works associated with the new Garendon development. The fog/mist at this stage reduced visibility to the point where riders felt it necessary to turn on lights. From Shepshed they took the more direct route to Long Whatton via Smithy Lane. The group then climbed Kegworth Lane to the by-pass before descending to some welcome refreshments in Oakland in Kegworth. After consuming a number of sausage rolls the riders returned along the same route to Long Whatton and then returned to Loughborough via Hathern.
Intermediate RideKeith, Marcus and Rob opted for Jeff’s intermediate ride to Wellington’s Cafe & Bistro in Bradmore. So, with dismal, damp weather for company, they crossed town to Meadow Lane, exiting Loughborough towards Stanford on Soar. Here the surroundings took on a distinctly more gloomy character with a fairly dense shroud of mist obscuring the scenery. Just before crossing the bridge over the river Soar they encountered their first, and fortunately only, flooded section of road. Undeterred by a few inches depth of flood water, they continued through Stanford onto Normanton Lane and up Fox Hill, the first ‘biggy’ climb of the ride. From Normanton they took Butt Lane, surfaced with potholes, crumbling tarmac and plenty of muddy water, of course.
The ensuing, long, steady ascent brought them up onto the A6006 whence they turned right and then left onto Travell’s Hill to East Leake. From there they headed Northwards along Gotham Road, over the Great Central Railway line, complete with parked up freight train at the Gypsum Works, and then right onto Bunny Lane. Joining the busy A60 at Bunny they sought out the quiet, unnamed single track road that hugs Fairham Brook to Wysall Road. A left turn then put them on the road to the refreshments stop in Bradmore. Here the spectacle of their soggy, mud-splattered day-glo costumes was alone sufficient to reap the 10% cyclist discount at the cash registers. The return journey began by retracing the outward route as far as Fairham Brook and then continuing along Wysall Road to Wysall. The road here was exceptionally wet and muddy as well as deceptively hilly. Just by the churchyard in Wysall they turned left onto Wymeswold Road. Again a bit more hill climbing was required before they eventually reached Wymeswold. From here they took the direct route via Hoton and Cotes, arriving in Loughborough at about 12.20. Total ride distance approx. 26 miles (14 out and 12 back).
Long ride report (Report by Phil).One of the mysteries of life is how a request can be completely forgotten and banished from the mind. In any case, what a lovely ride we had last week! I recall Eric Mick Terry and many others (Brian and Howard) riding out in glorious sunshine , or not! In fact it was misty; yes i remember it well. There were six of us, no seven;(5) yes i remember it well, For the route, consult the map. The only point to note is that having reached the outskirts of Billesdon, and somewhat tired, we crossed the A47 and cheered when we realised that following a descent into the village, we would need to climb again to reach the other side of the village and return to the A47, before coffee. At coffee in a converted barn, i managed to secure a table, only to be asked by Eric for some help at the Christmas lunch to rearrange some furniture..... I recall a number of convenience stops and 40 odd miles later we were back in Loughborough. I grovel in mortification to all my loyal readers and can only assure you that my failure to recall details, or even to remember that I had been asked to write the report, is not a result of terminal ennui, let alone end of term itis. Rather a case of acceptance that one ear has been worn out...