Wednesday 5th August 2020

Howard arrived at Holt drive declaring a ride to Twyford, methinks 240 miles there and back (Hampshire) a bit far, John came to my rescue asking for an intermediate ride about 30 miles, phew! thank goodness for that. Apparently there is a Twyford in Leicestershire about 12 miles away. Rob, Robert and Keith volunteered to be led by Terry to Staunton Harold, the fools. Just after Howard left for Leicestershire Twyford we were dispatched to staunton Harold, leaving John to organise the rest. Across the Greenbelt to Epinal Way, we weren't lost yet. When we reached Braddon Road Keith realised his folly and took the lead through the new Dishley estate to the A6. A battle of Wills ensued, but as there was only a Rob, Robert, Keith and Terry no Wills it did not last long.Onto Hathern it was suggested there was a good watering hole on the main road and we could stop there but Robert stated it was too early for a stop, Keith, very Hobbit like argued it was NEVER too early for second breakfast!. Long Whatton and Diseworth went in a flash. Left after Diseworth and up the hill, I hate that hill I don't think Rob was too keen either as Robert wizzed passed saying it was easier near the white line, and on through Tonge, Breedon and just missing Calke to the Ferrers Centre at Staunton Harold. The cafe was only serving outside, the servery now has a perspex screen and looked like a bank and with our masks on we could easily have robbed it, cakes and scones are better than money anyway. Having refreshed ourselves it was immediately up the short steep hill out of the estate, that soon wears off any extra calories. Onto Worthington, Belton, Shepshed where Robert left us for the coffee stop we didn't use in Hathern. We returned to Loughborough via Garendon Park Keith departed at Knighthorpe Road leaving Rob and I to finish the ride, Rob bottled out on Forest Road. Which left Terry as a proper leader should to finish the ride at Holt Drive.

Long Ride: report by Howard

Having convinced Bryan that the ride would be about 35 miles and not 37 he decided to tag along with us, on the 'long ride', more on that later. Bryan made up the six that's myself, Tricia, Pat, Margaret, and Mick altogether. We set off exiting Holt Drive square via Outwards Drive roundabout and then my now usual route to One Ash Roundabout avoiding most of Epinal Way. From here it was onto Barrow and Sileby and then up a couple of hills to go under the A46 and down to East Goscote and Rearsby and taking Gaddesby Lane to err... Gaddesby. Ashby Folville next and turning of on the Gated road, (which is where the photo was taken) we took the slightly longer way into Twyford. Here was our third hill of the day up to Hollands Nurseries. Which it transpired, was closed until further notice. I had phoned them the day before and left a message for them to call me which they hadn't by the time I'd set off, that should have been a clue. After a qick conflab and looking at the map we thought we'd look out for a cafe on the way back. Trundling along the Leicester, S. Croxton Twyford Road, Mick suggest we head of down to Hungarton (V. nice downhill), and then over Queniborough Brook before the (inevitable) uphill past Baggrave Hall. We paused here by the second cattle grid to have a rest and some refreshment before continuing up the hill. Barkby followed Beeby and Hungerton. At Barkby we stopped at the nursery where the red bus used to be for a long overdue coffee/Tea, Bryan thought he'd give it a miss, as by now we were going to be well past the original estimate of 35 miles and he wanted to be back by 1 'ish and it was already 5 past 12. No doubt he switched on his motor to cover the distance left at a quicker pace. Having rested and drunk our coffees / teas we returned via Queniborough, East Goscote, Cossington, Sileby to Mount Sorrel and the old A6 back.

We covered a bit more than the original intended route, I noted 40 miles as must have everyone else except Pat, who having travelled from and to return to Wymeswold most likely would be up near if not over 50.

As an addendum, Hollands Nurseries called me back at 4 in the afternoon to tell me they were shut, however as a heads up to everyone else they also added that the cafe was now unlikely to open again now until March 2021.