Wednesday 9th September 2020

Howard promised a 60km ride out to the garden centre at Swarkestone, and Mick, Alan, Marcus, Brian and I (Keith) signed up. After a meander through the University and estate we merged with Terry’s group as we headed for the Garendon trail to Shepshed. It was during this that the rain started, and various weather apps were given low scores, but I must say the Met Office got it spot (sorry) on – well they should. The groups separated and we headed via Belton towards Tonge. The question was posed “How do you pronounce it – tong, tongue, tongy? We weren’t turning into Tonge village so we all shot past the gravelly left turn, and on to Isley Walton, past Donington Park and into Kings Newton. By now the sun was out but the group was beginning to get stroppy (“What – 40 minutes still to coffee?”, “Only averaging 11mph”), but we kept going into the headwind. A pleasant detour towards Ingleby avoided crossing Swarkestone Bridge and we were soon at our café. Mick led us, with bikes, all through the garden centre to park out the back in a staff only area but no one bothered us. Good but fairly expensive was the judgement on the refreshments, and then we were heading back along the Trent with the wind behind us through Weston and Aston to Shardlow. Howard did his normal wizard navigation through the twists and turns of the cycle paths around Junction 24 to Kegworth, then Sutton Bonington. I turned off to Zouch and home as the others headed for Normanton and Fox Hill to L’boro, so I assume they all got home. Sorry Brian I missed most of you off the photo!

Intermediate Ride: Report by David.

It had been announced by the government that more restrictive rules on gatherings would be introduced next week, although we are not sure how that will apply to groups like ours.

The day started warm and bright as weather forecasts had predicted. After some negotiation of roles, the intermediate ride set off with Terry leading. Following quickly to reserve our places were David, Pat, Clyde and Rob.

The five of us proceeded to Shepshed via the Garendon estate. We were trailed by a cloud as we headed for the Cloud Trail, and either the cloud descended on us or actual rain made us wet by the time we crossed the M1 bridge.

Meanwhile the more numerous riders from the long ride caught us up. There was briefly an opportunity for riders to jump ship, before the more seasoned group made their way north. Cutting across Shepshed via Lansdowne Road, we took Hallamford Road for the track, Carr Lane without many cars or clouds by this stage, through to Belton. The fivesome then went right on Mill Lane and followed through to the roundabout at the end of Gelscoe Lane (next to the M42). Instead of going through Tonge, we turned down Top Brand where the double lines in the centre of the road gave the fleets of quarry lorries few opportunities to overtake us. Opposite Breedon Lane is a crumbly track that leads down, past some statues of B1 series battle droids, and around the quarry. We stopped for a look into the vast and active quarry, before proceeding along the Cloud trail towards Derby. There was a tight bend uphill to get onto Stocking Lane that left us suddenly searching for lower gears. Then we got a good view of Breedon-on-the-Hill as we crossed the bridge over the M42 before re-joining the Cloud Trail. This long stretch of quiet track gave us talking time before we emerged onto Melbourne Road. Passing north of Melbourne as the sun shone, we enjoyed the sight of old English villages of Kings Norton, Stanton by Bridge and Ingelby, with views of the meandering River Trent. But we needed to climb a few hills to get to these vantage points. Having emerged at Ticknall we could say that we were nearly at our destination of Calke Abbey café. The 210 hectares of park means that there was still some cycling to do – about a third of it to get to the porter’s lodge, only to be told that we shall not pass. Never mind, as we battled past the 12 o’clock intake of visitors along the single track back to Ticknall, I would say Calke’s loss is Scoff and Shop’s gain. We found a small area of grass with a pair of long seats for refreshments. I recommend the bread pudding.

The return journey was fast, although Terry had to retrieve a venerable map to get us back to where we had intended to be.

Passing Calke village we turned right onto the B587, via Lount and Newbold to the B5324 Ashby Road, onto which we turned left. The group kept to this road until we said farewell to Pat at the top of Carr Lane.

From here the remaining four retraced our outbound route to Loughborough.

We covered 38.7 miles via many peaceful tracks, ascended 2057 feet, and were home at about 2 pm. (Addendum: It appears as though the Intermediate ride turned out to be longer than the Long ride. -Howard)

Short Ride: Report by Eric

As the groups gathered at Holt Drive there was a whisper of concern as to who would lead the short ride in the absence of John. No leader emerged and the concerned mounted. Then, well after the Carillion had struck 9.30am a puffing panting rotund figure in red, hove into view. As the spectacle came slowly closer under the helmet the face (now as red as his shirt) appeared to be the the long forgotten Eric.

Lockdown and a prolonged building project had clearly not been kind to a man who clearly needs exercise more than most. The last 4 months apparently had been sat out on his bed eating far too many pies!

Trish, Rob P and Mick had opted (now with some regret) for the the short ride and puzzled how their leader was chosen and wondered if there was some short straw selection involved. Anyway, long after the other groups had departed and with the promise of a pleasant short ride to Beacon hill cafe in prospect the 4 set off down Beacon road towards the town, through the market place and heading up church gate and onto Nottingham road to Cotes. At Cotes they turned right and up until this point all was well. The plan was to travel to Mountsorrel via Barrow, but at this point the Red man turned round, surveyed his troops and seeing them to be a group of fit and healthy specimens, decided to extend the ride and hung a left up Bandalls lane!

What he had failed to take into account was his own lack of fitness!

They continued to Walton and turned a left up Six Hills road. They climbed the short sharp hill without incident and rode along the beautiful lane albeit now in a light drizzle.

The lane turns into a track and this was a bit wetter under tyre than expected. Rob was not happy! You don’t buy an expensive Ribble gravel bike and expect some fool to lead you up a dirt track!

At the top of the track there is a gate and once through it there is a right turn that oddly takes you across a very short field section and onto the top of Paudy lane. Turning left here and after a short distance the small group turned right down an LWC favourite, Berrycote lane, and took a lovely ride down there to Seagrave. In Seagrave the cyclists wondered why each house had a scarecrow standing guard including facsimiles of Harry Potter, The Gingerbread man and Bob the builder.

Passing on they went on down Seagrave road into Sileby and turning left by St Mary’s church, down Mountsorrel Road They finally got back onto their original route.

As they passed the Waterside pub in Mountsorrel they turned right onto the old A 6 and at the mini roundabout turned left. This road leads up past the quarry and avoiding quarry trucks takes you up hill on to Bond lane, past Mountsorrel railway station up to Swithland lane. It was here that the man charge chickens came home to roost. Having adding incremental miles and hills and having done nothing but eat and drink for 4 months he blew up and if it had not been for the encouragement of his more than generous fellows would have given up there and then. He struggled to the top and turning left then immediately right they whizzed down Kinchley lane to Swithland reservoir. Round the Res and onto another dirt track much to Robs annoyance they went along Rushey lane until it meets Brand lane. Here they turned left and proceeded up hill. At this slight incline Eric continued to struggle but when they turned right up Brand hill past the Wheatsheaf pub, his exhaustion was almost complete. Trish and Rob scooted up to the top leaving an overly generous Mick to kindly encourage him all the way to the top.

As they cruised down into Woodhouse Eaves it was left only to contemplate the brutality of the final drag up the first sharp incline of Breakback Road that stood in the way of much needed refreshment. Every painful push of the pedals was felt in fatigued legs, and the sight of The Beacon Lower car pack and the wooden cabin housing the cafe beyond was a most welcome sight.

The sight of their leader almost unable to climb the steps of the cafe to gain sustenance in coffee and tea cake was a sight to behold. Hopefully his folly of adding extra miles to the plan will never be repeated. Once revived somewhat there was a remounting that was done a little gingerly, and off they went back downhill towards Old Woodhouse and onto Quorn where the merry band and their chastened captain split up and went their various ways... a lesson to us all

“Don’t bite off more than you can chew because nobody looks attractive spitting it back out” (Carroll Bryant)