2012 Cycle Season
Blue LionIncreasing enthusiasm for fresh air, healthy excercise, good company (and pub lunches) encouraged us to sustain our efforts right from the beginning of the year. For our first ride of the year we set off from John and Jan's home, where we are always assured of a cuppa and biscuits. The route took us from Mountsorrel, through Barrow Upon Soar, then east through Seagrave. 
There were more hills than expected but after crossing the A46 it was all downhill to to the Blue Lion at Thrussington. 
After our lunch nobody fancied returning up the hill to the A46 so we agreed the route back through Ratcliffe on the Wreake, then left down Humble Lane to Cossington, Rothley and back to Mountsorrel. Coach and HorsesWeather on 13th January was very similar - maybe colder, maybe sunnier. Mick Ayriss joined us for the first time, riding Andrew's bike. The saffron line of riders stretched for miles as seven of us took to the hills from Fleckney to the Langtons and then out towards Illeston on the Hill. Enthusiasm took us round the route faster than expected so we had to take a detour to add a few extra miles until the pub opened. All our rides have frequent breaks while we catch our breath, consult the maps and maybe have a snack to keep energy levels high. Our lunch stop on Friday 13th was the Coach and Horses at Kibworth where we were lucky to find that landlord Andrew is a keen motorcycle rider with a Pan European. BluebellWe brought the next run forward one day to 19 January because the weather forecast for Friday wasn't good. It is difficult enough to get to the pub for opening time. We don't need bad weather to handicap us. Setting off from Ian's home in Syston we retraced one of last year's routes in a counter-clockwise direction, passing the pub where we failed to be fed. You can see from the photos that we picked the right day. 
The Bluebell at Hoby has long been a favourite since we finished treasure hunts there in the 60s and held a a reunion there in 2006. This time we had to drink all the bottles on the mantlepiece before we ro\\ed home. WheatsheafOur start was delayed slightly while Dave Parry and Mush made a temporary fix of Mush's crank which had pulled the threads. That gave a bit of extra time for the overnight frost to thaw out. It was blue skies and steep hills until we reached the Wheatsheaf at Thurcaston. We went there last year so this year they locked us out until we promised to behave. On the way back we called in to the Great Central Railway Rothley Station to see if we could catch Ian who had skived off to go to their Gala Day. Quorndon FoxFebruary started with subzero temperatures but bright sunshine. Nine of us took hilly footpaths to Quorn and the short, straight route home along the old A6. Post-lunch tasting indicates that three out of nine people quite like Marmite flavoured milk chocolate. 
Just after being chucked out for rowdyism. Old PloughNot all last minute changes are cancellations. On 10th Feb the rain and snow didn't materialise so, at zero notice, we decided to make our various ways to the Old Plough at Birstall. Bare trees, bright light and a snow backdrop allowed us to spot a woodpecker, a kingfisher, a heron with a huge fish as well as the usual water fowl, Castle HotelFour took to the tracks and roads to cycle round Thornton Reservoir then take a loop through local villages on the way to The Castle Hotel in Kirby Muxloe. Weather was variable and we donned kit on a couple of occasions because of the drizzle. Wheel and CompassThe magnificent seven took to the roads once again to save the Langtons area from an excess of beer and pub food. When we set off it might have been a spring day with sunny skies. 
The return was only slightly inferior to the trip out. It clouded over and threatened rain and we were cycling into a moderate breeze. The killer today was the last hill into Saddington from Smeeton Westerby. Laughs of the day were Bob setting off with his forks round backwards, and Mick putting two cycles on his carrier with the hatch back still open. Brampton HaltEight out this week. The group is expanding as fast as an expectant buffalo and you would be forgiven for thinking we use the same cologne. You could call this one a Foreign Tour because it was entirely in the next county. Passports not required but we carried phrase books in case we met a foo locals. Riding through the tunnel was a case of the blind leading the lost. Out the other end it was like going back into the winter. All the huffing and puffing soon blew away the mists. By eleven o'clock it was a cracking day. Welcome to Chris Edmonds. Hope he knows that he has just joined a group that is harder to get out of than the mafia. At least they have a concrete retirement plan. We are still spot on with our timing. Arrive at ten to, bikes locked up at five to and walk through the door as soon has we hear the bolts slide open. Downhill all the way there and uphill all the way home. Ain't that life? HuntsmanNot as straight and flat as last week despite a section on the Old Fosse Way. Too muddy to go all the way to High Cross. We split the run at Frolesworth into the Quick and the Fast, therefore two mileages in the table at the top of the page. Bob has acquired a super new bike which means the rest of us must now buy sunglasses. Lunch stop was close to the cars so this was an unusually short day out. Red LionNot as sunny as some recent ride outs but at least it was dry and not too windy. The hill out of Huncote soon had us warmed up. A lot of good memories of days spent at Mallory Park. The cafe has many memorable photographs on the walls and we know the stories that go with most of them. Chris was determined to cut the corners on the way home but we were equally determined not to go home until we had been to the pub. Black HorseThursday 22 March and our first ride of Spring. Wow, what a cracking day it was! The regular eight participants started from Ian's and headed out through East Goscote, Thrussington, Hoby, Ragdale. Ian's excellent planning brought us to the Black Horse in Grimston at ten-to-opening, just enough time to lock up the bikes and form a disorderly queue at the door. After an excellent meal (and a few pints) we rolled home. Downhill all the way as usual. Carington ArmsEight riders again, with Andrew Ayriss subbing for Wishbone. Chris planned a 25 mile route in a big circle via Billesdon Coplow and Tilton on the Hill to Ashby Folville. Half way round and half an hour late at the lunch stop we decided to take the quick way home so the mileage was limited to 15 for those starting from South Croxton. A bit further for Ian, Mick and Andrew who cycled out from Syston. Andrew is repossessing his bicycle so next week we expect to see Mick on a new bike. CrownIt was pretty cold for a start, with a bitter wind blowing across the airfield at Stoughton; why they didn't build all the airfields in the middle of a wood and at the bottom of a steep valley, I don't know. Ben began by having a puncture in his back tyre, caused by trying to smuggle a thorn from the aero club. From then on it became an episode of Top Gear, with a breakdown and cycle repair every half mile; mostly adjustments to saddles and gear changers on several bikes. Poor Dave had blisters from opening and closing the straps on his panniers to access his tools. It was remarked that we were averaging ¾mph at one stage. The route (which I have no recollection of due to hyperthermia) must have been very scenic with many steep hills; one of which made Chris's South Croxton hill seem like Amsterdam. We were 'chatted up' by an elderly lady who thought it was unusual for Goadby to be visited by so many good looking men. Then she fell over her white stick. Lunch was taken at the Crown at Tur Langton. Good reports all round, I think. It was suggested here that all pubs should be equipped with a pit for maintenance of push bikes as Mush was seen to be lying on the ground to adjust the gears once more. The last leg of the journey home was along the old Gartree Road. This was the first time I had travelled the road and managed to get out at the other end. I tried on a motorbike some 20 years ago, but got bogged in after a few yards. It may have been a result of the pub visit, I'm not sure, but if you are faced with muddy ruts on a steep hill, then the only illogical thing to do is let go of your brakes and fly down. After all, you are only going to come off once, aren't you? Luckily, nobody did. So hats off to those who made it on racing bikes. - Ian We had more breakdowns on the way back so Dave was forever searching for his tool kit and at the ford on the Gartree Road we were rounded up by four Collie dogs. - Wishbone ShiresOn Ian's birthday we explored Route 6 west from Fleckney to Willoughby Waterleys then Route 50 south to Gilmorton. The eager front runners occasionally let their enthusiasm (for the pub) get the better of them and went for the shortcuts. The morning mist had dispersed by the time we started but it remained dull nearly all the way with just a breath if wind that barely turned two of the four wind turbines near Ashby Magna. We are getting so good at this we had to do extra miles to avoid getting to the pub too early. Not too many miles thougn, the Shires Inn fills up very quickly because of its excellent carvery. There was a bit of sunshine while we were inside scoffing. Once back on the road we ran into a sharp shower. Mustn't grumble though, another good day. Red LionDespite a diabolical weather forecast we set off from Bosworth Battlefield in brilliant sunshine. We were trying to retrace last year's route but with failing memories and poor sense of direction we managed to make up an entirely new route. At least this year we found a pub that served food. Not only that, the Red Lion was already open when we arrived at ten to twelve. While we were scoffing it turned wet but by the time we kitted up and started for home it was sunny again. Wishbone just had a short chance to take some video of our cape-rs. The final ride up the hill to the battlefield car park demands refreshment in the Tithe Barn. Noel ArmsWe had to revert to Plan B. It rained all week so we could not reschedule to a better day. Therefore we donned boots and waterproofs and headed off to explore the Viking Way. (It's the name of the footpath.) The cycle ride that had been so thoroughly planned has been put back to late August. In fact our walk gave us some ideas for other routes. We consoled ourselves with a bistro lunch and a few jars at the Noel Arms, Whitwell. Queens HeadAfter last week's rain we should have expected mud. And, by golly, we had it in spades. One of Ben's famous short-cuts took us far off the beaten track through mud and puddles and added four miles to our route. 
We started too early to get a coffee at Snibston Museum cafe but we managed to get a cuppa before they closed at 4pm. Three HorseshoesThe Motorcycle Reconnaissance Group planned an excellent itinerary exploring Calke Park and Staunton Harold. Luckily they remembered to book the sunny weather to go with it. When we reached Calke Abbey we pushed Wishbone to the front because he had his National Trust card with him ... (or is it Natural Truss?) At the Three Horseshoes in Breedon on the Hill we were met by Tony Loach who came just to enjoy lunch with us before driving back up to Sheffield to meet Val at the station. There's dedication. Boots or SaddlesOn next Friday we are cycling locally starting at 10am from a car park. Let me know your mobile number if you are coming so I can keep you informed of late changes and the location of the pub we go to for lunch. Join our RidesThe core group have past membership of the Leicester Phoenix MCC in common. We share an easy-going nature that makes everyone welcome. Our riding style is similarly easy-going. You will see from the photos that we spend a lot of the time walking up the hills, chatting at the side of the road, posing for glamorous photos and eating bananas. Sometime we ride our bicycles. This isn't a slimming regime due to our lunch stops. Nor is it a keep fit session. The best we can hope is that we are delaying decaying. Our rides are circular. There are lots of options to take a short cut back if your legs are wobbly, your tyre is flat or the weather is less than perfect. If you don't fancy pedalling you can join our Motorcycle Reconnaissance Group or meet us at our lunch stop. 
Chris Edmonds stoking up his boiler in preparation for the next few miles. |
We had more breakdowns on the way back so Dave was forever searching for his tool kit and at the ford on the Gartree Road we were rounded up by four Collie dogs.
