January 2017 | 47 spread with a mix of tasty carbs and liquid energy . Special mention has to go to the tasty lemon cake , which tantalised the taste buds ; bravo Wendy !
The next leg was going to test our stamina as we headed to our lunch stop in Leicester . Once out of the urbanised tedium , we were immersed in a delightful bucolic setting . Quaint villages , open countryside with patchworks of colours and wonderful isolation . Unfortunately , we also encountered hills ( the group would like me to refer to them as mountains ) which we coped with resolutely , encouragement and alacrity reverberated between riders , the wheels and pedal strokes in a rhythmic unison . Ok , the speed was not overly impressive but we were making headway , and importantly enjoying the solitude .
Regrettably the deserted roads were replaced by bustling thoroughfares as we pedalled into the outskirts of Leicester . We breezed along the city streets , chugging vehicles motionless in the endless traffic , our bikes where the perfect foil to this constant blockade of pollution . As we neared the epicentre , the roads became increasingly hazardous so we reverted to the pavement . Finally , we arrived , greeted by the melodic rhythms of a makeshift band , and our already buoyant confidence and positivity was increased by the unexpected exuberant welcome at Widening Horizons .
Lunch was a mass of carbs and overdue caffeine , the conversation was flowing , dominated by the afternoon ' s itinerary . After another impromptu photo opportunity , we were off , and this time our numbers had increased . A stuttered start was followed by some rapid pedalling ; our cadence was impressive as we interacted with the A50 . This mundane mass of tarmac would not make the list of the ‘ Top 100 cycling roads ’ – the experience was miserable , cars whizzing by , the senses treated to an ensemble of engine fumes and burning rubber , but thankfully the weather