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View towards Ashby from Staunton Harold

Mother nature treated us to yet another gorgeous spring day so it would have been rude of me not to get out there and enjoy it on another bike ride.  After yesterdays hilly peak district ride I fancied something a little easier today so just set off on a steady bimble, no route in mind, just made it up as I went along.  Went down a few roads the 'other way' to what I usually do which gave a nice perspective on some of the areas I ride, ended up at Staunton Harold a regular club ride cafe stop, not that I stopped at the cafe today.

Breedon Priory

Got to Breedon on the Hill and decided to ride up to Priory Church.  I've often wondered what the climb up there would be like, the answer is... quite disappointing.  I knew it was short but thought it would be a lot sharper.  It's a hill but nothing serious, felt quite let down.  Headed towards Derby from here over Swarkestone Bridge which is a national monument and has links with the Civil War of 1643 and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

Then onto Elvaston Castle which is currently fighting to save it's public access as the local council seek to lease it to a consortium who wish to build a golf course on the grounds, thus making much of the estate closed off to public, this would be a crying shame as the grounds are beautiful.  From there it was home through Borrowash, Breaston and Long Eaton.

Distance = 85 km
Time = 3 hrs 5 mins
Ave Speed = 27.3 kph

2012
Road Bike = 1203.1 km
Indoor = 331.4 km
Ran = 154.5 km
Total = 1689.0 km

Managed to get a bit more time on the wheels off the pug, quite a laborious task but got to be done.