Shepshed - Domont Town Twinning

Team Triplet

Shepshed - Domont Town Twinning

Randonnée Domont à Shepshed - 3

Étape Environs De Shepshed

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1- Étape Northampton à Shepshed

2 - Friday Receptions

3 - Étape Environs De Shepshed

4 - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning

2007 Review

Man in Suit

Shepshed-Domont

Vercors

Soar Valley Floods

Frankenhand

WHR

Shepshed is twinned with Domont in the Val D'oise - Ile de France, to the north of Paris adjacent to Route Nationale 1. An event which had been 3 years in organising was a cycle tour from Domont to Shepshed, by L'Union Cyclotouriste Domontoise (UC Domont). After arriving in Shepshed on the Friday, a leisurely ride was planned round the local lanes on the Saturday.

As the riders wanted a shortish route of 40 to 50Km on the Saturday, and we had lunch booked at the Cross Keys in Newbold, I worked out a route to Mount St Bernard Abbey, Newbold, Breedon on the Hill, Melbourne (Derbyshire) and cycle route 6 back to Cloud Quarry to head back in to Shepshed via Belton. Another lumpy ride as can be seen from the above route profile. The track for the route in GPX format can be downloaded here.


The cyclists from UC Domont took great care of their bikes. After a very short and gentle "Rough Stuff" section at Pitsford on the ride to Shepshed, there was much "Cleaning and polishing" of rims and tyres as soon as tarmac was regained. This care for their bikes continued with reparation for the days ride which included checking spokes....... ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20168

and some gentle lubrication. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20176

Each rider from UC Domont was presented with a "maillot jaune". The riders proudly wore on the Saturday ride, initially under their club tops. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20181

Our route out of Shepshed took us along Ticklow Lane and past the sign they had been photographed by, the day before. They wanted another photo, this time in their "maillots jaunes". I too was presented with one for acting as their guide from Northampton. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20187

First stop was at Mount St Bernard Abbey, an active Cistercian Monastery. The monastery on this site was commenced in 1840 and the church was not completed until 1939. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20190

Lunch was a buffet at the Cross Keys public house in Newbold. The last two are seen arriving, having acted as back markers or the "lanterne rouge". ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20192

First stop after parking the bikes was the bar! ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20194

After lunch we headed through Worthington towards Breedon on the Hill where we had a good view of the challenge ahead! ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-24-20626

The challenge was a 17% climb (1 in 6) to the church at the top of the hill. This is a view halfway up the hill - there was more come. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20218

Not everybody was up to such climbs and in true "le Tour" fashion there was the "autobus" trailing behind the leaders. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20231

The climb was worth it, as the afternoon had brightened up and good views across the Trent and Soar valleys were available. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20235
	Having got to the top many went around the Priory church. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20241


Another opportunity for a group photo - yes we made it to the top! The priory church of St Mary and St Hardulph is in the background. This church dates back to the 12th century, but the site had been used for a monastery since 676AD. Rumours have it, that due to EU law if they build a new runway at the nearby East Midlands airport, they would need to demolish the tower. I suspect it is another of those "EU Urban myths". ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20249

So what is that over there? A question is asked of one of the local riders who supported the ride. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20252

What goes up must come down! A group of riders enjoying the hill from Wilson into Melbourne ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20270

In Melbourne we visited the lake by Melbourne Hall which is seen in the background. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20285

A time to relax and watch the ducks from a safe distance. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20297
	Goose feathers make a good headdress. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20296 After Melbourne we headed back to Shepshed along cycle route 6 from Kings Newton to Cloud Quarry. This is approaching the end of the section at Cloud Quarry. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20285

Almost home - the track between Belton and Shepshed as it approaches the Shepshed end. ©Stephen Dee ID 2007-06-23-20334