Originally Posted by
anthonykay
Not so much a bike ride, more an afternoon out accompanied by a bike.
Headed westward, with a brief stop at Oaks-in-Charnwood where my wife was playing a tennis match; brief, because the home club didn't want any spectators.
Carried on, and couldn't resist wandering into Cademan Wood. In 1993/94 I spent hundreds of hours here and in the neighbouring Grace Dieu Wood and High Sharpley, surveying for an orienteering map. Since then, it has become a magnet for mountain-bikers, so I felt rather out-of-place on my touring bike with 32mm tyres. Anyway, I can't go through Cademan Wood without visiting the summit of High Cademan; and that has to be done by a scramble through the crags on the west side. I've noticed the cave with the hole in its top before, but never previously tried going up that way. The scramble up was fairly easy, but twisting across to get up through that hole seemed too risky, so I retreated; I didn't want the embarrassment of having to call for help if I got stuck.
Continued on my bike ride, exploring some of the back streets of Coalville on my convoluted route to Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Had a mooch round the St. Helen's churchyard (the church building was locked). Also stopped to look around St. Mary's churchyard at Coleorton; it would appear that this is the only place from where the public can see Coleorton Hall and its grounds ["Private Property, 24-hour surveillance", according to the sign at the start of the driveway].
Got thoroughly soaked by a heavy shower in the last half-hour before reaching home.