Cycling Day 9 - Doncaster to Northampton
A Day of Two Jonos
The good weather really does seem to be following us south and after a bright start and some mid-morning cloud, it turned into a hot afternoon with lots of fluid being consumed by the cyclists.
Faye and little Jono had rejoined the travellers last evening to boost the support team for the last 2 days of cycling. A late start and some poor directions led to the Volvo and cyclists getting badly lost and wasting 30 minutes cycling 7 miles and getting nowhere. Back on the right track, it was only at Maltby that the first stop took place after 20 miles and the decision to hitch a ride to enable a lunch-time appointment to be kept. On the second stage, the guys set off from Edwinstowe and followed the A roads south to the Fosse Way, with its Roman-straight road towards Leicester. A short second break after 23 miles was followed by a fast ride on the dual carriageway into Leicester and through the busy city centre to Welford Road, the home of Leicester Tigers. There waiting for Rob was his sister and brother-in-law and several of the Tigers players plus big Jono.
Whilst this was happening, Sandra and I called at the Tesco Extra at Bradgate Mall but there were no Leukaemia Research collectors and brother-in-law, Anthony had lost his way and didn’t meet us. We arrived at Welford Road in time for photos and interviews and then Rob, Dan, Martin and his friend Matt, set off for the ride to Northampton.
It was a scorching day and the four settled into a steady pace – Dan said later that they could have easily burnt off the big man – following the Welford Road, A5199 all the way. It’s an up and down route with lots of short hills and descents through beautiful East Midlands countryside with some pretty villages such as Chapel Brampton along the way. The guys stopped to fill up with drinks and then pressed on heading into Northampton and the Tesco store on the Towcester Road. MarieJoy Walters and the team were expecting us and had laid on refreshments and food for tomorrow’s journey. A sit down and more photos before we said goodbye to Martin and Matt. Little Jono seemed to get on well with his illustrious namesake and the last photo was of the two of them, with little J trying to put his arm round big J. Our grateful thanks and best wishes to them both for coming out to show their support – I know how much their presence and company meant to Dan and Rob.
The drive to our accommodation at the Premier Travel Inn was quick and straightforward and a good end to a great day that had not started so well. Somewhere towards the centre of Northampton, the Ironmen reached the 1000 mile mark and have 115 left to complete on day ten. |
