Foremark Reservoir, South Derbyshire – Try A Sportive – Saturday 12th July
“Big thanks….fantastic day at Foremark …very well organised… (PW)”
Foremark was a new sportive venue for us at Dark & White Cycling and a move away from the undulations, hills and dales of the Peak District. The aim was to provide two routes (35 and 20 miles) with the riding wherever possible on quiet country lanes passing through some of the pretty South Derbyshire villages on the way; the terrain can best be described as gently rolling with lots of arable farmland and wide open views of the surrounding countryside. On the day the road conditions and the weather were perfect: warm sunshine, blue sky, minimal wind and dry roads – what more could a roadie ask for!
The long 58km route went anti-clockwise from Foremark visiting Repton, Hartshorne then onwards to the feedstation point at the village of Blackfordby – it then struck out into Leicestershire and the National Forest area and passed through the delightful hamlet of Lullington before looping back to Moira and the outskirts of Ashby. A relatively easy run back to Foremark via Smisby and Ticknall completed the circuit.
The shorter 35km route followed the same roads as the long course and then split just after the feedstation near Hicks Lodge/The National Forest Cycling Centre before returning on the outskirts of Calke Abbey & Ticknall back to Foremark.
All 84 riders returned in various states of health but all smiling and enjoyed sitting under the trees by the reservoir with a post-event drink or two.
Thanks to Severn Trent Water for their help and guidance with setting up the event and use of all the facilities; also to Pete at the Foremark café (I think we tested his patience from time to time but we suspect that he had a good day at the office!).
Our next easier sportive is from Great Longstone nr Bakewell on Saturday 27th September – More info
