Chasing the storm
After lunch, I proceed east to Seaton, the place it’s onerous to withstand the cool shade of the yew timber all through the churchyard and the welcoming picket tables exterior The George and Dragon pub.
Nonetheless as quickly as I dart downhill, I glimpse the attractive arches of the 1.16km-long Harringworth Viaduct – the longest masonry viaduct all through the UK.
Constructed from 1876-78 by a stress of 400 males, it has 82 arches, every of which has a 40-60ft-high span.
Its immense measurement turns into clear as quickly as I journey straight beneath its big, dripping arches.
I spin earlier fields of horses into the village of Harringworth, which marks the start of a tough 50m vertical ascent, with the arches of the viaduct receding slowly behind me.
I then dart as soon as extra to Barrowden, earlier the village’s stone-lined duck pond, and journey alongside a lane as soon as extra to Seaton, before heading north to begin out my journey as soon as extra to Rutland Water.
It’s price having satisfying with the short-term descent correct proper right here on account of the climb as soon as extra to Glaston is surprisingly steep.
In autumn, you’ll uncover the hedgerows bursting with juicy blackberries, however correct now the one sight of purple comes from the ominous storm clouds gathering to the north.
Beneath the big vault of sky in Rutland, you would possibly even see the native climate altering before it reaches you.
Nonetheless with its flat terrain and quiet roads, Rutland is without doubt one of the finest place to race a storm.
Because of the clouds throb nearer, I choose up the tempo and sprint alongside the roads south of Rutland Water, up the non permanent, leg-buckling climb from Glaston, and all the way in which through which all the way in which all the way down to the village of Wing, whose neat grass maze dates to medieval circumstances.
With the reservoir shining to my left, and superb farmland stretching out to my right, I proceed to race the storm clouds.
Quickly I glimpse Normanton Church, an iconic Rutland landmark, on a small spit of land jutting into Rutland Water, which makes it look as if it’s floating.
From correct proper right here, it’s just a few kilometres to the dam. I make it as soon as extra simply because the clouds arrive and the reservoir sizzles with heavy raindrops, before, moments later, the picture voltaic bursts by means of as shortly as additional.