Loughborough Wednesday Cyclists

 Forecast looking quite good so rides will be on.

A cool autumn morning with a forecast of showers produced a lower turnout than normal with two rides setting out . Short Ride Report by John As the wind was in the north Derek, Myles, Andrew, Paul, Eric, Dennis and John decided to head north. Intitially the sun shone and the riders departed Loughborough via Meadow Lane. They then continued north up the Soar Valley to Kingston on Soar and then north east on the Gotham Road before heading south via Dark Lane to West Leake. Derek, Eric and Andrew heading towards West Leake on Dark Lane At this point the clouds were building and the group continued south east down Brickyard Lane before climbing Travell's Hill. Pausing to regroup at the top, rain was beginning to make its presence felt. The riders descended Butt Lane with the rain rapidly increasing in intensity and riders were glad to arrive in the shelter of the village shop at Normanton on Soar. Derek, Myles, Andrew, Paul, Eric, Dennis (part hidden) and John After refreshment

The first ride of September produced a rather chilly start, a harbinger of autumn being on its way, and three groups departed Holt Drive. Short Ride Report by John After the other groups had departed Rob, Andrew, Chris, Eric, Dom, Clyde and Derek remained with John for a short ride to East Leake. The group rode through Market Square departing Loughborough via Meadow Lane befor heading south to Cotes and then up to Hoton before heading west to Wymeswold. In Wymeswold they turned north to Wysall where they turn west passing through Costock and heading for East Leake. John leading the group south along Stanford Lane Just before reaching East Leake a Coffee Shop sign was spotted and a temporary coffee shop in an Elms Farm field was identified. The sign said closed but activity could be seen and it was decided to investigate. It turned out that the cafe was open but the sole lady in charge hadn't got around to removing the closed sign. Eric, Chris, Rob, Andrew, Derek, Clyde and D

Short Ride Report by John The short ride proved popular this week and John was joined by Dom, Rob, Myles, Elaine, Dave, David P., Derek, Tricia and David G. on a ride to the Flying Goose Coffee Shop at Six Hills. The riders exited Loughborough via Shelthorpe and headed for Barrow before climbing up to the Salt Way and heading east for Six Hills. David leading Elaine, Derek and Myles The day being a little cool, the group remained inside at the Flying Goose and was joined, shortly before departure, by Eric. Dom, Rob, Myles, Elaine, John, Dave, David P., Derek, Tricia and David G. at the Flying Goose Coffee Shop, Six Hills. As good time had been made on the ride out, the riders opted for a longer return leg, heading south through Ragdale before turning south-west through Hoby and Thussington along the Wreake Valley. After climbing from Ratcliffe the riders descended into the Soar Valley and headed north through Sileby and Mountsorrel, arriving back in Loughborough at 12.30pm. Med

A blustery but bright morning produced an excellent turnout necessitating four rides. Short Ride Report by John John was joined by Dom, Andrew, Chris, Dennis, David, Derek, Myles and Clyde on a short ride to Bawdon Lodge Tea Rooms. The riders set out through the University and wended their way to the cycle track across Garendon Park which has deteriorated over the last few years with many large holes to be avoided. The group then navigated to Tickow Lane and then Charley Road. Clyde leading the group across Garendon Park Arriving at Bawdon Lodge the riders found Ray already seated. As it was a sunny day it was decided to take refreshments outside. Dom, Andrew, Chris, Dennis, David, Derek, Ray, Myles and Clyde at Bawdon Lodge Tea Rooms The riders returned via Roecliffe and Woodhouse, arriving back in Loughborough just before noon. Derek leads along Charley Road. Medium-Short Ride Report by Tim Howard, Margaret, Stuart, Mick and Tim, led by Jeff♀, set out on a 'gentle'

Short Ride Report (with a musical theme with a little help from the “Les Miserables” musical!!) Report by Andrew “I dreamed a dream” The forecast was a bit iffy, and there had been overnight rain and there was drizzle in the air. I asked myself would the rides be on? Would there be anyone at the home of spiritual cycling? How would I fill my day if there we were not riding? Of course they were on and there were approx 25-30 attending the three ride options. What more can you ask for than my dream of fresh air, exercise, excellent coffee shop stops and good (sometimes eccentric) conversation!! “On my Own” I wanted a short ride, would I be riding solo? Of course not, I was joined by John, Marcus, Betty, Margaret, Dennis and our leader Derek. The ride headed out through Shelly and Quorn and then up to Woodhouse Eaves, where I removed water proof trousers (after carefully ensuring there were shorts on underneath!!) Then it was on towards Swithland and past Stuart Broad’s bo

A n overcast summer's morning saw another excellent turnout at Holt Drive with 4 rides leaving for various destinations. Short Ride Report by John John led Rob, Chris, Paul, David, Derek, Myles, Dennis and Dom south with the ambition of obtaining refreshments at the Methodist Church Hall in Birstall. Departing via Shelthorpe the riders headed down the old A6 finding it closed through Mountsorrel but managed to bypass the road works by taking to pavement. Rothley also provided a bit of a challenge with road works at the Cossington Lane cross roads. Having navigated these, the riders toured the new cycle tracks where Bentley Nurseries used to be before climbing to Hallam Fields and taking the bridge over the A6 to Wanlip (taking care not to come off on the gravel or the severely eroded sections at the bottom of the hill). Rob & Myles leading Chris and Paul south from Wanlip. The group then headed south to Birstall and the church hall. However on arrival it was found that the

Today, was a proper summer’s day with occluded sun and little wind except on downhill stretches, and it was a bonus ride in the sense that this was the 5th Wednesday of the month that we were out riding, despite the year as a whole delivering unsuitable weather more than other years. Indeed, we sympathised with many cycling participants in the Olympic games, who confronted perilous surfaces after torrential downpours in Paris. Intermediate Ride Report by David David led a shortish ride to Staunton Harold, accompanied by Bryan, Ged, Rob Stephens, Stuart and Betty. It was an unusually contorted route out to the university, going via Outwoods Drive, the playing fields path out to Sandalwood Road, Woodbrook Road, Valley Road, Brookside Road, Badger Way, Brook Lane, then across Nanpantan Road at the crossing. Then we took the footpath to Mardale Way, and Derwent Drive to enter the university site by Burleigh Court. Unfortunately, we lost Betty at Outwoods Drive, despite Ged going b