Short Ride Report by John A beautiful sunny April morning (although with a cool and blustery east wind) produced an excellent turnout. After the longer rides had left the remaining group was too large and Eric offered a ride to Abbey Park leaving John with new riders Steve and Richard together with Mick, Andrew, Duncan, Myles, Dom and Clyde for a ride to Kegworth. The group headed out through the University to Coe Avenue and a dry, but rough in places, ride across Garendon to Shepshed. From here the riders dropped down Hallamford Road then turned east on Ashby Road before turning down Smith Lane to Long Whatton.  Steve and Andrew at the top of Kegworth Lane The riders then followed Kegworth Lane up to the by-pass from where they descended to Kegworth and refreshments at Oaklands. Steve, Richard, Mick, Andrew, Duncan, Myles, Dom and Clyde at Oaklands in Kegworth. After a pleasant sojourn in the sun, the riders headed out across the Soar to Sutton Bonnington and then Melton Lane...

Medium Ride Report by Graham The forecast was for warmth, so I suggested Redhill Marina in the hope that we could sit outside. But it was chilly and hazy as I led Marcus, Rob Smith, Nim, Keith H, Helen, Tim, Leigh and Mick out via Meadow Lane to Stanford, where Mick peeled off, having a funeral to attend. The promised sunshine never appeared, so we pedalled through the cold and murk via East Leake and Gotham, and came across an emerging new town, "Fairham" between Gotham and Clifton. There we peeled left onto Barton Lane, passing under the A453 and heading SW, parallel to it, up a short sharp 12% climb just out of Thrumpton, before passing the now dead power station and onwards to Redhill. LWC first visited when Howard took us there in 2017. It was basic then and is basic now, it mainly services the workers from the adjacent boatyards, although a couple of mountain bikers also rocked up. If you look away from the boatyards it's a lovely setting, but it was stil...

Short Ride Report by John A beautiful spring day saw an excellent turnout at Holt Drive and John offered a ride to Millie's on Paudy Lane. He was joined by Mick, Dom, Dave, Andrew, Duncan, Clyde, Myles, Marcus, Eric and Betty. Betty leading on the road up to Hoton. The group departed Loughborough via Meadow Lane and then headed south to Cotes from where they climbed Loughborough Road to Hoton. Turning off along Wymewold Road they were followed by a large articulated lorry that patiently remained behind the group. Stopping to allow it to pass it was somewhat ironic that 100 yards later it turned off the road to Foley Books. From Wymeswold the riders ascended Narrow Lane to Melton Road where it was noted that Eric and Marcus (the back marker) had dropped behind. It was agreed that the main group would press on to Millie's while John went back to investigate. It turned out that one of Eric's disc brakes was binding, slowing him down considerably. However he kept going to ...

Short Ride Report by John As rain was forecast for lunch time, John decided on a ride to Rothley Station going out past Mucklin Wood and Beaumanor. Dom and Dave didn't fancy this, so took the the tarmac route to join John, with Dennis, Helen, Rob, Andrew, Eric, Myles and Derek, at Beaumanor. The riders then rode to Swithland where they turned up Leicester Lane and then right up Bradgate Road to Cropston Reservoir. Heading south over the dam they carried on to then turn east along Anstey Lane to Thurcaston and finally  Rothley Station to take refreshment in Ellis Tea Room. Myles leading Andrew and Helen up Anstey Lane. Having warmed up in the tea room and with what appeared to be rain clouds starting to come in from the north, the group took the direct route back to Loughborough, arriving a few minutes before noon and the arrival of some sharp showers. Dennis, Helen, Rob, Andrew, Eric, Myles, Dom, Derek and Dave.

Short Ride Report by John A sunny early spring morning produced a good turnour with 4 rides departing Holt Drive. John led a short ride accompanied by Marcus, Eric, John, Rob and Dennis. The group departed Loughborough via the old A6 being delayed by 3 sets of traffic lights as they headed to Mount Sorrel. Here they turned east to cross the Soar to Sileby and then south down the valley to Cossington where they joined the cycle track that leads to the Wreake/Grand Union Canal.  Eric and John at Wreake Junction Turning off the Sustrans path at Meadow Lane, the riders followed the cycle route into Syston (navigating some very narrow stretches under railway bridges, to arrive at the crowded Duck and Willow Cate at Brookside. As it was sunny the riders were quite happy to have their refreshments outside. Marcus, Eric, John, Rob and Dennis at the Duck and Willow Cafe in Syston. The riders retraced their route as far a Sileby, where they continued along Barrow Road, recrossed the Soa...

Short Ride Report by John It was a miserably cold and damp day and John had got a pain in the neck, so he was only offering a very short ride to Normanton on Soar. After the other three rides had departed just Max, Derek, Mick and Myles remained. The riders departed Loughborough via Meadow Lane, where initially John had to stop when his chain came off. While waiting for him to get going again, Mick discovered that he had a puncture. As he didn't fancy struggling with fixing it in the cold weather, he decided to abandon the ride and return home. The remaining riders then ascended Leake Lane and then descended to Rempstone Road from which they turned left to drop down to Brickyard Lane which they followed to West Leake. They then joined Landcroft Lane, despite the "Road Closed" signs and negotiated their way through to Marle Pit Hill. Here they discovered that major work was being undertaken on the road bridge, but seeing Harold Heyworth ascending with his bicycle ga...

Short Ride Report by John The sunshine produce a high turnout, so that even after three groups had departed thirteen riders remained who were opting for a short ride. Howard kindly offered a ride to a new cafe near Sutton Bonnington which left John leading Mick, Chris, Andrew, Myles, Duncan, Helen (a new rider) and Rob to Bradgate Park. New Rider - Helen The group set out via Cross Lane and through Shelthorpe and followed the old A6 through Quorn before climbing Wood Lane to Granites, where they encountered the group led by Graham that had taken a more ciruitous route. Both groups headed across the Ridings to Rothley Station where John's group paused to allow the groups to split and avoid any confusion. Here they were joined by Eric. Mick leading Myles, Eric and Chris in Bradgate Park The riders continued past Cropston Reservoir to Bradgate Park, where a friendly warden was happy to open the main gates for the group to pass. The sunshine had also brought out many walkers and ri...

Medium Ride, Report by Graham I hadn't planned to lead a ride today, but there was an exceptionally large crowd, and a dearth of leaders, so I led Nim, Pat, Rob Smith, Stuart, Mick, and Marcus to Café Blue at Sawley Marina, on a bright but chilly day. Outbound we took the A6 to Hathern, turning left to Long Whatton and then right up Kegworth Lane to the bypass, from where we crossed the A453 and descended past Amazon et al into Lockington. Then under the A50 onto Netherfield Lane and right onto Tamworth Road to the marina. Netherfield Lane was on the news recently as one of the most fly tipped lanes in the county: no problem with fly tipping today, but we were attacked by a flock of out of control dogs, under the stewardship (or not) of a dog walker. It could have been nasty had we had children in the group. Anyway, we battled on the the café, commandeering a round table and consuming a r...