Short Ride Report by John Having put the ride on as the forecast the previous evening had been for a dry morning, the perverse English weather provided a heavy shower as a surprisingly large number of riders gathered at Holt Drive. John offered a short ride to Rothley Station and was joined by David, Dom, Nim, Ian, Chris, Andrew, Mick and Myles. The Riders headed out via Cross Lane and Shelthorpe to Quorn, from where they climbed Wood Lane and past the Quarry. Turning right onto The Ridings, the group headed into Swithland and then turned south on Leicester Lane. This took them to Bradgate Road and up onto Reservoir Road and across the dam to Cropston where they turned left onto Station Road, leading to Ellis Tea Room. The one lady manning the counter coped well with the sudden rush of cyclists and refreshment was taken inside as rain still threatened. David, Dom, Nim, Ian, Chris, Andrew, Mick and Myles at Ellis Tea Room, Rothley Station The riders returned via The Ridgeway, Mou...

Short Ride 1 Report by Tim A brief ride report from my first attempt at ride leading. On a bright, warm morning with a south-westerly breeze, but with the threat of rain around lunchtime, David. Betty, Margaret and Mick, led by Tim, set out with the intention of going to Daisy's Tearoom at Brooklea Garden Centre by a slightly roundabout route. We headed down to the Farley Way lights then took the Woodhouse road, where we encountered our first traffic control (old-fashioned stop/go signs on an uphill bend!). Brand Lane, then past Swithland Wood and the slow climb up Warren Hill gave us an easy descent down Sharpley Hill (or is it Sharply Hill?) into Newton Linford with the headwind acting as a useful brake. We resisted the tearooms there and headed on to Anstey. When we stopped there to regroup Mick suggested we try Clara’s tearoom on Link Road ; no-one in the group had been there before. (It also gave me a short stretch of road that I had never cycled on before; I like a bit ...

Short Ride Report by John It hadn't been forecast, but a heavy drizzle was coming down as the riders gathered at Holt Drive, resulting in capes and other waterproofs being extracted from the bottom of panniers after the long dry summer. Despite the early autumnal feel of the weather there was an excellent turnout, so that even after three rides had left, seventeen riders remained. Eric kindly agreed to lead a short ride and John led a short ride to Six Hills, accompanied by Andrew, Mick, Myles, John N., Helen, Max and Chris. The group headed out through Shelthorpe and on to the outskirts of Quorn, negotiating the recently laid gravel on the old A6. By this time the drizzle had almost disappeared and after negotiating the bridge over the bypass, the riders had a short stop to remove waterproofs before processing to Barrow. Andrew, Mick, Myles, John, Helen, Max and Chris on the Saltway. Having negotiated the roundabout in Barrow, the riders climbed up onto the Saltway and had an...

Short Ride Report by John A warm and sunny summer's day produced a good turnout with 4 rides departing Holt Drive. John offered a ride to East Goscote Garden Centre in Cossington and was joined by Andrew, Derek, Helen, Marcus, Mick, David and Myles. The riders departed Loughborough via the track alongside Mucklin Wood to Beaumanor and then climbed to Woodhouse Eaves. From there they climbed Maplewell Road to Joe Moores Lane where they turned left for a fast descent to Roecliffe. After a brief incline to join Roecliffe Road, the group continued descending to Cropston Reservoir, following Reservoir Road to Cropston.  John leading Mick along Reservoir Road (photo by Andrew) David leading Mick, Myles, Derek and Marcus along the Ridgeway Here they turned left through the village and onto Rothley, where they took the quieter route past Rothley Primary School via Saxon Drive to Loughborough Road. From here they descended across the Soar, joining Syston Road to arrive at that Garden C...

Short Ride Report by John A beautiful sunny summer's day produced an excellent turnout at Holt Drive with 5 different rides setting out. John offered a ride to Bawdon Lodge and was joined by Derek, Rob, Andrew, Helen, Chris and Myles. The riders headed out through the University exiting Loughborough at Coe Avenue to cross Garendon Park and join Tickow Lane. This led them onto Charley Road where they encounted the ride, led by Vic, coming the other way. Helen and Andrew on Charley Road Arriving at Bawdon Lodge it was decided to take refreshment in the field and enjoy the sunshine. Derek, Rob, Andrew, Helen, John, Chris and Myles at Bawdon Lodge. The riders returned to Loughborough via Roecliffe, Woodhouse and Quorn, arriving back just before noon.

Short Ride Report by John The rain had cleared (for a bit) and the sun was shining when riders gathered at Holt Drive. After the two longer rides had departed, there were still 14 riders remaining that had opted for the short ride. Howard kindly offered a ride to Sawley and John remained with Rob, Andrew, Myles, Chris, Mick, Derek and David for a ride to Syston. John led the riders through Shelthorpe and down the old A6 through Quorn. As they approached Mountsorrel the rain started to come down quite hard and the group sheltered under the quarry bridge for those not wearing waterproofs to "cape up". The riders carried on across the Soar to Sileby and south to Cossington. By now the rain had stopped so there was a brief pause while waterproofs were removed. The group then joined the track down to the Grand Union Canal, leaving it at Meadow Lane to take the route under the railway lines to the Duck and Willow Cafe in Syston. Chris leading Mick towards Syston. After drying...

Short Ride Report by John An overcast morning brought another good turnout and after John offered a ride to Oaklands in Kegworth, he was left with 14 riders after the other groups had departed. This would have been too large for comfort so he was very pleased that Graham offered a ride to Millies, reducing the group to David, Chris, Myles, Dave, Dom, Clyde and Mick. The riders set out through the University and climbed Ashby Road to Shepshed, which they skirted using Anson Road to get to Tickow Lane, where they turned right to reach the steep descent down Hallamford Road leading them via Smithy Lane to Long Whatton. Dave leading the group along Smithy Lane Here they took a left up Kegworth Lane and after negotiating the bypass dropped down to Oaklands for refreshments, where they were joined by Andrew. David, Chris, Myles, Andrew, Dave, Dom, Clyde and Mick at Oaklands in Kegworth. Having refuelled the riders exited Kegworth via Station Road and headed for Kingston before turning s...

Short Ride Report by John While the long ride that departed at 9am had attracted a good turnout, there were still enough riders arriving for the 9.30am start to justify two groups. John offered a short ride to the Jade Cafe at Newtown Linford and was joined by Margaret, Dennis, Myles, Derek,Andrew, Chris, Mick and John N. As he had announced that they would be departing via Mucklin Wood, Clyde and Dom opted to keep to the tarmac and meet the other riders at Beaumanor. The rendezvous duly achieved, the riders continued on to Swithland where they turned right up Leicester Lane and wended their way to the north entrance of Bradgate Park. As the schools hadn't yet broken up, it was possible to make good progress through the Park to Jades. John N. leading Margaret through Bradgate Park. After sampling the excellent cakes on offer, the riders returned through the park and then followed Reservoir Road to Cropston where they turned left for Rothley Station. Here they joined the Ridg...