Forecast is for frost, but temperature should be just above freezing at start time. Ride will be on but wrap up well and watch our for ice and wet leaves.  Loughborough to Shepshed cycleway NCN6 Help us get full Right of Way status! Why we need your evidence: The section of National Cycle Route (NCR6), which goes from Coe Avenue in Thorpe Acre to Butthole Lane and across the M1 to Shepshed, was established at the Millennium with the goodwill of the De Lisle Estate. This means that although landowner permission for cycleway use is provided much of this section is, in Right of Way terms, currently classified as a Footpath. (It being labelled as part of K68 on the Leicestershire Definitive Map). Not having Bridleway status (which is the category which gives rights to use by cyclists) means, as has been recently demonstrated when the route has had to be closed for cable laying works, that the statutory protection is somewhat limited. Additionally, the land which the route crosses now b...

Short Ride 1 Report by Derek As we all decided what rides we fancied this morning a lot opted for John's shortish ride to Jades tearoom rooms. Probably because it was just above freezing outside. We all thought that the group was too big so I offered to lead a ride to Pillings lock marina. John, Marcus, Eric and Vic decided to join me and we headed out to over the forest to Mucklin wood to avoid the busy A6 ring road, we were surprised that after all the rain it was not that muddy. We then went on to Woodhouse, Swithland and on to Rothley before dropping down to Mountsorrel and on to Quorn. Marcus unfortunately got a puncture and decided to phone his local recovery team i.e. Sue his wife. The rest of us carried on to Pillings Marina. The restaurant had been closed for a while as it flooded early part of the year, we were all pleasantly surprised how nice the new decor was. The staff were very friendly and brought out a lovely selection of cakes and things to try. Vic, John...

Intermediate ride to Café Blue at Sawley Marina Report by David On an exceptionally mild day for November, with no rain, Howard led a ride to Sawley Marina, accompanied by Dave Smith, Rob Smith, Catherine, Marcus, Max, Bryan and David. We headed for Emmanuel Way. Dave’s bike suddenly went into self-destruct, flinging the rear axle out as he crossed Moorhen Way, causing the rear wheel to screech out of alignment. Fortunately, he was able to put it back and fasten it, allowing him to continue. We turned up to William Street, then Burleigh Road, Chestnut Street and across the Ashby Road to Broad Street. Taking Bridge Street and Toothill Road, we left Loughborough on Meadow Lane. The eight of us passed through Stanford on Soar and climbed Fox Hill to get to Normanton on Soar. At the end of the winding road, we crossed the A6006 for Sutton Bonington. Helped by the tail wind, Marle Pitt Hill did not seem so steep. After gathering at the top, our route took us along College Road...

Short Ride Report by John Despite the rain (which continued longer than originally forecast, there was quite a good turnout at Holt Drive with 3 rides leaving for various destinations. John offered a short ride the Shepshed and beyond with an early stop for refreshment to allow the rain to move over and was joined by Eric, Marcus, Dennis, Ian, Bryan, Myles and Andrew. The riders headed out through the University and after crossing the M1 turned into the lorry park and took refuge in Junction 23 Cafe. They indulged in a rather leisurely refreshment break while the rain continued to fall outside and some rather cholestral heavy bacon and sausage sandwiches were consumed by some. Eric, Marcus, Dennis, Ian, Bryan, Myles and Andrew at Junction 23 Cafe, Shepshed The group moved on as the rain moderated apart fro Eric who headed for home. The group crossed Shepshed to Tickow Lane and climbed up to Charley Road, which took them to the junction with the B591. Here, with some rain still fa...

Medium Ride Report by Graham I hadn't planned to lead a ride today, but an evident dearth of leadership caused JC to ask me to lead a 30 miler, and hence I led a group of 10, comprising Davids C,J,&G, Tim, Tricia, John N, Margaret, Dennis and Mark, to the Rock at Whitwick. Outbound we threaded through the University campus and business park, out alongside the A512 to Shepshed, cutting through the new Aldi car park (well most of us did, 2 overshot!) and out the back of Shepshed onto the familiar Carr Lane route 6 to Belton. At Osgathorpe we had to take to the pavement to get past a tractor doing hedge trimming, or more like hedge flailing, it was a miracle none of us punctured, then through Thringstone to Whitwick, taking the Bosworth trail (route 52) for the last section, emerging at the site of the old Hermitage leisure centre into the land of the million St George flags. The Rock is one of my favourite watering holes: time it right and you can have brunch and wash it ...

Short Ride Report by Andrew There were two short rides available so with Eric leading one and our illustrator leader Mr J Catt away, Ian and I led another one to Jade's. Or to be more honest and accurate Ian was by far the main leader!! The crew Ian and I were joined by six more “elite athletes” Chris, Clyde, Dave, Dom, Derek and Myles eagerly anticipating a lung busting morning workout!! The route We headed out through Quorn and then up the hill past Granite Works. We then turned left and then right up The Ridings. We then cycled through Thurcaston towards Anstey, at which point Ian expertly turned right past the schools to avoid the busy town Centre and onto Jade's we rode. The route back was a regular, well practiced route through Bradgate Park and Swithland, Woodhouse and Quorn and back home along the old A6. Myles leading Andrew and Clyde through Bradgate Park No really bad pot holes were witnessed by this keen observer, wait until we get some heavy frost...

Long Ride Report by Graham Ride reports are a bit of a rarity these days, only JC faithfully produces a report week after week. But, having bumped into Brian and Lorraine Jones at Quorn beer festival the preceding weekend, Lorraine mentioned how she missed reading the ride reports, so this one's for you Lorraine. Also threatened seems to be the concept of the long ride. It's been weeks, if not months, since I was last out on a Wednesday, so I expected my long ride to the Cow Shed would be massively popular. As John announced the 40 mile ride, there was a perceptible wave of riders looking at the floor and shuffling away from my allotted corner of Holt Square. Only Ged and David J came forward, eventually to be joined by the luckless Mick, who, having arrived late, had missed all the normal rides so was press-ganged into joining us. I'd already arranged to pick up Robert S at Hathern, so the 5 of us threaded northwards, through Long Whatton to the bypass, down p...

Short Ride 1 Report by Derek The morning ride, shared by Dave, Robert, Dennis, Margaret, Marcus and lead by Derek unfolded into twenty-eight miles of crisp, clean air and dappled sunlight filtering through the clouds.  The first part of the ride was a steady climb out of the town and on to rolling farmland, testing the legs but rewarding the effort with panoramic views of the Soar valley below. The road soon levelled out as we made our way through the villages via a slight detour to Bradgate park. As we entered the park it was quiet due to the earlier rain, the only sounds were the crunch of gravel under the tires and the melodic rush of the water from the stream to the left.  Dave leading Marcus through Bradgate Park We paused briefly while watching a heron fish, before embarking on the final push to Jades tearoom.  We all enjoyed tea and cakes and conversation about many subjects the main one being why Amazon use such big boxes for such small items inside. Dave, Rob...