Forecast looking quite good, so rides will be on.

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...

Short Ride Report by John A rather cool and largely overcast morning produced an excellent turnout with 5 rides departing Holt Drive. John was joined by Derek, Ian, Eric, Helen, Nim, David, Mick and Dom for a ride to Millie’s Café. The group set out through Loughborough departing via Meadow Lane to Stanford on Soar, where they turned south east to Cotes from where they climbed Loughborough Road to Hoton. Here they turned west to Wymeswold and then on along Narrow Lane to Six Hills where the riders turned onto Paudy Lane before taking Berrycott Lane to Seagrave. Derek and Eric on Narrow Lane The group then ascended back to Paudy Lane and turned left to Millie’s Café at High Meadow Farm. After refreshment the riders returned to Loughborough via Barrow and Quorn. Derek, Ian, Eric, Helen, Nim, David, Mick and Dom at Millie’s Café

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.