Short Ride Report by John An early Spring day with the prospect of sunshine produced a good turnout with riders negotiating the works surrounding the square at Holt Drive.Four rides sallied forth with twelve rider opting for short ride to the Flying Goose Cafe at Six Hills. John was joined by Rob, Chris, Robert, Betty, Eric, Andy, Derek, Mick, Andrew, Margaret and Dennis The riders headed south towards Quorn, turning east to cross the Soar into Barrow and then up Melton Road to Paudy Lane and the Salt Way. (This was a Roman Road and the name "Paudy" is believed to derive from the old English "paude," which mean "paved".) Derek and Andrew on Paudy Lane After negotiating a section of the rather busier Six HIlls Lane, the riders arrived at a busy Swim Six Hills where they queued with swimmers for refreshments in the Flying Goose Cafe. A table was located and all the riders were eventually served. Rob, Chris, Robert (half hidden), Betty, Eric, Andy, D...

Short Ride 1 Report by John A bright mild morning produced a good turnout with riders navigating the road works around Holt Drive to get to the gathering place. As a large number of riders had opted for the short ride, Ian kindly agreed to lead one section to Millies while John offered another to the Methodist Church Hall at Birstall. John was joined by Bryan, Robert, Mike and Derek and they headed south through Quorn then climbed Wood Lane past Granites before dropping down to Rothley to rejoin the old A6 to then follow the signed route through Birstall to the tea room. The tea room was very crowded since it was one of the "Warm" day events they hold when the tea and cakes are free. We were told there was a room upstairs we could use, to which the group retreated after leaving an appropriate amount in the donations box. Riding in Watermead Park After finishing off the supply of cake at the Church Hall, the riders returned through Watermead Park with Bryan taking a mor...

Short Ride Report by David David G led a short ride to St Joseph’s tearooms, accompanied by Keith, Dave J, Laurence, Marcus, Tim and Rob Smith. The weather was dry but cold, and winds became evident at the highest points. We rode through Loughborough to Meadow Lane, which had some remaining flood water for us to clean our tyres. We continued through Stanford and over Fox Hill to Normanton. The A6006 above Sutton Bonington. Bridgeworks are ongoing at Zouch, and the way through was clear, but road closure starts in about 10 days. We joined the A6 and took the right turn in Hathern for Shepshed. Here, we went up Lansdowne Road to join Oakley Road for Tickow Lane. Crossing the Ashby Road was perilous, but we all made it to continue up Charley Road. Some of us went right up Abbey Road, which is fairly steep, while others took the 2 other sides of the triangle via Oaks in Charnwood. A few minutes later we all met at St Joseph’s tearooms, where a table was found indoors despite it being ...

Short Ride 1 Report by Graham An uneventful ride on a damp and dismal day, but I'm posting a report to highlight the forthcoming closure of Ellis Tearoom at Rothley train station. Myself, Vic, Stuart, Robert (Stephens) and Keith H followed the old A6 through Quorn and Mountsorrel almost as far as Brooklea Nursery before turning right onto Bier Way, then Walton Way, West Cross Lane, The Ridings and The Ridgeway to the train station and tea stop. Stuart, Keith H., Robert S., Vic and Graham at Ellis's Tea Room Vic headed home from there, we remaining 4 returned via Cropston and Swithland. The tea rooms, owned and operated by Great Central Railway, are sadly to close permanently from 15 Feb. Also to close will be the adjoining (and nice warm) toilets. We asked the tea room staff as to the future of the building, but they were as in the dark as we were. Whilst there we were asked to sign a petition against the closure, which we all did. Not su...

Short Ride Report by John The forecast proved to be correct and there was no frost when riders gathered on a chilly morning. John was joined by John N., Mike, Myles, Helen, Terry, Bryan, Margaret, Dennis and Andrew on a ride to the Jade Tea Rooms in Newtown Linford. The riders headed south through Quorn and up Wood Lane past the Quarry before descending to the Riding where they headed west to Swithland where the first snowdrops were evident. Here they turned south up Leicester Lane which took them to Station Road and Cropston. After turning north on Reservoir Road the riders regathered next to the Reservoir overflow that was running strongly. John N., Mike, Myles, Helen, Terry and Andrew at south end of Cropston Reservoir Dam. Arriving at Bradgate Park, a kind warden opened the gates to allow the riders through.  Margaret, Myles and Dennis in Bradgate Park After traversing the park the riders enjoyed the excellent fare offered by the Jade upstairs before returning to Loughbor...

Short Ride Report by John The weather forecast had been for cloud over most to the night clearing around dawn with temperatures just reaching freezing point. In fact the sky cleared late on Tuesday evening producing quite a severe frost. Still the sun was coming out and riders decided to proceed with care while there was a danger of ice. John offered a short ride with a very early stop in Quorn to allow the temperature to rise while enjoying tea and coffee. He was joined by Dilip (a new rider), Andrew, Rob, Nim, Myles, David and Dennis. The group set out via Cross Lane to Shelthorpe and then on to Quorn where they toured the town to get to the warmth of the Old School Tea House. Dilip, Andrew, Rob, Nim, Myles, David and Dennis at the Old School Tea Room in Quorn After a relaxing half hour consuming the excellent refreshments most of the riders ventured out again, leaving Myles and Andrew behind having decided they would prefer to stay and the warm before returning home. The route c...

Short Ride Report by John As it was Christmas Eve there was a surprisingly good turnout on a bright but chilly morning, with two rides departing from Holt Drive. John offered a short ride to Millie's and was joined by Betty, Anne, Terry, Dennis, Helen, Mike, Rob, Marcus, Andrew and Sophie. The riders departed Loughborough via Meadow Lane, turning south in Stanford to Cotes and then climbing to Hoton. From here they headed east to Wymeswold taking Narrow Lane to Six Hills Sophie leading Anne along Narrow Lane where they joined Paudy Lane for an easy run downhill and down wind to Millie's. After sampling the excellent fare on offer, the riders returned to Loughborough via Barrow, arriving around noon. Anne, Terry, Dennis, Helen, Mike, Rob, Marcus, Andrew and Sophie at Millie's

Short Ride Report by John The forecast had been for a mild and dry morning, but around 9am the rain poured down and it was still raining when the riders, who had either set out before the rain came down or decided to tolerate it, gathered at Holt Drive. Enough riders assembled to justify two rides and John was persuaded that a short ride to Cossington would meet the bill. He was joined by Tim, Mick, Marcus, John N., Helen, Andrew and Eric . As the riders set off the rain ceased and shortly afterwards the sun came out. As the riders departed Loughborough via Meadow Lane a police car with blue lights flashing and horn wailing sped up from behind, causing a concatenation of the group as riders stopped to get out of the way. Eric leading John N. and Helen towards Cotes In Stamford the riders turned right to Cotes, crossing the A60 to reach Bandalls Lane, which took them to Walton Lane. At this point Eric, who had been caught in the rain storm was suffering from cold hands and feet, as...