Wednesday 12th May 2021

Long(ish) Ride Report

by Alan

Lots of cyclists turned up this week, probably in part to the milder weather. I didn’t count them, that’s John’s job, but when Howard and I led our groups away quite a few riders still seemed to be left milling around. Something crazy might happen next week when the group sizes might increase beyond 6.

Our destination for coffee was Barton in Fabis, having had it on good authority from Marcus that the cafe there was finally open for outdoor customers. The group consisted of Sue, Marcus, Margaret, Mick and Trish. Some wag (Eric) on Strava suggested we were related to Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch from the 60’s. If so then I suppose I’m Dozy.

Our route to Barton bypassed the railway station, and on to Stanford on Soar via Meadow Lane, then Normanton, Sutton Bonington and West Leake. Leaving town we didn’t get stopped by the usual massive number of red traffic lights for once and so we made good time and arrived at the stop by 11.00am. The grounds were quite busy with customers but we got served quickly. There was a distinct feel that things were beginning to return to “normal”.The teas were a bit tiny but what do you expect for £1.90? Marcus dipped into his pocket and paid for the whole lot! Conversations turned to (splinter) Whatsapp groups where I tried to persuade Mick to join the human race and buy a mobile phone. He was having none of it, comparing the whole idea to witchcraft. I gave up after a while.

The middle part of the ride took on an urban feel as we skirted around South Nottingham, (Clifton and Ruddington) before we joined the A60 for a short dash to Bradmore. Having forgotten my cycle helmet this week I was pleased my expensive new rear light was working well, blinding white van man from a considerable distance. From there it was back in the countryside via Keyworth, Stanton on the Wolds, Widmerpool, Willoughby on the Wolds and Wymeswold. This is why I get confused ... so many villages begin with the letter “W”, and they all have something to do with “the wolds” whatever that is.

Marcus and Sue left us just before Wymeswold as they had to get home earlier and there was no way of knowing how long Mick would take in the bushes. The remaining group members split up in Burton on the Wolds. A nice ride this week; very few hills, no rain and around 35 miles in total. Arrived back in Loughborough at 1.15pm

Intermediate Ride Report

by David for 24-mile ride via Swithland and Normanton

Whilst the weather this week provided short bursts of rain and even hail, we were hopeful of a relief from extremes today and the weather promisingly started much warmer than the previous 2 weeks.

David set off with Keith, Mick, Myles, Nicki, Shilpa, Phil and Rob. We took a typical route via Shelthorpe where we were temporarily accompanied by Patrick Crowhurst and another rider. We surged through Quorn and then took a right turn up Wood Lane. This has become a familiar route to some of us, and the leader moved to almost rear position as other riders showed their mettle on the hill. After a quick drink at the top of the hill, we were led off down the hill to Rothley, and turned right into The Ridings. This took us over Swithland Reservoir and into the village of Swithland. We proceeded along Main Street, and waved to Patrick coming in the opposite direction. Shortly later, we also waved to the short ride also following that course.

Our route took us along Brand Lane to Woodhouse, then down the fast stretch into Quorn. At the crossroads traffic lights we crossed our earlier path and headed for Barrow-upon-Soar. As we approached the roundabout near the A6, “Road Closed” signs partly barred our way; but this is often an indication of a quiet ride. However, the signs did not deter all cars. Just after the bridge over the Soar, we were greeted by smiling workmen as they leant on their shovels and waved us through. We proceeded along Nottingham Road, over hill and vale until Walton Lane. Here we turned left, then right along Bandalls Lane. We turned into Cotes Road, then cut across the B676 to take more water at Cotes.

By now the sun had come out, and the busy road gave us an excuse to stop a little way along Stanford Lane for a drink. The next leg of the ride took us to our café stop, but first we had to negotiate Fox Hill. The zeal of most riders was still in evidence on that hill, but we gathered shortly afterwards and called in at the Village Hall, Normanton as a group. The staff were please to see us, and this stop proved a welcome chance for a chat, coffee and muffins. You will see that we had many different colours of attire, which did help with ensuring everyone was accounted for.

As we left, we noticed the bees coming and going through the timbers of an old house, as in previous years. We carried on through Normanton, Zouch and Hathern, where we said cheerio to Rob. The rest of us rode alongside the A6 into Loughborough. We turned off at Darwin Crescent and took Writers Way and Osbourne Drive to get back onto the cycle path on the right-hand side of Epinal Way. I lost count of the number of riders whose destination was in this area, but four of us carried on down the Epinal Way until the green belt near Mountfields School.

We were back by about 12:15, having covered 23.8 miles at an average sped of 11.5 mph, and we were not rained or hailed upon.

Short Ride

After the other three groups had left just Lyn, Lee and John remained at Holt Drive. John had noticed that his rear wheel was rubbing against the frame and tried unsuccessfully to adjust it. It was therefore decided to take a short detour to Bramcote Road to swap bikes before heading south out past Mucklin Wood. The riders then rode through Swithland (after passing the intermediate group coming the other way) and on towards Rothley before descending to Cossington.

However, before allowing the riders to get to their refreshments, John took a diversion down the cycle track to the Soar. He had been told that this had been blocked for repairs. In fact the track remains open, the obstruction being to the south of the Hope and Anchor. So after reaching the Meadow Lane bridge the riders returned whence they had come and got to their refreshments at the Cossington Garden Centre.

Coincidentally Patrick and Laurie arrived shortly after them and joined them in the gardens.

The riders returned via Sileby and Mountsorrel, reaching Loughborough just after noon.

 

 

Another Long(ish) Ride, Report

by Howard.

 4 of us, (myself, Vic, Eric and Bryan) left the square at Holts Drive heading for Hickling Wharf. We used the jitties  round the back of Loughborough College and Toothill Road to get across town then out along Meadow Lane to Stanford on Soar. Next it was East Leake, quickly followed by Costock, Wysall, and Widmerpool to the A46. Here we went off road on a track alongside the A46 that leads to the slip road that takes you over the dual carriageway and then back towards Kinoulton. A lovely steep descent into Kinoulton is followed by the right turn at the Neville Arms from which it is only a few minutes to Hickling Wharf. A table by the water and in the sunshine was taken and refreshments ordered. 

The return leg was left out of Hickling Wharf, the right along Green Lane just for a short distance before turning left up Hickling Lane. The rough tarmac lane much in need of maintenance, took us past the farm and further up, Muxlow Hill. At the T junction with Melton Road we turned left and down to Upper Broughton. From here it was the standard route along Station Road back to and over the A46, to Willoughby, and Wymeswold, here  Eric and Vic disappeared up Narrow Lane to go to Barrow and home, whilst Bryan and myself headed to Burton on the Wolds and then on to Cotes and home.

Distance about, 35 miles