Wednesday 16th June 2021

Short Ride Report 16th June 2021

by John

While there had been another good turnout, by the time 3 other rides had left, just John, Rosalind and Isobel were left at Holt Drive. After waiting a few minutes, in case any late riders turned up, it was decided to head south on a circuitious route to the Garden Centre at Cossington. The riders left Loughborough via the rather bumpy route past Mucklin Wood to Woodhouse and then proceeded through Swithland and Rothley to the edge of Birstall via the bridge over the A6 that Rosalind had not used before.

John again failed to find the entrance to the park he was looking for and ended up coming in from the south. The park is now fully covered in summer foliage and it was glorious to just enjoy the sunshine and the waterscape. However, after leaving Watermead John discovered that he had misunderstood where the canal path north was blocked. This meant a diversion to the east towards Syston, before the riders could rejoin the cycle route to Cossington.

After quite a long wait in the queue drinks and tea cakes were obtained and the riders enjoyed their refreshments in a sunny arborial setting, before returning to Loughborough via Silebay and Mountsorrel (c.20 miles).

Medium Ride Report 16th June 2021

by Keith

On a glorious hot morning seven of us set off towards Staunton Harold – Trish, Mick, David, Bryan, Rob Smith, Rob Stevens and Keith. We followed cycle route 6 out through the Garendon trail, Belton and Osgathorpe up to the top road above Worthington. During a drink stop we decided to take the path down the hill to Worthington rather than going via the road, so we hit the Cloud Trail just near its start, then back onto the road and into Staunton Harold by the long one-way drive.

We went to the normal café in the courtyard, but spotted that the deli in the corner there now does drinks and snacks – somewhere to try next time. Consumption of tea, coffee, scones, etc. was accompanied with conversation over Covid restrictions (practical examples provided by Rob S from Leics County cricket ground) and whether we should just get used to it as we do with flu. Bryan had to leave early as was competing on a bowls tournament, and eventually the rest of us faced up to the fact that whichever way we left it would involve a hill or two. So off we went via the Calke exit then down the lane towards Breedon, where there was more than normal traffic with one of them intent on not slowing down or moving over. A minor mechanical for Keith was overcome, so we returned through Tonge and Diseworth, with folk peeling off to their homes as we entered Loughborough. We did about 29 miles with 1400ft of climbing. 

Long Ride Report 16th June 2021

by Philip

Setting off from the square on the long ride were Dave, Pat, Phil and leader Mick. Travelling along the west side of Epinal way and then along the cycle path to One Ash, Quorn was reached without incident. At the Dinosaur in Barrow, we turned left but who should we come across , Alan busy on driving duties for his daughter. Burton on the Wolds was next and then over to Wymeswold where I bumped into grindsman Dave, daughter, his land-rover and most importantly, ladder which will be needed shortly. Right and left took us through the glebe and in glorious weather we arrived in Wysall. I had seen pictures of a new road mending machine on East Midlands today but on the road out of Wysall, there was the machine in full on action, spraying grunging down, etcetera etcetera etcetera. Splendid stuff. A particular feature of the ride were the stops to ascertain our goals but also to examine some points of interest. Near The Great North Road, we stopped to inspect a placque placed to commemorate the capture and execution of Dick Turpin. Something to do with aliases, underground passages and the like. I think there is a similar one at a pub on the A447, just north of its junction with the A5.... Have we got 15 minutes asked Mick, yes we said and we detoured to examine the abandoned church of St Mary's located in the original Colston Bassett village rather north of where it is now. Passing the creamery, famous for its appearance on many a Stilton cheese wrapper, we continued on to the wild flower centre cafe adjacent to both Langar airfield and world of marble, where we obtained our kitchen worktops. And no, we don't have an island in our kitchen! Regular readers may recall that on our last visit to Langar wild flower cafe,  the lady behind the counter said that we looked as if we might have ridden over from Leicestershire and banished us off to the far corner at a one person to a table ratio to meet the then covid regs. No such problem this time as we sat outside but a lady with a shaven head was definitely close to breaking over some bacon. Remounting, we paused briefly by a memorial to allied aircrew, Mick thought possibly Polish, then it was on , on, ever on! Reaching Nether Broughton, that's where it all went wrong. Leading the breakaway, Dave and I turned right and rode to Upper Broughton but Pat and Mick, like the wise men, returned a different way.  From Wymeswold, we rode down the A60 through Cotes, back home, a total for me of 44 miles. Thanks to all for a lovely mornings ride. Philip.