Wednesday 30th June 2021

A rather overcast and very cool morning for the end of June saw another good turnout with four rides departing from Holt Drive.

Short Ride Report

by John

As the wind was in the north (even though quite light) it was decided to head out through town and along Meadow Lane to the edge of East Leake, from where the group took Rempstone Road and Brickyard Lane to West Leake. After a brief consultation on which route to take (Rosalind was still suffering from injuries after a fall) all carried on north via Dark Lane to Gotham Road.It was then south downwind through Kingston to Normanton where hot drinks and cakes were obtained from the village shop, which was proving popular with several other cyclists present.

The riders then returned over Fox Hill arriving in Loughborough at about noon.

Intermediate Ride

by David

Although key riders were away on the King Alfred Way ride, there were still 20 that turned up on this overcast Wednesday morning. The Intermediate ride, led by David, departed from Holt Drive with Mick, Myles and Pat. We were headed for Bouverie Lodge.

He headed out to Barrow-upon-Soar, taking the road bridge over the A6, then following another cyclist to the traffic lights by the Boat House pub. We turned right in a bunch at the dinosaur roundabout, and were reminded by a passing motorist that we should be in single file.

After following Melton Road, we embarked on the climb of Paudy Lane accompanied by much speeding traffic. At Six Hills, we continued along Six Hills Lane until we reached the A606.

Following the left turn, there is a long steep downhill winding road (remind me never to do this route in reverse). After a few hundred yards there was a left turn; but it was the wrong one. We had to go another 300 yds for the turning into Bouverie Lodge. This is a pleasant café, set back from the road, with a choice of sweet or savoury snacks to have with coffee. I chose the Bison pastie which I recommend; Mick had a Lincolnshire sausage roll. At least one of us a had a long fruit flapjack. As we sat under the covered outdoor space, I forgot to take a photo.

No sooner had we resumed our ride, the road took a sharp bend, followed by another in to Nether Broughton. After this, there was a steady climb to Upper Broughton, then the relief of, at last, turning off busy roads onto the quiet Station Road. This took us past a pleasant village, an old station house near the railway line and farms, until we reached the A46. Skirting round the Leicester North Hotel, we were on the road past Willoughby-on-the-Wolds. We dropped into Wymeswold, and said goodbye to Pat. The rest of us continued to Rempstone, then carried on past the DMRC. Mick continued on the road, while Myles and I turned left into Leake Lane. Riding down this is like being on a boneshaker. The sun began to come out. We rode through Loughborough, then on our separate ways.

Most of us should have been home before 1 o’clock, having travelled 30.3 miles at an average speed of 12.3 mph, and an elevation gain of 1266 ft.

Intermediate Ride 2

by Alan

Warning! If any riders are thinking of stopping off at Sunnyside Nurseries, close to Ibstock, for coffee etc. then DON’T.

It started off so well. After 22 miles of fairly hard slog we arrived at 11.30 to find the place bustling and reasonably busy. Admittedly we were required to show our bus passes and pension books as they seemed to have a “no under 70 years old age rule”. Undeterred, we opted for a large round table outside and our order was quickly taken; 5 teas, 1 coffee, 1 teacake and a couple of other cakes. 40 minutes on we were still waiting whilst all others around us, who had arrived later, had been served. The waitress was called over and we were told that our order had been lost. If we had sat closer to the door the “system” would have still retained our order. Silly us. The teas etc. finally arrived, together with just 1 long sundae ice cream spoon to stir 5 cups of tea. Patience was wearing thin. I thought my tea had a distinct soapy tinge to it. I was just thankful that Phil was not with us otherwise there would have been blood on the floor. On reflection the table was ideal for séances, bearing in mind the extraordinary time we were required to wait for our order to finally arrive and the age of the customers inside.

Anyway this is meant to be a ride report so……….

At Holt Drive I was not confident of getting anyone to come with me. I warned potential riders the route, although only 30 miles, would be on the hilly side. No one would look me in the eye; obviously people were looking round for other options. Eventually John cajoled, Margaret, Trish, Robert, David and Mick to follow me. The first half of the route was to be Quorn >> Swithland Reservoir >> Newtown Linford >> Groby >> Ratby >> Thornton >> Ellistown and finally Ibstock. That took in 22 of the 30 miles. It included the climbs of Wood Lane coming out of Quorn, Swithland Road, Warren Hill, Groby Road, Burroughs Road, the main street in Thornton and Thornton Lane. 

The return journey after the epic coffee stop was much more urban but had the sting in the tale of clambering up Meadow Lane but then it was plain sailing through Oaks in Charnwood before hitting Nanpantan Road. In the latter stages the sun came out, which didn’t help my hangover from the previous day, the men perspired and the ladies glistened but we all kept together.

 

Another Intermediate Ride, Ride3

this one by Keith.

There are only 3 on the way out and none on the way back said Keith when asked about hills on the route to Thrussington. Naively believing him, Leigh joined Andrew and Rob S.
Through town with a bit of canal bank down to Meadow Lane, Stanford, Cotes and up New Lane into Walton on the Wolds. Was that Hill 1? No, that is leaving the village. No 2 is up to the crossroads, and the climb into Seagrave doesn’t count. No 3 out of Seagrave - “my Garmin says that was 12%” says Leigh. Safely (!) across the A46 and coffee at the deli. Some immaculately groomed horse cavalry arrived as we left towards Ratcliffe, then another forgotten hill from the A46 bridge to Humble Lane. Through Rothley and admired the posh mansions on the Ridgeway, into Quorn and back. Around 25 miles, lots of chat and I think I was forgiven for the extra hills.