Wednesday 21st July 2021
After two sweltering days, this Wednesday morning was overcast and a bit cooler than of late with a gentle but detectable breeze. Again there was another excellent turnout with sufficient riders to justify four separate rides.
Short Ride Report
by John
As the faint breeze seemed to wafting form the east it was decided to head for the Race Hub at Six Hills. John was joined by Dom, his brother Sean ( a new rider in the area on holiday), Clyde, David and Patrick (who we had not seen out with the group for many weeks).
The riders cut through Shelthorpe and joined the cycle path towards Quorn then turning for Barrow on Soar and the climb up onto the Salt Way. The ride proceeded without incident and the riders arrived at the Race Hub at Six Hill to find most of the car parking slots taken. However refreshments were served promptly and the riders found seating as were able to observe swimmers of all types venturing around the lake.
The group then returned via Wymeswold and Stamford on Soar, arriving back in Loughborough at noon.
Intermediate Ride Report
by David
Ride to Ulverscroft – 21st July 2021There was a heat haze at 9:30 when riders gathered, and many will have experienced some cool air in contrast to the balmy evening the day before.
Howard had used an old route from the LWC website, (which if downloaded can be viewed in the Bikehike course creator, linked in). This is a tricky business, and the route was not so much displayed as revealed in a sequence of turnings at short notice. At times it appeared that Howard had chosen the route, at other times it seemed to be the work of the original course creator (also Howard).
Howard was followed by Margaret, Derek, David, Pat and Vic. We were promised some hills.
Howard’s bike was as clean as a whistle and his red frame glistened in the sun, so we knew we were going somewhere clean.
Howard found yet another different way to get to Allendale Road, via Manor Road and a small alleyway that took us from Shelthorpe to Woodthorpe in a few yards.
We continued through Quorn and Mountsorrel, where Derek used distraction tactics to prevent a turn up Wood Lane. Instead, Howard led us up a narrow path of the Leicester Road that emerged on Rothley Road. We turned right onto Walton Way, then joined W Cross Lane to The Ridings. This took us at a fair speed downhill to Rothley Grange.
As we passed Rothley Grange towards Rothley GCR station, a bracket on Howard’s bike came loose. It had been held on by a small bolt that had come all the way from China, perhaps it was fluorescent pink; but we weren’t going back to look for it. Derek offered a transplant of a small grey bolt from his bike, and Howard gratefully accepted. Vic suggested we nip round to Rothley Grange for early coffee.
We continued towards Cropston, but turned right into Bradgate Road, where the promised hills could be seen in the morning haze as we dipped into a valley. Crossing past the reservoir, we were led through Bradgate Park. It was quite busy, with rangers’ vehicles and parents taking children to run off some energy chasing deer.
Emerging the wrong way up the entrance, we came out onto Bradgate Road and passed old favourite watering holes, like the Post Office.
We had come over 10 miles with yet no real hills to speak of or puff over.
After our turn into Markfield Lane, the climbing began. Fortunately, there was not much traffic. At the top, we avoided Field Head roundabout by taking refuge on a slip road to a pedestrian crossing over the A50. Two lady runners overtook us here, and we regrouped the other side of the roundabout at the start of the road through Markfield. At the top of that hill, the road bends right to become Whitwick Road, goes over the A50, then heads for Copt Oak.
Along Whitwick Road, Ulverscroft Grange is off to the right followed by a steep descent. Upon our arrival five of us circuited the building a couple of times like bees looking for a source of nectar, while Derek sat at a table with a view out over the meadows guarding the bikes. We joined Derek. Courgette and Lime Cake was the cake of the week, and it was delicious. The coffee was strong and most enjoyable. Much discussion was had about how to use a bumper harvest of courgettes. The sun beat down upon us and our hostess kindly took photos of us. Howard considered that the route home, for most of us was simple.
Short of Copt Oak, the course creator sent us left onto Old House Road, which took us over the M1, then right onto Copt Oak Road, back over the M1.
At the Copt Oak lights, Howard’s Garmin was indicating a left turn, yet again over the M1. Derek, Margaret and Pat could see the best route home was straight, so went along Nanpantan Road. David and Howard crossed the M1 for the 3rd, not for the first time bamboozled by the course creator’s impulsive sense of direction. This would have continued past Abbey Road; but it was time to head for home. So, we followed Abbey Road all the way to Shepshed before the final and fourth crossing over the M1, then the cycle path alongside the new A512 in to Loughborough. The mileage for the round trip was 24 miles at an average speed of 10.5 mph. Howard and David gained 1414 feet elevation, and everyone would have been home by 1 o’clock.
Terry's Intermediate Ride
Report by Terry
On a slightly cooler morning, Terry led 6 other riders out through Loughborough by crossing the town centre, (the worst part of the ride} and set off over the Meadows towards East Leake via Stanford Hill. Anne, Rosalind, Marcus, Myles, Phillip and Rob dutifully followed (although Phillip did disappear ahead at times, pitting his wits against Leicestershire's hills I'm not sure who won). Having negotiated the temporary lights in East Leake , Costock soon went by and a well needed drinks stop at Wysall was taken with Anne and Rosalind, who were a little bit behind turning right to Wymeswold when the rest of us had turned left to sit on the seats but we did the correct thing and shouted them!
Through the metropolis of Thorpe in the Glebe and on to Wymeswold.
The sleepy road by the Church in Wymeswold was busy; cars reversing out and a breakdown lorry in the middle but safely passed, onwards and upwards we progressed to Six Hills and then down the lengthy Paudy Lane towards Barrow upon Soar, but with our refreshment stop taken sat outside at Millies, now in sunshine.
Phillip had arrived ahead and had opened a tab to pay for our refreshments to celebrate Rosalind’s birthday. Happy Birthday and thank you Rosalind.
Drink orders were given inside where cakes were chosen and brought out. Having eaten the cakes and still lucky to have Phillip with us, the long wait for our drinks passed with another instalment of Phillip’s ongoing (year on year) saga of his teeth and his impending lunchtime appointment with his dentist.
The drinks came on a tray from a not very friendly waitress who seemed to object to being asked which pot of tea was decaffeinated and as she said she had no idea which pot, she then guessed.!!
Feeling refreshed, Rosalind set off with Phillip behind to take him to the dentist and shortly after the rest set off for Loughborough via Barrow, Slash Lane, Mountsorrel and Quorn.
20 miles to the coffee shop and 7 back to Loughborough. A delightful summer morning ride.
Unfortunately with Philip's fascinating story of his teeth and the shock of free tea and coffee we all forgot about the obligatory photo!
Through the metropolis of Thorpe in the Glebe and on to Wymeswold.
The sleepy road by the Church in Wymeswold was busy; cars reversing out and a breakdown lorry in the middle but safely passed, onwards and upwards we progressed to Six Hills and then down the lengthy Paudy Lane towards Barrow upon Soar, but with our refreshment stop taken sat outside at Millies, now in sunshine.
Phillip had arrived ahead and had opened a tab to pay for our refreshments to celebrate Rosalind’s birthday. Happy Birthday and thank you Rosalind.
Drink orders were given inside where cakes were chosen and brought out. Having eaten the cakes and still lucky to have Phillip with us, the long wait for our drinks passed with another instalment of Phillip’s ongoing (year on year) saga of his teeth and his impending lunchtime appointment with his dentist.
The drinks came on a tray from a not very friendly waitress who seemed to object to being asked which pot of tea was decaffeinated and as she said she had no idea which pot, she then guessed.!!
Feeling refreshed, Rosalind set off with Phillip behind to take him to the dentist and shortly after the rest set off for Loughborough via Barrow, Slash Lane, Mountsorrel and Quorn.
20 miles to the coffee shop and 7 back to Loughborough. A delightful summer morning ride.
Unfortunately with Philip's fascinating story of his teeth and the shock of free tea and coffee we all forgot about the obligatory photo!
Mick’s Intermediate Ride
Report by Rob
A small group - the remainder who couldn’t fit in the other rides or didn’t want to do the short ride - teamed up with Mick who agreed to put together a ride to Moo’s Café near Twyford. In a cool and hazy morning Mick, Rob, Elaine and Brian set out through Quorn and down the old A6 to Rothley and then via Syston up some very small roads through South Croxton to Twyford taking a slight detour to see the local viaduct.
Tea/coffee and cakes and a long chat in the warming sun ensued at Moo’s. A small group, but perfectly formed!
A
fun, relaxing ride through some really gorgeous countryside.
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