Wednesday 18th August 2021

The forecast is for light cloud with a moderate breeze proved to be correct and despite it being quite cool and several riders away, there was another good turnout requiring 3 rides.

Short Ride Report

by John

After the two other rides had left John, Rosalind, Marcus, Sue, Siva, Derek, Patrick and Isobel remained. It was decided to head west across Garendon and then choose from a variety of routes to the village shop at Normanton on Soar. After negotiating all the dog walkers across Garendon Park, the riders headed north through Long Whatton and onto Kegworth crossing the Soar to reach Kingston. From here it was south through Sutton Bonington and ignoring the road closed signs on the Normanton. Here they met Ray, already esconsed in the shop, and enjoyed the excellent and low cost drink and food.

Leaving the village, the riders discovered that the road closure was due to a trench being dug across the road for a gas pipe and only extended for ten yards. Taking advantage of a very quiet road back to Stanford, the riders returned to Loughborough via Meadow Lane just after noon.

Long ride – 18th August 2021

Report by David

On a slightly autumnal morning with continuous cloud, Terry was first to offer a ride.

He was accompanied by Rob Smith, Philip, Mick and David.

Terry took us up Beacon Road to Pytchley Drive, then across to the Fairmeadows, joining Allendale Road and onto the A6004. We kept a moderate speed. We passed through Quorn and, at Mountsorrel went left onto Mountsorrel Lane across to Sileby. As with my previous ride, we sailed down to Cossington, interrupted briefly by traffic lights, with our captain commanding a right good crew through Wanlip Lakes.

Needing no navigational break, he took us up onto Meadow Lane and crossed the bridge over the A46 to a path alongside Barkby Brook where one can have some fun hollering in tunnels. After being careful not to collide with thin bollards, we emerged from Walkers Way, fairly centrally in Syston, then braved the multiple junction to find Barkby Road.

A slight mist of rain threatened as we maintained our speed past the cemetery. The road takes a left turn, and soon provides entrance to one of Mick’s favourite roads. Ridgemere Lane was built for cyclists. It affords views over the hills and its bends lessen its appeal as a rat run. Then Rob pointed out that what goes down must come up. Sure enough, after descending from Ridgemere Lane the uphill through South Croxton had us challenged and we were appreciative of a short stop once we reached the top.

We followed the road down, across a crossroads, then up to Barsby. We turned left in Barsby, past a former pub which is now a splendid 3-storey house with a red door, then soon joined Ashby Road. This took us through Gaddesby, and towards the A607, past a rather deep dry roadside ditch.

The A607 is not the easiest road to cross, but at least has a wide central reservation. A footpath took us to Rearsby where we had to avoid a reversing supermarket delivery van. From Rearsby we crossed the railway and headed into Thrussington. The little list of riders was about to get shorter as Mick had a prior appointment. He was missed as we queued at the hatch of Thrussington’s for refreshments.

The Victoria Sponge portions were very large, and Terry did wonder how he could eat it. This led to discussions about a person with a hinged jaw, then to other (ahem!) bodily orifice matters and shared anedotes on experiences of invasive medical diagnostic procedures, which the 3 seated gentlemen in the photo wisely preferred not to be seen, heard or spoken of outside Thrussington Green. Incidentally, there is a thatched cottage behind them in the photo, with an incomplete date – there is a prize for the first person to say what is the missing digit (clue: it is a number associated with little maids from school).

After some navigational weighing up, we were game to go back via Hoby. This village has me confused with it 3 double bends, or possibly 4. At the last one we had the option of going to Frisby (last time we did that, we had to come back, because of floods). However, we took the Ragdale Road. This was to be our most hilly experience of the whole ride. But we did it, and emerged onto the Six Hills Lane.

Although, in theory, this was downhill all the way home, we discovered a strong westerly wind. Even on the way down Paudy Lane, it seemed like we had to pedal hard to avoid being blown back up the hill.

Soon we were back in Loughborough by the usual route. The ride was 35 miles, with an altitude gain of 1335 feet. Our average speed was 12.3 mph.

Another Longish Ride, by Vic.

I arrived a little later than normal for me at the Holt Drive rendezvous. A largish group of excited riders were already waiting expectantly. I joined the throng and exchanged pleasantries with several fellow riders. Time was ticking by and there was a distinct lack of Chiefs, plenty of Indians. The clouds parted and John Catt appeared. It became obvious that some of the usual ride leaders were not coming so I volunteered to lead a 30 mileish ride to March House Farm at Eye Kettleby.
John announced this to the throng and seven brave souls stepped forward. So we set of along the functional if uninspiring cycle path to Quorn where we turned left to Barrow and there onto Paudy Lane, our first climb had started. We turned right at the crossroads and headed through Seagrave to the A46 crossroads where the group looked for their chance to cross. After safely regrouping on the far side we enjoyed the downhill to Thrussington where we turned left towards Hoby, just before Hoby we took the right turn to Rotherby where we ascended the steep climb up to the Melton Road. We crossed and enjoyed the quieter rolling road to Gadesby where we turned left at the top of the village eventually turning onto the Great Dalby road. By this time the question of ‘are we there yet?’ Was beginning to be heard, a bit like those family car journeys to distant destinations!
Fortunately after turning left at Great Dalby, like a mirage, our pit stop appeared.
The Indoor cafe is still closed but an extended Coffee Hut and covered in barn or outside seating were adequate for our needs so everyone chose a drink and cake of their choice and settled down to enjoy them.

We departed a half an hour later towards Melton at the junction with the Melton Road we turned left along the busy section into Kirby Bellars where thankfully we turned right to Asfordby and then towards Hoby. At Hoby I offered the group the option of retracing our steps to Thrussington or to break new ground and head to Ragdale. The latter was the option chosen so when we regrouped at the top of the stiff climb out of Ragdale some were questioning the choice. We negotiated the busy mile of Road to the A46 where after passing under it we turned left onto Paudy Lane at the crossroads we had another pow wow and Trish left us to head home to Quorn whilst the rest of us pedalled through Walton and onto Walton Lane. At the Bandalls Lane junction I left the group to their own devices and I headed back home via Barrow.
I presume everyone made it home safely as I have not heard of any missing persons on the news!
The ride was probably approximately 35 miles with a fair bit of elevation. Hopefully everybody enjoyed it, I certainly did!!!