Wednesday 29th September 2021

A rather chilly early autumn day with the usual clear air produced by a fresh north-westerly wind saw a high turnout of riders.

Long Ride Report (29th Sept 2021)

By Alan

Large numbers of riders were circulating around Keith, anxious to get their names down for the social event of the year, namely the Wednesday Cyclists’ Christmas Lunch. Vic, Brian, Phil and Trish detached themselves from this melee and joined me on what was going to be a blustery ride out to Moo’s Kitchen outside Twyford.

The outward leg of the journey was a delight, primarily because a strong wind was pushing us along through Sileby, Cossington, East Goscote and Gaddesby. The fun came to an abrupt end when faced with a stiff climb, and a strong cross wind, up to Holland’s Nurseries where Moo’s Kitchen is situated. The climb was worth it. The venue has had a complete makeover since I was last there (about 3 years ago and pre-plague). Tea was £1.50 per pot or two pots for £2.50 (!). Vic and Phil immediately opted for a fine looking fruit cake. Mindful of the raptures an innocent picture of a scone caused yesterday on the Whatsapp group, I’m relieved I didn’t take a photo of said fruit cake. There could be a real danger of it sparking a reaction similar to Meg Ryan’s infamous scene in the film “When Harry met Sally” if I attached that to the ride report.

Having munched our way through cakes etc. we set off for Somerby which was to be the turnaround point. The return leg was challenging to say the least. A multitude of sharp hills and a strengthening, squally breeze, whilst passing through Little Dalby, Great Dalby, Rotherby and Thrussington sapped the energy of everyone apart from Vic. The latter never seems to wilt and he once came up with the statement that no one should ever need the inner ring on their front crank for the roads in Leicestershire as they’re not that steep. 

The last leg was the worst. By now it was around 1.30pm and the wind had picked even more. I was ready to fall off my bike by the time I reached home at 2.00pm having cycled 49 miles. Strava told me that the climbing was 674 metres but the wind made it feel a lot more. The one consolation, as I sat down in the lounge for a cuppa, was the heavens finally opened up. How’s that for timing?

Intermediate Ride 1

Report by Bryan

Cyclists - Margaret, Robert, Mick and Bryan.
Distance 34 miles Elevation 1384ft.
Cafe stop - Melbourne Tea Rooms.

Leaving Loughborough by the University and onto Ashby Road we made our way over the motorway and turned right at the lights towards Shepshed. In the hollow we turned left onto Cambridge street and continued to Tickow Lane where we turned right to pick the cycle route along the Garenden Trail to Belton.

We the followed the cycle route along Grace Dieu Road and up through Osgathorpe to the start of the Cloud Trail at Top Brand.

After the recent rain We chickened out of taking trail here and used the road through Worthington to pick up the trail just before Breedon and enjoyed the tarmac surface all the way to Melbourne avoiding fallen tree branches where appropriate.

At the tea rooms Mick joined some old friends from Coalville cycling club whilst Robert, Margaret and Bryan sat with refreshments contemplating whether shorts were the best choice for a cold, windy day.

The ride back avoided the climbs to Breedon by returning along the Cloud Trail to Breedon and, via Tonge, climbed up to the M42 island turning towards Diseworth. From the island and all the way through Long Whatton the sun was out and the wind behind us - great cycling conditions. Robert left us at his home in Hathern and we returned along the brook onto Epinal way and Loughborough.

A very enjoyable morning on a quiet route with sun and good company.

Intermediate Ride 2, via Wellingtons Café, Cherry Lane Garden Centre.

Report by David

There was an autumnal chill in the air, as some 27 riders assembled at Holt Drive.  From these, Howard led an intermediate ride, accompanied by Andrew, Keith, Pat, Paul, Betty and David.  Paul and Betty were relatively new to Loughborough Wednesday Cyclists, and we were careful to watch the pace of the ride.

We set off via the green belt, avoiding the flurry of squirrels around the horse chestnut trees, and Emmanuel Way to William Street and Broad Street.  We continued along Bridge Street to Meadow Lane, along which we exited Loughborough.  As with the ride I led last week, there were a few stragglers for the bit through Loughborough; but there we had traffic signals and traffic to contend with.

The sun came out as we crossed the meadow to Stanford on Soar.  We were all okay with the climb out of Stanford on Soar, up Leake Lane, which had some traffic.  However, the eponymous rally club was absent; probably because of the recent fuel frenzy.  We crossed the A6006, after a larger tanker sped past, and proceeded down Loughborough Road to East Leake.  We took the Gotham Road, where just after crossing the railway bridge the road turns right. Down the hill a little way, we turned right into Bunny Lane.  This was a mainly quiet road and gently downhill.

We crossed the A60, and turned right into Fairham Brook Lane, a narrow hardly-used road by the side of Fairham Brook.  After bumping along there, Wysall Lane took us north out of the shelter of the hills, and the westerly breeze became apparent and put a stop to conversations.
Soon after a crossroads, where the road to Keyworth crosses, was our coffee stop at Wellingtons Café in Cherry Lane Garden Centre.  It was good to see this establishment fully operational with many customers, and cyclists were allowed a 10% discount. We sat outside and enjoyed a chat about a few topics.  One of these was with regard to the Donington race track, and whether we could enter a team of cyclists to compete on it.  Unfortunately, the track is somewhat hilly.  There was plenty of time for the others to chat, as I had bought one of their massive rock cake scones with jam and cream.  One of the other customers wished me luck with the rest of my ride.  

We resumed our ride, heading back to the Keyworth Road, and following it into Keyworth.  Funnelling ourselves into the Selby Lane turning, we continued out of Keyworth into the countryside.   A pong of manure was short lived as the wind carried us into an affluent area with huge entrance gates and driveways that stretched almost out of sight.  We arrived at Widmerpool and, with a swift right and left turn, were on our way to Willoughby-on-the-Wolds.  Pat left us here, and we carried on downhill to Wymeswold. 

There were some roadworks on the A6006, but we turned left past the church avoiding them, then right, past a queue of people outside the little Pharmacy, then right, and then took Burton Lane. This road led with ups and downs to the far side of Burton-on-the-Wolds.  We passed through Burton-on-the-Wolds, briefly down Prestwold Lane, then left onto the Loughborough Road where we were cycling into the wind.  To avoid close traffic and for some respite from the wind, we turned right onto Back Lane.  Andrew offered us chocolate, but there were no takers.  Crossing the A60 was hazardous, but with directions from those who had crossed first, the rest of us crossed safely.  Along Stanford Lane, vehicles passed us every bit as close as they would along the A60, but arguably less quickly. 

From Stanford on Soar, we returned to Loughborough and took our various routes home.  The ride was about 29 miles, with a total ascent of 1152 feet. We averaged 11.4 mph, indicating that our new riders are well able to keep up.

Short Ride

Report by John

For the last few weeks there had been few takers for the short ride, but this week John found himself left with a group of ten - Rosalind, Myles, Lynn, Eric, Rob, Derek, John, Savi and Lee

With such a large group it was decided that a tea place with adequate capacity was needed so Jade tea rooms in Newtown Linford was selected.

The riders headed out through the Shelthorpe estate and then on south through Quorn and up Wood Lane to Rothley, through Cropston across the Reservoir dam to the northern entrance to Bradgate Park.

Despite it being a sunny day, the numbers in the Park were modest and the riders had a relatively unhindered ride through to the tea room. After an excellent repast the group returned through the park and on home through Swithland, Woodhouse and Quorn, arriving back in Loughborough around noon.