Wednesday 6th October 2021

Long Ride - The A team!

Report by Rob

Nine riders opted for the long ride to Willington. We decided to split the ride into two groups. The cream rose to the top and the A Team was formed with Marcus, Brian and Rob setting out under the superb leadership of Alan. After extricating ourselves from Loughborough, into a serious headwind, via the A6 and Long Whatton we took the cycle path onto East Midlands Airport and cut through there and through Donnington Park to avoid traffic on our way to Melbourne. From Melbourne we crossed the Trent via the causeway from Stanton by Bridge and then took back roads to the Mercian Marina at Willington.

We were happy to recommend the cake and bacon buttties when the B Team finally arrived. We returned through Repton and Ticknall with strict instructions from Alan not to stop on the way through Calke Abbey - we didn't have our NT cards with us! We returned to Loughborough from there through Belton and Shepshed. The wind, fortunately decided not to change direction so returning was so much easier. It was only the long stop at Willington that kept our average below 20mph! Well, not really, but we were the A Team!

It was a great day for cycling the 45 miles that I had on my computer when I got home.

Long Ride - The B team

Report by Vic

After a bit of confusion from the night before WhatsApp exchanges the usual motley group of Lycra clad individuals assembled at the Holt Drive rendezvous.

The weather forecast was for bright but breezy conditions. John C was soon publicising the various route options on offer.

The longer ride confusingly had two leaders with the same destination. 9 intrepid individuals chose this option and we were then subdivided into 2 smaller groups. Alan’s group of 4 and Howard’s a group of 5. Alan’s group set off first, after a short while Howard led his group off via the University and various cycle paths to the Derby Road. We crossed paths with Alan's group here!

Following the A6 cycle path to Hathern we then turned off towards Diesworth, Isley Walton, Melbourne, Ticknall, Repton and finally Willington. There were a couple of themes that were omnipresent, one, the stiff breeze into our face and two, the numerous potential coffee stops Howard merrily pointed out as we passed by! At Willington we turned into the Marina which was a very impressive destination with a whole panoply of possible shopping experiences. We turned left for the Tea Rooms to be greeted by Alan’s group awaiting their refreshments having arrived a bit before us. 

After suitable refuelling and emptying of tanks we set off back hoping for a tail wind.

Initially retracing our route as far as Repton where we turned left towards Stanton by Bridge then circumventing Melbourne we joined the Cloud trail, finding one member of our group was a Cloud Trail virgin.

Leaving the CT at Tonge having carried our bikes up the steps we set out for Belton and then onto Shepshed. Here I left the group to go over the forest to home whilst the remainder headed back to Loughborough via Garendon Park.

I had done 57 miles by the time I arrived back home. The total for most would have been about 43 miles.

So thank you to Howard for leading and to Trish, Mick and Dave who along with myself  made up the band and backing singers.

Intermediate ride to Pumpkinz

Report by David

It was un unseasonably warm day with a westerly breeze, and the Intermediate ride attracted a group of seven. Mick G, Myles, Betty, Margaret, Paul, Rob and David waited briefly for the long ride to depart, before trying to keep everyone together through town, led by David.

We went through Stanford on Soar and, once up Fox Hill, it was the usual route through Normanton on Soar, Kingston on Soar and Ratcliffe on Soar. From here a few zig zags took us up to the A453 cycle path over the River Soar, where a Heron was waiting for lunch. We then turned onto the bramble-lined track that leads to the quiet Ratcliffe Lane and Warren Lane and over the River Trent to Sawley. At Sawley, we took a left turn past the White Lion, then left again along the narrow Wilne Road. This took us through Church Wilne and alongside St Chads Water and close to the River Derwent in places. It came out at Market Street Draycott, where there is a Mill complex wherein is housed Pumpkinz Cafe. A round table was fitting for we knights of the road to enjoy the treats (no tricks here) and chat.

Our route home took us further out along the A6005, over a railway line, to Borrowash. In the centre of Borrowash, we turned left along the B5010, which again crosses the railway and the River Derwent in the shade of trees. The road passes Elvaston Castle and takes a couple of bends and then we turned left along Ambaston Lane, which is another narrow lane along which one should not encounter many cars; but there’s always one, closely followed by another one. The road then enters the outskirts of Shardlow, and re-joins the B5010 past caravan sites and moorings. As we crossed the Cavendish Bridge, some of us took the short cycle track over the bridge. Shortly before the Sawley Junction roundabout, there is a track off to the right. About 100 yards up the track, is a turning under the Sawley Road that emerges alongside the A50. This cycle track then loops under the A50 just before the interchange with the M1. We followed the track back under the A50 past the Hilton Hotel up to Junction 24. We traversed the crossings to get to Derby Road, then Mick got a puncture.

Unfortunately, none of us had the tools necessary to remove his back wheel; so, Mick waited for a lady knight in shining armour. It was better for the rest of us to pass Kegworth the back way, to avoid the main traffic. However, most vehicles had the same idea, because there were roadworks in the village centre. Coming out of Kegworth and for the remainder of the journey, we followed the A6 with the wind behind us.

The total ride was about 34½ miles in just over 3 hours, with a modest elevation gain of 801 ft or 961 ft, depending on whose instrument you trust. Most of us were home by 1:30; but for Mick, it was 2pm.

Medium ride to East Goscote Nursery

Report by Terry.

Four of us, Anne, Keith, Siva and myself Terry, left Holt Drive along Outwoods Drive to East Goscote Nursery via Watermead Park.

Anne led the way for the first part, as this was the start of our “lockdown lap” from last year, when it was our exercise route. This proved very interesting last year as we saw the fields turn from brown earth in March to green as the crops grew as the spring progressed to harvesting in July/August. This route took us to Quorn and Woodhouse on our way to Swithland. As we passed Swithland reservoir we saw a freight train apparently being pushed by a steam engine, no I do not know what sort of engine it was, it was BLACK!

On we went to Rothley where Anne relinquished the lead, we turned right in Rothley through the new housing estate and passed the school to join the old A6 up to Wanlip. We passed over the new bridge and down towards Wanlip village and Birstall, hoping to find the correct entrance to Watermead, I did not fancy lifting Annes electric bike over the pedestrian gate again, I’m getting a bit old for that lark!

A very pleasant ride through Watermead and along the canal, we encountered no flooding although there were signs it had flooded earlier in the week.

At East Goscote Nursery tea and scones were ordered and taken to the table to be consumed, we thought it odd Siva was not eating! About five minutes later a lady brought an egg and sausage cob, they really spoilt him!

Keith left slightly earlier than the rest of us, as  he had a 3 line whip to be home by midday.

Anne, Siva and myself left a few minutes later suitably refreshed especially Siva. It was a straight ride back to Loughborough via Cossington, Sileby, Mountsorrel and Quorn.

Siva left Anne and myself at the One Ash traffic island towards the town and we carried on home.

A medium ride of 25 miles.

Short Ride

Report by Eric

As there were fewer takers for the short ride this week (everyone must have felt fit on such a lovely if windy morning) it was decided that only one ride of limited miles would take place.

Derek declared he had booked a table at Bearsleys in Rearsby so therefore it was a fait accompli and that was where we were heading. With Derek himself, Pat and the two Johns falling in behind the unlikely wheel marks of Eric!

As it turned out not only had Derek not declared the members interests that Holly, the owner of Beardsleys, was a family friend but neither had he booked the table. None of this subterfuge was discovered until our arrival, so the rest of us tootled off in a south easterly direction in complete ignorance and oblivion.

Through the Market place, up church gate and out on the Nottingham road until we turned right at Cotes and up Bandalls lane on the way to Walton. At Walton there was some huffing and puffing up Black Hill and more effort required up Big lane and onto Paudy Crossroads.

Here as the leader paused for breath and hydration, he took on the bizarre concept of democracy.

Did his fellow riders prefer a longer safer ride turning right up Paudy lane to six hills or straight on through Seagrave and chance the dice with death playing the game of chicken with trucks on the crossing of the A46 just beyond the LCFC training ground. Sensibly the plebiscite opted for the left turn to Six Hills.

Therefore up Paudy lane we went and right at the top safely under the A46 and continued until we turned right again towards Ragdale. The downhill was navigated at pace followed by a sharp left corner and a steep climb. However that was rewarded with a splendid long straight downhill to Hoby.

Turning towards Thrussington we proceeded until we took the left in the direction of our destination the unreserved table at Beardsleys!

When we arrived and the proprietor denied all knowledge of a booking but under cross examination did admit that during a conversation with an Adams family member, promotion of the establishment had been discussed.

Anyway leaving aside any claims of nepotism or brown envelopes, a lovely table outside, in a sunny little alcove, was soon found and any impropriety was soon forgiven as lashings of coffee and bacon sandwiches and tea cakes arrived and devoured. All was instantly forgiven.

After breakfast we resumed back to Thrussington, turned left to Ratcliffe, and there was a jaunty feeling that all was well in the beautiful Autumnal sunshine and being well satiated.

In Ratcliffe we turned right and went back under the A46 and struggled up hill to Humble lane. Rewarded with nice views of Soar valley and Charnwood Forest we whizzed down Humble into Cossington.

As we turned to Sileby Eric Declared he done his bit and went home and left the rest to fend for themselves on their return journey down the valley to Sunny Loughborough.