Wednesday 27th October 2021
A rather blustery and overcast autumn Wednesday saw a record turnout of over 30 riders.
Short Ride
Report by John
Once the hordes had left, just Rosalind, Pat, Eric, Lynn, Derek, Siva and John remained for the short ride. Various options including Ulverscroft and Syston were discussed but in the end it was decided to take the gentle route up the Beacon via Shephed and Charley Road. As the rider departed they were suddenly joined by Mike G who had been held up by having to wait after his booster jab.
The group headed out through the University to Shepshed, skirting the town to Tickow Lane and then up into the Forest along Charley Road. At the Nanpantan cross roads John spotted that Bowdon Lodge Farm was now offering refreshments. Whilst the other riders pressed on he investigated and discovered that while currently you can get drinks and snacks on a takeway basis, they are converting a barn into a tea shop that should be opening before the end of the year.
Having caught up with the other riders, it was then on to coffee via Deans Lane at the Beacon Cafe
Once refreshments had been obtained the riders returned via Quorn with riders peeling off for home at convenient points. Just three arrived back in Loughborough at about noon.
Intermediate ride to Holland’s Nurseries on 27th October 2021
Report by David
On yet another warm day for late October, and no rain forecast, the prospects for rides were encouraging. There was a brisk wind, felt more at higher altitudes and coming from the south, and there was cloud. This ride had Marcus, Brian, Alan, Robert, Betty, Wendy, Lee and was led by David. In typically manner, the pack set off slowly towards Quorn taking care through the various junctions along the by-pass.
We continued along Farley Way to the road bridge over the A6 to Barrow upon Soar, then tuned right at the dinosaur roundabout and left on Melton Road. This followed through to Paudy Lane. We had a few brief stops to ensure we had everyone at various stages, including one stop on the turning into Big Lane. This lane led, by crossing the A46, to Thrussington.
At Thrussington, Brian needed to turn back. Marcus kindly accompanied him and we were relieved to hear he’d got home by the time we reached Holland’s. Taking the left turn past the green, we proceeded to Hoby. On entering the village, we took a sharp right turn downhill towards Brooksby. After crossing the River Wreake, we took a small left turn over cattle grids to Rotherby. In Rotherby, there was a concealed left onto Gaddesby Lane, which crosses the A607 and fields until the outskirts of Gaddesby. Then there is a downhill ride under trees to the junction with Nether End. On turning left, there is a wall, neatly constructed of bricks with no mortar. We carried on to the quaint village of Ashby Folville, and then on to Twyford. Turning into the wind and climbing the hill, we were glad of a break for coffee.
Holland’s nurseries café has recently opened in a spacious room and is serving fine coffee and delicious cake, so I am told. It certainly helped perk Robert up after some challenging miles.
After our break, we continued a little uphill until the junction with the South Croxton Road. A short way along, we turned left up Barsby Road and headed for Ridgemere Lane. This was a good spot for a photo looking back across fields to Gaddesby.
At the end of Ridgemere Lane, we turned right to pass through the edge of Queniborough, then made our way to the A607. This was rather busy, and next time I will go back via East Goscote.
After passing under the A46, we continued to Syston Road, and hence to Cossington. Our route home then went, with pace set by Alan, via Sileby, across to Mountsorrel and up the old A6.
The ride was 35 miles with an elevation gain of 1667 feet, and we averaged 11 mph.
Long Ride
Report by Philip.
Great to meet up and hear encouraging news from Derek this morning about the tyre key and put a face to a new name on the whats app group. Five formed up behind Howard on today's pre advertised long ride. Philip, David, One of the Robs, not newhart, Patrick the younger and marshalling all this talent, Terry at the back.
Leaving Holt drive, it was yet another imaginative tour of the university campus eventually emerging on the A512 , before crossing to the North side and into the prevailing wind up to the motorway roundabout. Delighted to see massive progress has been made on the incinerator to the west of J23, it won't be long before Loughborough residents will benefit from its dioxins. Across the roundabout and left at the first lights. We then turned right into a track (Iveshead Lane), which I had never ridden on before, and which ends somewhere near the Jolly Farmers (Iveshead Road). Left and onwards to Coalville.
The motto for the morning was very much climb every mountain, and into the wind if you can. Mercifully, no singing nuns as we passed the Abbey. Crossing Coalville we passed Newbridge high-school, where judging by the noise, the children were merrily disembowelling one of their number.
To Heather then and another diversion which avoided the dip and consequent climb. We proceeded on to Measham and then Donisthorpe and passed the Asons Arms, missing the first M in its dilapidated state. Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion, that prevented the full appreciation that we had just missed the Halfway House, Loughborough CAMRA 's furthest outpost.
Arriving at Moira, we paused for a photograph at the entrance and then proceeded to the cafe.
Bacon sandwiches were eschewed for carrot cake and coffee . Your correspondent was astonished to learn of the existence of not 1 but two hospitals in Hinckley , clearly an extravagance, and the difficulty of travel using sat nav between them!
We returned on a more northerly route via Packington ish , Farm Town and on to School Lane, prewarned for it's excruciating last few yards, no problems for us with the wind very firmly behind us. No more than a short distance on the Hathern Ashby Road before Howard directed us on to a circuitous long cut to avoid the traffic that at times had been impatient.
In Belton, we separated and the larger group returned via Diseworth and Long Whatton, where a further division occurred, At this point dear reader, I fled and slunk home shattered. Patrick and Howard returning via Zouch splitting yet again just before Sutton Bonnington for home and Fox Hill then home. Thanks Howard and the rest of today's mighty long riders.
Most of us covered about 40 - 45 miles with approx 850 - 900 metres (lots of feet) of ascent.
Intermediate ride 2:
Report by Rob.
A large group of nine riders left for Melbourne after a quick discussion between Rob and Bryan about who was going to lead the ride. The elite squad included Clyde, Paul, Margaret, Rob(S), Bryan, Mick, Myles, Dom and John.
We cut across the campus and beat into a headwind to Shepshed and then Belton, Breedon, Wilson and into Melbourne. The long downhill from just after Breedon was welcome after the upwind sections. We stopped at Melbourne Hall Cafe for much needed refreshments and chat.
We popped off the Cloud Trail jut by Cloud Hill Quarry and cut back down into Breedon and back through Tongue up to the A42 crossing. from there we headed to Diseworth and Long Whatton before heading back to Loughborough via the A6. A tailwind most of the way back made things much easier! thank you, Bryan, for a great route.
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