Wednesday 3rd November 2021

Long Ride

Report, by Alan.

Another golden rule broken. On signing the oath of allegiance when joining the Wednesday Cycling Group, rule number 1 was, never ever to cycle in the rain. That rule was sadly broken today and John should be subject to firm disciplinary action for sending the groups off in a light drizzle. We are all too old to get wet whilst outdoors.

Onto the long ride ... My route was to loop around Scraptoft a distance of 41 miles. I could see from some of the faces that that idea didn’t exactly resonate, in fact I’m sure I saw Phil actually shudder. Maybe it’s the unappealing name? It was left to my loyal companions, Trish, Vic and Marcus, (collectively known variously as “The Monday Crew”, “The Monday Splitters” or more commonly as “those F***ing Splitters”), to set off with me.

We meandered through the new build housing estate to emerge at the Aldi roundabout. From there it was off to Cossington via Quorn, Mountsorrel,and Sileby. We skipped over the Syston Road/ Platts Lane junction and followed the canal. At this point the rain was the heaviest for a short period. Emerging at the Hope and Anchor pub we ignored the temptation of the all day breakfast and pressed on to Barkby, Beeby and bypassed Keyham. Up to now the ride had been as flat as a pancake but some slight slopes were round the corner coming out of Scraptoft and on the way to Hilltop Farm at Barkby Thorpe.

Vic and Trish settled into comfy sofas in the barn. I know some of the readers are slightly obsessed with descriptions of the food and drink on offer so for the record Trish had her usual teacake, Vic had a sausage and stuffing roll and Marcus had a sausage and fresh roadkill roll.

Photo taken, off we went for the final 18 miles. This took us back through Barkby, up through Ridgemere Lane (Mick’s favourite lane “in the whole wide world”) and on to South Croxton. Finally it was Barsby, Gaddesby (an accident hotspot), East Goscote and back to Cossington where we bade farewell to Vic. Trish was dropped off in Quorn and Marcus and I went our separate ways on Epinal Way. Personally my complete voyage was 71.99 km, arriving back at 1.45pm slightly damp.

Intermediate Ride

report, by David.

On a slightly chilly November morning, with a hint of rain in the air, it was a popular morning for the Wednesday cyclists. Howard had promised a ride out to the edge of Nottingham, mainly flat and 90% on roads. This was also a popular choice with 10 additional riders – Dave, Betty, Siva, Rob, Patrick, Paul, Philip, Keith, Myles and David.

Howard asked for us to divide, so we had an ‘A’ team that set off first, followed after a short interlude by the ‘B’ team. While cycling through Loughborough, the ‘B’ team took a wrong turn. A passer-by said that the ‘A’ team went that-a-way, so the ‘B’ team regrouped, headed off and luckily encountered the ‘A’ team as we converged on Broad Street.

For most of the ride, with various promotions and relegations, we became one group again.

We proceeded along Meadow Lane, up Fox Hill and across from Normanton on Soar to Sutton Bonington. Prophetically, we turned off along Hungary Lane, and were followed by more cars than we had encountered while crossing the A6006. We continued to West Leake then up Dark Lane, across the Gotham Road and under the A453. The group climbed Barton Lane, then stopped for a breather and photo when we were just at the top of the 12% hill on Barton Lane, as we were about to go down.

(Missing from the picture, David taking the picture, Phil and Patrick had gone on ahead.) It was here that Howard broke the news that the café stop was not just around the corner. (Picture taken before the news about the cafe stop.)

The long climb up towards Clifton was indeed flat, and appeared level if one leant backwards on the saddle; but for altitude, I think it reminded Rob of his times in Nepal. We then descended towards the A52 and crossed the River Trent beside it. Our next turning, along Thane Road, went past Boots to Canal Side. I used the cycle lane, and did not get a puncture from any hedge clippings, so there! After some 18 miles, the Canalside Heritage Museum hoved into view; but we were not going to stop at this riverside café, no. As we skirted Beeston Marina, a young man came out of a house and implored us to stop for refreshments; but we carried on, lifting our bikes over the fence in some cases.

We crossed Beeston Pond (on dry land) then took our first crossing of the railway. It was fitting that, during the week of the Cop26 climate change conference, we should pass through the village of Attenborough. But, the first sight of this village was of a building site with a row of new houses due to look out over the nature reserve. We did get to ride through the nature reserve, and could have seen some Common Terns, if the path had been straighter. We got there by crossing the railway again at Attenborough station, then turning past St Mary’s Church, where a man clearing leaves had a long break from his task as the crocodile of cyclists passed.

Taking yet another strand of land through the lakes, we turned off just before the railway, and continued on a wide track called the Greenway Trail. This led to Erewash Field and another crossing of the railway into Long Eaton. I, for one, was reminded that it had been a long time since I had eaten. After the gentle bend through industrial sites, we reached the canal and rode alongside it until just before it joined the River Trent. We had arrived at the Lock House café at Trent Lock – after 22 miles.

The service at the Lock House café was excellent, and the ladies were not troubled by having 11 customers in a building big enough for 6. For anyone that wanted it, pasties, sausages, mash and gravy were on the menu and, of course, cake. We were one chair short, so Philip found another chair from somewhere round the back, and the sun came out approvingly.

It was great that we still had everybody, after so many unmanned railway crossings. When we entered Sawley marina however, some people out for a walk looked aghast at the size of the group, as we tried our best not to look like a chapter of Hell’s Angels. Part of the act was in the difficulty mounting the ramp to the bridge over the River Trent, when stuck in a high gear.

Coming back under the multitude of road interchanges, there is a surprising number of cycle tracks leading us unimpeded; but a good leader is needed to navigate them. One of the tracks had a gentle helter-skelter for cyclists. Unfortunately, the exit from the tracks had more broken glass than an old Russian fireplace.

This was a ride filled with interest and comradeship and, although we went separate ways at Kegworth, those continuing down the A6 to Loughborough will have covered 36 miles at an average of 11.3 mph, with an elevation gain of 1156 feet. Staying dry for the whole ride.

6 down the A6, 4 taking the back road to Long Whatton and Hathern and 1 to Sutton Bonington.

Short Ride

Report by John

After the other groups had left John C. remained with Rosalind, Margaret, Clyde, Derek and John as the drizzle began. The forecast had been for cloudy but dry.

It was decided to head for Nomanton on Soar via a circuitous route that provided options for different lengths of ride. As it had been raining it was agreed that it would be best to avoid Garendon Park na head out through the University to Shepshed. From there the riders headed north to Long Whatton, Kegworth and Kingston where they turned south through Sutton Bonnington to the tea stop at Normanton on Soar Village Shop.

Here they were joined by Ray and enjoyed some of the best value refreshments to be found in Nottinghamshire. The riders returned to Loughborough via Fox Hill and Stanton on Soar.

The ride was about 20 miles.