Wednesday 22nd December 2021

A cold and frosty morning produced a surprisingly high turnout with four groups departing from Holt Drive.

Medium Ride

Report by Howard

I arrived at Holts Drive with a ride in mind to Ferrers at Staunton Harold, purely selfish as I had a few more things I needed to buy for Xmas. John announced my destination and distance and the offer was taken up by Paul, Betty, Bryan, Rob, Vic and Tricia. Setting off we decided that it wouldn't be too muddy if we were to take the shorter route through Garendon Park, to Belton and from here to Osgathorpe via Grace Dieu Lane. Taking the fairly easy climb up Breeden Lane allowed us to drop down Bull Hill into Worthington. 

I had originally planned the route in the opposite direction but knew I would take some flak if we had to cycle up Bull Hill so I had reversed the route. (Though my Garmin wasn't to sure for some reason and was occasionally suggesting I make a U turn which I ignored, only for it to change its mind a few yards/metres further on). From Worthington it was Long Hedge lane to Nottingham road. Long Hedge lane is a much underused very pleasant lane, that today had two delivery vans on it trying to pass in opposite directions, whilst they were making up their minds as what to do, we waved and cycled past. Nottingham Road and a right turn onto the B587 brought us quickly to Staunton Harold estate entrance gate. The drive took us through the estate to the Ferrers centre where we stopped for refreshments at the Stables cafe.

 Whilst this was happening I took the opportunity to nip into the gift shop to buy a few outstanding items. Most went in the cafe out of the cold and Betty and I sat outside mainly chatting about the number of layers and thermals we were wearing or ought to be wearing. Bryan had decided to leave us at this point as he needed to get back quickly to fulfill a number of Xmas duties not yet done. 

Ride photo duly taken we set of for the return journey; starting with the steep hill out of the estate which got the blood circulating again. From here we headed towards Melbourne and Burney Lane into Breedon. Passing the new housing estate, that used to the Priory golf course brought to mind Beth's kitchen where we had stopped the last time it was open at a similar time of year. It's a pity this has now gone as Beth's cakes and pies had an excellent reputation and I had often put two or more in my panniers to take home. 

Next was Tonge then through the woods back to Belton. As a number of us were now really feeling the cold we returned via Garendon and cycle route 6 to keep the remaining distance to a minimum and quickly get back.

 
I think we all enjoyed the ride despite getting a bit chilly towards the end.
Distances was about 27 miles (44 km.) with 1414 (431 metres) feet of ascent.

Short Ride

Report by John

Once the other rides had left just John, Pat and John remained. As all wanted to get back home relatively early it was agreed that a short ride to Millie's would fit the bill.

The riders set out through Loughborough leaving the town along Meadow Lane before turning south through Cotes and Walton on the Wolds before climibing up to the Salt Way. Here it was a right turn to head down to Miillie's. As the room was only lightly occupied it was decided to take the risk of staying in the warm to get the circulation going again in hands and feet.

Once refreshments had been obtained and consumed it was time to head for home. Pat set off east for Six Hills and then home in Wymeswold while the two Johns headed west for Quorn. Passing through Barrow on Soar, Philip and Rosalind were waved to as they passed coming the opposite way.

At this point John realised that he had failed to take a photo, so this week the only photo is of John on arrival in Quorn.

Long Ride

Report by Alan

As I alluded to on my Whatsapp post, I have been on better rides than this.

With temperatures hovering around 1°C, Marcus, Mick, Rob (the 3rd) and a newbie named Felix set off with me for Barton in Fabis to take refreshments at the Dovecote Barn. We had hardly reached the outskirts of Loughborough when Marcus confided to me that Felix was “obviously a proper cyclist”. I don’t know how he reached that conclusion or whether he meant that as a personal slur. Cycling along with my wooly gloves and my Primark shorts and my black pyjama bottoms I obviously don’t belong in the category of being a proper cyclist.

Our outward journey took us via Barrow on Soar, turning left at The Three Crowns pub, down Coates Road and then a right turn at Walton Lane to reach Prestwold. It was here on Prestwold Lane that Felix did indeed confirm he was a proper cyclist by flying up those hills like a ferret up a drainpipe. After Prestwold we passed through Hoton, Wymeswold and then Wysall. So far so good. The weather wasn’t getting any warmer but with a pace of around 14 mph everything was warm apart from my freezing feet. We negotiated the steep drop at Bradmore Road and the coffee stop was about 4 miles away.

Turning right at the top of Bunny Lane into Gotham Road, I had hardly gone a kilometre when shouts went up behind me. I glanced back to see one of us had taken a heavy fall. Cycling back it was clear that Felix was in a bad way. His helmet was in pieces and he appeared to be unconscious. Thankfully we had Marcus with us, and with his experience and expertise, we were able to get Felix to the edge of the road and out of harm’s way. As Felix slowly came round, indicating where on his body he felt pain, the thing that struck me most in the next hour was the kindness and consideration of perfect strangers. A lorry driver gave us his blanket, a passing paramedic offered help and gave us a foil blanket, a car driver phoned for an ambulance and passed on the details of the patient to the call handler. Numerous other lorry and van drivers pulled up and offered assistance before the ambulance arrived. After a thorough check, they scooped Felix up and whisked him away to the Queen's Medical Centre. Marcus kindly called Sue to arrange getting Felix’s bike back to Loughborough.

The rest of the ride was a bit of an anticlimax, though not without incident. Having Marcus removed from the group, Mick, Rob (the 3rd) and I reached Dovecote Barn at 12.15, only to be told they had stopped serving at 12.00 so tough titty there. We headed on to Redhill Marina cafe near the Ratcliffe power station to find not only that it was shut too, but the owner then tried to pass the place on to us "as a going concern", as he was selling up due to a lack of trade through Covid. In between the two unsuccessful coffee stops, a motorist pulled out in front of Mick without looking at Gotham and a very large lorry forced Mick and I to jump on the pavement at Barton Lane to avoid falling under his wheels. Eventually we reached Kegworth and could at last have a hot drink at Oakland and Son Butchers! Don’t sneer ... a cup of tea only cost £1.10p

I don’t think it was my imagination but the temperature seemed to have dropped even further by this stage. Mick offered to lead us home by the cycle path parallel to the A6 having warned us there was glass somewhere on the route. Sure enough he came to a dead stop after a mile or so without any warning. Thankfully being the proper cyclist I am, I narrowly avoided going straight over his and my handlebars as I was only about a yard from his back wheel when he decided to hit his brakes hard.

Finally we reached Loughborough around 2.00pm. And so to next week ..... anyone fancy a ride with me?

Short ride to the Colliery café, Coalville

Report by David

It was a cold morning, about as cold as I would consider for cycling, but dry and still, at least in Holt Drive at 9:30.

Mick, Myles, Margaret and David set off, led by David. We negotiated Forest Road together to get to Fairmount Drive and practise our hill climbing on a relatively gentle hill.

Our foursome then crossed via Coniston Crescent to the southern part of the university near Burleigh Court, then crossed the roundabout on Holywell Way to pass new business accommodation on Oakwood Drive, before taking an unmade road to the A512.

We followed the path on right side of the A512 and reached the roundabout over the M1, and awaited a gap in the traffic. Carrying on along the A512, we turned right into Leicester Road, then left into Cambridge Street, Oxford Street and Anson Road. We had another rehearsal on hills as we came up Tickow Lane back towards the A512. After joining this road and turning right, we branched off left to Swannymote Road.

This is a long straight road, mostly uphill. There is possible respite from hill climbing half way up by turning onto Warren Lane; but we kept on up to Oaks Road. We went down past the Man in Compass pub and turned left on the hill into Cademan Street. Here we picked up the Bosworth Trail, which included a steep uphill section with wet leaves, resulting in some wheel spin. The remainder of the trail was quiet, and we passed a lady on a horse. This reminds me that our route can be made to look a bit like a horse in Strava art.

I am afraid we forgot to take photos of the riders, but none of us were in Christmas attire – just wrapped up a warmly as we could.

After taking a right turn, we emerged at Thornborough Road. It soon became apparent that it was a big shopping day in Coalville, and we proceeded along the footpath on foot to avoid getting into the traffic. A couple out walking managed to get into Coalville town before us, partly due to a short dead-end detour. In the centre of Coalville, we crossed to the Ashby Road, again held up by traffic, until we took a turning into the Snibston site. We arrived shortly before 11, and unsurprisingly there were not many others in the café. Yet it was a relief to warm up with some coffee and mince pies.

On emerging, it felt as though the temperature had dropped. We got back onto Ashby Road and soldiered on through Coalville, dodging a long queue of cars. We turned up Broom Leys Road, and carried on to Meadow Lane. The road became progressively steeper until we were on Abbey Road. At the top of the hill, we stopped for a breather.

It was then downhill and right to Oaks in Charnwood. We emerged onto Charley Road, where we encountered a few Charlies in vehicles who were evidently unaware of impending changes to the Highway Code. At the end of this road, Mick and Myles turned left onto the road back to Loughborough.

Margaret and David passed Bawdon Lodge Farm, turned right onto Beacon Road, then took the long downhill stretch, which is mostly downhill all the way to Quorn. This was a bit chilling on the toes.

We turned onto Loughborough Road and headed home. A certain amount of gridlock of cars at Shelthorpe made it easier for cyclists to squeeze through, being mindful that some cars are as likely to reverse as go forward in these situations.

Our ride was 22.6 miles. Although we only averaged 9.7 mph, we climbed 1485 feet and were home before 1 pm.