Wednesday 26th January 2022

A morning with sunshine and no frost saw a very good turnout of cyclists.

Short Ride

Report by John

As no rides had gone through Bradgate Park since mid November John, Phil, David, Rosalind, Margaret, Patrick, Eric, Myles, Mick and John decided to head for Jade Cafe in Newtown Linford. The usual route was taken out past Mucklin Wood to Woodhouse and then on via Swithland to the northern entrance to the Park, where the range conveniently opened the gate as the riders approached. It was a beautiful day to be in the park which was shared with several walking groups through whom a way was successfully negotiated.

After the usual excellent repast outside the Jade Cafe the riders returned via the Reservoir dam , Costock, Rothley Station, Swithland and Quorn, arriving back in Loughborough a bit before 12.30pm.

Intermediate Ride Report

Report by Keith

From a good turnout at Holt Drive nine of us set off for Melbourne – Betty, Trish, Bryan, Vic, Ian, Rob (Stephens), Rob (Smith), Leigh with Keith leading. Wiggling through the University and estates we joined the A6 cycle path towards Hathern. On an increasingly beautiful sunny morning we passed through L Whatton and Diseworth, then to Tonge. Only Vic and Keith seemed keen to make the most of gravity down into Tonge, but took appropriate care (!) at the left turn. We then manhandled our bikes down the steep steps onto the Cloud Trail, turning right for Melbourne. Following Bryan and Keith’s advice we stopped at Shazza’s Baps, where several of her baps were consumed to everyone’s satisfaction. Another café on the list, very reasonably priced, but cash only.

The return leg was via Wilson, forking right alongside the golf course to Breedon, then on to Worthington. Leigh was complaining that the climb into Worthington was only 11%, so we arranged another one on the way out! Then via Route 6 through Osgathorpe to Belton, with a gentle following breeze in full sun. Ian and Rob Stephens left us here for their homes as we headed through to Shepshed. Vic peeled off here and the rest of us followed the Garendon trail back to Loughborough outskirts.

My Strava said 30 miles and 1300 ft.

Long Ride Report (to James' Coffee shop Breaston)

Report by Howard

5 of us set out from the square on Holt Drive. Paul, Mick, Brian, Marcus and me (Howard). We followed a pretty standard route to Sawley; Meadow lane, Fox hill, Normanton on Soar, Sutton Bonington,  Kingston on Soar, Ratcliffe on Soar, and Warren Lane. At Sawley it was direct to Breaston along Sawley Road and then Risley Lane to James' Coffee Shop. Obviously Mick had been here before, however for the rest of us this was a new coffee stop. An interesting sign caught our attention offering the availability of water for cyclists and dogs.

1. 

Coming back along Risley Lane we turned off round the back of the Navigation Pub and followed the Derby and Sandiacre Canal course on a fairly new tarmac path to  Hopewell Road, a little further on, restoration of the waterway is under construction. We though turned off and followed Hopewell Road to Draycott; then Church Wilne and back to Sawley. At Sawley we went under the M1 then turned off left along Netherfield Lane to the A50 which we ducked under on the path alongside the rail line.  From hereon it became interesting as instead of taking the usual route with its twists and turns back under the A50 and over the M1, we took to Lockington and headed for the old road that used to come out opposite the Hilton Hotel on the A50 slip road. We found the road and as it is now blocked by a new rail line it appears to come to  a dead end.  A newly engineered cycleway has however been put in place which takes you up a gradual incline to past all the new 'logistic' warehouses, Amazon et al, now put in place for this distribution hub. We end up at the far end of the new Kegworth bypass. Here my original intention was to take the back road to Long Whatton with it however being closed (and you definitely would not be able to get through, Mick had tried it a week or so ago, and apparently there is a fence that goes from hedge to hedge so you can't get through), we settled for the cycle path alongside the A6 back to Loughborough. I'm glad we found the new path at Lockington also there appears to be another path that goes over to Castle Donington, both open up new possibilities for different routes worth exploring further. 

We covered about 56 Km, or 35 miles climbing or ascent was, apart from Fox Hill, fairly non-existent as we kept in the main to the river flood plains.