Wednesday 2nd February 2022

Long Ride

Report by Alan

After an absence of 3 weeks due to a combination of an unhealthy pursuit of money, and a hip injury sustained from a bike crash, I re-emerged at Holt Drive offering a long ride of 42 miles.

I had re-branded my Scraptoft ride as a Barkby ride owing to the fact that last time no-one seemed to want to go to Scraptoft. Luckily, Trish, Marcus, Vic, Mick, Dave, and Brian fell for the ruse and we set off at 9.30am prompt with a promise to get back by 1.30pm.

The outward journey took us along the A6 through Quorn, Mountsorrel, Sileby and Cossington. It was then a sharp right turn at Platts Lane, past the canal and on to Barkby Thorpe. It is here that the coffee stop was situated, but as we had only cycled 11 miles at this stage a loop around Beeby, Keyham and Scraptoft was first called for. It was on the way to Beeby that I spied, at the side of the road, hundreds of discarded sachets. Were they mayonnaise sachets or condoms? I sought the advice of Vic and the conversation naturally progressed into the merits of Viagra and its alternatives. Suitably informed, I pressed on.

The break was at Roots at Hall Farm where the “parlour” was now open, which saved us alighting in a draughty barn. The service was a tad slow owing to the complications of the overall order. It was then that several members of the team got cold feet and queried the return time. Despite my assurances that we would get back by 1.30pm, in the time honoured tradition no-one believed me, and Dave, Trish, Brian and Marcus split the group and headed off on a more direct way home. It was left to Vic, Mick and myself to complete the planned route by passing through South Croxton, Gaddesby, Thrussington and back to Cossington where we bade farewell to Vic.

I want it placed on the record that Mick and I reached Holt Drive at 1.33pm and this was achieved even with a comfort break for Mick. Yea of little faith.

Intermediate Ride Report - Calke Abbey

Report by David

There was a good turnout for rides, and this one was led by David. We were headed for Calke Abbey. Previous rides there have provided adventures, and it is a strange place; but not everyone was put off by the choice of venue or the lengthening of the previously offered ride.

David was accompanied by Brian (without his electric bike), Paul, Margaret, Philip, Patrick, Rob and Robert. The weather was damp, but warmer than on previous rides this year, and there was a westerly wind challenging us occasionally on the way out.

We took off from Holt Drive and found Ashleigh Drive to follow a zigzag track up to University Road. Then, we descended to pass the Wolfson Building and continued apace across the Holywell Way roundabout to Oakwood Drive. After cutting across to Ashby Road, we regrouped by the traffic lights to cross the road and approach the M1 roundabout on the right-hand side. The smell of cooked bacon wafted through as we approached the M1.

Undeterred by this, a regular route through Shepshed was taken, via Anson Road, Tickow Lane and left down the hill into Hallamford Road, following the Sustrans route over the fields, pulling in briefly to let a phantom car pass. But no Rolls Royce Phantom appeared on Carr Lane. Instead, by the roadside, items of discarded furniture showed a sad reflection of modern times. We crossed the B5324 to enter Belton, then turned left after the church to cross the B5324 again for Gracedieu Lane. Some way along, we turned right up Church Lane to pass thorough Osgathorpe. After leaving Osgathorpe on Dawson’s Road, we crossed the B5324 again and carried on along Breedon Road to Top Brand. We sped along Top Brand, then left down Stocking Lane, past grey-dusted verges and across the A42 bridge. Here we joined the Cloud Trail and continued all the way to the outskirts of Melbourne, greeting numerous dogs and their handlers on the way.

We climbed up the slope to the road and took some refreshment, before setting off along Station Road into Melbourne, where an uphill section along Chapel Steet in town took us to Derby Road, which swept round to the right to become High Street. This led out of town into Ashby Road, where there was a right turn onto Robinson’s Hill, and another uphill stretch. The hill led into The Common, at the end of which we had covered the entire altitude range of the first half of the ride from the low point at the end of our stint on the Cloud Trail. Just before Ticknall, we stopped briefly at the junction with the A514 to plan out assault on Calke Abbey. Brian took over to lead us to the Tramway Trail which involved a short trek across some muddy terrain. Thereafter, the track was more suited to road bikes and led to the Calke Explore site. A short road led back onto the main road in to the abbey.

The restaurant was well-staffed and reasonably full, and the sponge cake and coffee were excellent. Since we were quite a large group sitting outdoors, some furniture rearrangement was required. This was undertaken by a fellow in heavy disguise shown in a photograph appended to this report.

The return ride was scoped for Peggs Green and Whitwick, starting with Calke Village and the steep dip past the southern tip of Staunton Harold Reservoir. After climbing the hill, Brian, Patrick and Robert bade farewell to take a more direct route for north of Loughborough, at the junction with the B587

The rest of us took that road to the junction with Nottingham Road, next to the A42. The B587 here was a high road with views for miles across Derbyshire. From Nottingham Road, we turned under the A42 and followed Melbourne Road to the B5342. We then took Gelsmoor Road to Peggs Green, which we entered uphill on Zion Hill and New Road. Directly across the Ashby Road, Church Hill takes a step dive to Talbot Lane, near a disused colliery. At the foot of the hill, we turned left up Whitwick Moor, then waited for a refuse lorry to unblock Gracedieu Road. We were then able to ride up the tree-shaded track that included Turolough Road and Warren Lane. There were signs indicating that the road was closed, and a noise like a chain saw. But the “chain saw” was fitted with two small wheels, footrests and handlebars, and the road signs evidently left overs. At the top of Warren Lane, we reached the highest point of the ride, and lunchtime was overdue. So, we hurtled down Swannymote Road, and followed Ashby Road back into Loughborough. We were bamboozled by the traffic lights at Old Ashby Road, and said goodbye to Margaret as we continued past the Harvester. The Loughborough stretch included New Ashby Road and the grand old gate into the University.

We covered 33.25 miles at an average speed of 10.4 mph. This is not bad considering it involved climbing over 2000 feet.

Short Ride Report

Report by Terry

Eight of us left Holt Drive, Anne, Rosalind, Dom, Mick, John, Myles, Ian and myself Terry. We left along Outwoods Drive and Crosshill Lane and on towards the Aldi island. From where we went directly to the Red Lion traffic lights in Rothley via the old A6.

Turning left at the traffic lights towards Cossington via Platts Lane where no other than John C was waiting to photograph the motley bunch, then we were nine. In Sileby we turned right into King Street, were a courteous drive signalled us all across and on up Seagrave Road hill towards Seagrave. At the top of the hill we turned left onto Big Lane to Pawdy Crossroads. We turned left on Pawdy Lane towards Millies our coffee stop. But why is it the wind is always against me going down Pawdy Lane so I cannot ever freewheel?

Refreshments were taken in the “new” covered area these took a little longer then necessary as the leader lost track of time chattering on!

We turned left out of Millies down Pawdy lane to the first traffic island where we turned right and wiggled along the edge of the housing estate to Cotes Road and onto Cotes, avoiding riding along the A60, at this point we went straight across the A60 onto Stanford Lane. We rentered Loughborough across the Meadows where we started to split up to our various residences.

A total of just over 20 miles if one returned to Holt Drive!