Wednesday 1st June 2022

A sunny morning with a light wind but building cloud saw another excellent turnout at Holt Drive.

Short Ride

Report by John

The short ride proved to be very popular this week with Eric, Derek, Clyde, Rosalind, Rob P, Myles, John N, Dom, John C and Mick opting for this. We were all particularly delighted to have Rob joining us again after his medical travails.

As the other 3 rides had opted for notherly routes it was decided to head south with the Garden Centre at Cossington as the preferred coffee stop but with Dobbies at Rothley in reserve if the threatened rain materialised.

Setting off through town the riders departed Loughborough down Meadow Lane before turning right for Cotes and Walton on the Wolds. From there it was a climb up to the Salt Way. Here a decision has to be made as to whether to take the flatter route to the left towards Six Hills or carry straight on and over the hills to the Wreake Valley. The consensus was for the former so the group took the circuitious route via Seagrave to Sileby.

Riders climbing up towards the Salt Way from Walton on the Wolds

The sky had now clouded over and the occasional rain drop could be felt so it was decided to head for Dobbies. Coming out of Cossington the group found itself crossing the path of a group from Leicester Spokes led by Hamish (who is a fellow member of Leicester Secular Society with John C.)

The ride took the "back way" into Dobbies, which was quite busy due to half term, and its excellent (if not exactly cheap) fare was enjoyed before the riders returned along the old A6 arriving in Loughborough just before 12.30pm.

Eric, Derek, Clyde's head, Rosalind, Rob P, Myles, John N's head, Dom and Mick at Cotes

Long Ride

Report by Vic

Another largish group of eager cyclists had gathered at Holt Drive. The weather forecast looked promising if we avoided the odd rogue shower. I had offered my services as a leader with two possible routes, one to Hill Top or the other to Buttercups. John C announced the menu to the throng and I managed to attract five willing volunteers. We decided that Hill Top would be preferable, so we set off.

I led the group via some back alleys, tracks and bridleways to emerge onto the Nottingham Road clear of Loughborough. I wanted to see what the Six Hills Road from Burton was like for a group so we proceeded up to the Ragdale turn where we turned towards Ragdale and onto Hoby.

At Hoby we turned towards Asfordby where we crossed the bypass and proceeded towards Wartnby where we turned left just before it into Ab Kettleby we turned down Chapel Lane dropping as we went until we turned left again towards our destination.

Andy, Tricia, Rob & Brian

Hill Top was not as busy as we had expected so we sat outside and our refreshments were soon delivered and devoured.

On leaving we headed towards Asfordby Hill then down through Asfordby turning towards Kirby Bellars. Here we took the first right turn to Gadesby we then headed back through Rearsby, Thrussington and Ratcliffe Two of the group proceeded home through Sileby whilst the rest of us headed down into Cossington where I left the other two to wend their weary way home.

I had covered 43 miles and it had stayed fine.

Thanks to those that chose to cycle with me I hope you enjoyed it.

Medium Ride

Report by Robert

Just 5 riders set out for Staunton Stables on Wednesday, David, Rob, Robert, Margaret & Mick (leading). We set out via the university, this part of the ride is normally quiet but we just avoided some crazy drivers at the roundabout close to the A512. From here we went to Shepshed and on to Belton.  From Belton down through Worthington and on to the Staunton Harold estate. Before reaching the coffee stop Mick informed us that the church had never been consecrated. There was a good variety of cakes available at the stables cafe. 

Rob, Margaret, Mike & Bryan at Staunton Stables

The return route was via the edge of the Calke estate, through Breedon and Tonge. After this Mick, Margaret, David & Rob went to Loughborough via Shepshed and I returned home via Diseworth and Long Whatton. 30 miles back by 1pm. Enjoyed by all.

Intermediate Ride

Report by David

Although this was the first day in June, the weather has recently not been warm.  We came prepared for rain; but there was none. The winds were light, probably because Howard chose a low altitude route.  The sun came out on occasions, the fields were full of sheep, No Mow May had allowed many wild flowers to flourish. So, it was in many ways ideal for a ride.
Howard led the ride, followed by Philip, Patrick and David.

We crossed Loughborough via cycle path to William Street, Burleigh Road, then Chestnut Street. After crossing Ashby Road, we were led up Bridge Street to Meadow Lane.

The traffic lights at the junction with Belton Road had been brought forward for roadworks, so this created a bit of a delay in both directions.  Although it was a generally quiet day, during the course of the ride we encountered 2 ambulances and a police car with lights flashing, going to separate incidents. Otherwise, the ride was largely uneventful and afforded opportunities to chat.   

We passed through Stanford on Soar, then up Leake Lane, crossing the A6006 to sail down into East Leake.  From here we took the Gotham Road at a reasonable pace; but we were overtaken by a young lad dressed for winter on a heavy E_bike.

After Rushcliffe Halt, the road takes a sharp right turn and we asserted our position to turn right into Bunny Lane.  Continuing past British Gypsum, we crossed the A60 into Fairham Brook Lane.  The lane has recently undergone road repairs of a remedial nature, so we did not have to remind each other to avoid potholes on this lane.  I am afraid that one side of the lane has a relentless drift that will end up, in the course of time, in Fairham Brook; so, let’s use this route while we can.

At the end of the lane, we turned left then right into another Bunny Lane leading up to Keyworth.  We passed though Keyworth to Selby Lane, then went left into Willow Brook.  At the end of Willow Brook one can go left to Nicker Hill or right to Stanton Lane.  We chose the latter.  On the corner, we carried on left into Browns Lane.  There are some large houses and bungalows here, including one with so much glass people from the road might see the occupants getting out of bed.  Mercifully, we did not, and maybe they were awaiting delivery of some special blinds presently in a ship docked in Shanghai.

Howard managed to locate Moores garden centre.  When we arrived, we were not sure of where to put the bikes, but were helpfully directed through the shop.  This reminded me of a scene in the film “True Lies” where Arnie Schwarzenegger rides through a hotel on horseback in pursuit of a villain on a motorbike; but at least we rode slowly.  We did not need to lock the bikes.

An indication of the wealth of the clientele is a) the types of cars in the car park b) Billionaires (not millionaires) shortbread was sold, and there was only one slice left.  We sat outside in a picnic enclosure watched by rows of stone effect animals, including monkeys.  During our chat, there was a brief mention of monkey pox and one of the monkeys had its hands over its ears.  The coffee was very good.

David, Patrick, Phil & Howard at Moores Garden Centre.

After resuming, we retraced our track alongside the A606, turning right into Browns Lane next to a petrol station advertising petrol at 124.9 a litre, but sadly with none to sell.

One gem of the ride was Thurlby Lane, with no other traffic and a downhill run across fields.  However, at the end, as we turned into Station Road, many vehicles appeared, including lorries all the way to Widmerpool.  

Things quietened as we headed for Willoughby on the Wolds, where we picked up the East Road to Wymeswold.  

We passed preparations for a Music festival at Turnpost Farm.   None of us was aware of this event, but perhaps we’ll hear it wherever we are in the Loughborough area.

Cycling down to Wymeswold, we kept pace with a Ferrari until the road cleared: none of us was up for the chase once the Ferrari was free to go.
After a short conflab in Church Street, Wymeswold, we continued through Hoton and down the hill to the turning for Normanton on Soar.  Although it is a long downhill stretch on the A60, somehow, one never builds up much speed on it.

When we reached the end of Stanford Lane, Patrick carried on home through Stanford on Soar, but the rest of us left him and returned to Loughborough.

The ride was 31 miles long, give or take a lap of the square in Holt Drive, and we climbed 1014 feet.  Our average speed was 12.2 mph, and most of us would have been home by 12:45.