Loughborough Wednesday Cyclists

A lovely summer's morning produced an excellent turnour with four rides setting out from Holt Drive. Short Ride Report by John The short ride again proved to be popular this week with both Johns, Patrick, Isobel, Eric, Marcus, Derek & Pat opting to come along. Originally the Race Hub at Six Hills was suggested for the refreshment stop but it was pointed out that they now only opened sporadically. It was therefore decided to reverse the route and head for Millie's Tea Room at High Meadows Farm. This meant heading across Loughborough to exit via Meadow Lane. However Forest Road was closed necessitating the riders taking the jitty past the Leisure Centre. At the Storer House traffic lights John and Derek go through on the green while the remainder of the group awaited the green light. John and Derek headed to Market Square (you are allowed to ride through until 10am) and awaited the other riders. However several minutes with no riders putting in an appearance John phon

On Monday the forecast had been rain, but this Wednesday morning provided mostly sunshine and a refreshingly cool breeze after the record high temperatures of the previous day. Short Ride Report by John The short ride proved to be very popular this week with John, Isobel, Myles, Rosalind, Andrew, Paul, Margaret, Mike, Mick & Derek opting for this. Margaret leads Andrew, Myles, Mick and Paul past Beaumanor. The group set out past Mucklin Wood and then via Swithland, Rothley (where Mike managed to swallow a fly), Wanlip to arrive at the Methodist Church Hall in Birstall. Here they were greeted by Ray Clay and a lady from the Hall who was most apologetic about the fact that they had had to close as some of the volunteers had gone down with Covid. Forunately this did not pose a major problem as the planned route took the riders past Goscote Garden Centre. So returning to the road the group headed north through Watemead Park and then alongside the canal where Andrew suffered t

The forecast proved correct with a sunny summer's day of wall to wall sunshine with a good turnout of riders at Holt Drive. Short Ride Report by John Rosalind, Phil, Mick, Isobel, Dave (a new rider), Andrew, John and Derek opted for the short ride this week, although as the weather was so good it was decided to go for a slightly longer route than usual. Phil and Isobel leading Mick, Derek and Andrew along Kegworth Lane The group headed out through the University and across Garendon Park then taking the National Cycle route to Belton. From there they carried on north-west before turning east to Long Whatton. Rather than go direct to Normanton the riders headed north up Kegworth Lane to cross the Trent at Kegworth and then on east past West Leake before turning right up Travell's Hill. After negotiating a short section of the A6006 the group turned into Butt Lane (a new experience for some) and descended to Normanton of Soar for excellent refreshments at the village shop (

Short Ride Report by Philip On receiving John's message that he wouldn't be there on Wednesday, Philip planned a shorter ride, as he needed to be home before 12. A day or two later he messaged the group to find out where the others were planning to discover 'great minds think alike' and David had planned to visit the same cafe on a shortish route too. No problem! route 2 was planned to go to Daisy's tearooms at the garden centre between Rothley and Mountsorrel and could be adapted to be longer or shorter, depending on who joined him - especially if there were any first timers. Wednesday arrived and a smaller than recently  group assembled on the green. After explaining the 3 routes, 2 rides each of 7, departed, leaving us to wait for any late arrivals or newcomers; there were none! Our route went along Epinal Way and down towards Quorn, turning right past Quorn GCR station, through Swithland to the junction and right to Rothley GCR station. There w