Wednesday 21st September 2022

An early autumn day which follwoed the forecast with sunny intervals and showers developing later saw a good turnout and 3 groups leaving Holt Drive.

Short Ride to Colliery Café,

Report by David

The weather was warm, still and dry for the time of year, and the autumn drop of leaves had not started yet.

There were 9 riders, led by David, even though the destination made some form of hill inevitable. The other riders were Keith, Phil, Eric, Marcus, Sue, Margaret, Pat and Andrew.

When plotted out on a map, this ride looks a bit like a horse’s head. Yet the ride did not proceed at a gallop, and the measured pace helped us conquer any hills that we might have encountered.

It is always best when these rides pass without incident, except for the gentle baaing of sheep and the wit of friends at the coffee table.

The route we took went through the University, along the A512 to Shepshed, right onto Leicester Road, then left along Cambridge/Oxford/Anson Streets/Roads to Tickow Lane. Here we went left to re-join the A512, then right down the dip, sharp left and up to Swannymote Road. This is a long straight Road that took us over a peak, before descending past the Man Within Compass pub and immediately left down Cademan Street. There is a small track that starts off to the right next to a garage and leads past Hermitage fishing lake, if you take the left fork under the trees. After the lakes, there is a choice to go, left or right. We took the right track to join Thornborough Road, then followed that road into the centre of Coalville. After negotiating the Memorial Square, we found our way to Snibston Colliery.

I thought we’d be on our own in the café, but there was another table of customers for one of the tours. We had the usual convivial chat. I didn’t hear much political discussion, but it was appropriate to raise a coffee to the new health secretary.

The Colliery had a tour running and a splendid gentleman in Victorian costume was explaining to the participants about coal mining. He had a top hat like the one worn by Jacob Rees-Mogg on Monday, although he wore it with more aplomb. He invited us to participate in a future tour.

Returning home, we went east along London Road through Coalville. On the way through, some of the cyclists were confronted by an angry motorist. A photo on our WhatsApp shows the car straddled across the yellow box junction after emerging from a side turning and the person is recognisable. Thankfully there was no collision.

Later we turned left into Broom Leys Road. Roadworkers encouraged us through a temporary traffic light which was stuck on red in both directions. This road becomes Meadow Lane and provides an increasing incline until the staggered crossroads by Castle Rock school. We staggered over the brow of the hill on Abbey Road, then went right through Oaks in Charnwood. At the end of this road, we went right along Charley Road. At the B591 Keith and Phil left for a more direct route home, soon after the photos. The rest of us continued to Beacon Road. Eric went right on the Beacon Road crossroads. Beacon Road took those remaining close to the Beacon, then down the long downhill to wherever home is.

Eric taking the lead.

All riders except David continued on the Beacon Road, whereas David bumped along the track through Mucklin Wood. There was lots of muck on the track, some of which was unavoidable; so, a bit of riding through grass and dusty tracks was need to avoid a smelly garage when home. But don’t let that put future riders off using this short route back to Loughborough.

Pat leading Margaret, Marcus and Andrew.

Our average speed 10 mph, the distance 21.1 miles and the altitude gain 1473 feet. Most would have been back before 12:45.

Andrew leading Keith, Phil and Sue.

Short Ride to Syston

Report by John

John was joined by Rosalind, Dom, Clyde, Rob, Anne, Terry & Graham for a ride to Syston. This destination was chosen as it is the flattest route on offer and was the first ride Terry had been out on for some months, after suffering two slipped discs and glandular fever

The group took the direct route south to Mountsorrel before crossing the Soar to Sileby and onward to Cossington, where they joined the cycle path leading to Watermead Park. It is now some years since the tarmac was laid and tree roots have been doing their worst, making the ride very lumpy in places.

Riding alongside the Grand Union Canal.

The riders turned east at the Meadow Lane Bridge for Syston but found their was blocked for a couple of minutes by a large refuse truck reversing to turn.

Rosalind, Dom, Clyde, Rob, Anne, Terry & Graham on Meadow Lane

Unfortunately the Brook Cafe now closes on Wednesdays so the riders cut through Central Park, locking up against the railings before proceeding to the New World Cafe for refreshments. The cakes etc. were good value but sitting outside alongside a busy road was not as pleasant as at the old venue.

After coffee Graham opted for a longer ride back to Loughborough while the rest returned whence they came arriving back in Loughborough at noon. 

Long Ride

Report by Philip

Great to see so many in Holt drive this a.m. A group of 8 elected to join Howard for his ride out east to Burrough on the Hill. Leaving Loughborough by a circuitous route, we passed through the notorious Shelthorpe south gyratory system to arrive close to the Great Central bridge on Terry Yardley Way. Then it was Quorn, Mountsorrel, Sileby and East Goscote. Crossing the A606, we rode past the Neville Arms at Ashby Folville before the big climb up to the newish Paratroop memorial at the disability centre. From there it was only a 100 yards or so to the cafe shop at Burrough Court, which for many was their first experience at this cafe. Backtracking, Mick had told us at the memorial that the British bicycle had caused as many injuries to American troops as anything, except I suspect enemy action.

 

Brian, David, Howard, Patrick, Phil, Paul, Mike and Jeff at Borough Hill.

 Sitting down for coffee, reminiscences continued. Having rearranged the tables for all, the usual suspect related an exciting incident involving a shotgun and the now closed Hunters moon pub. That's nothing I was told. In another now closed pub, the Blackbird, an incident occurred , involving a frozen chicken that I blanche to think could ever pass the censors blue pencil. 

 After a good elevenses, including a greater range of  savoury items than I have ever seen consumed, we continued on. I have to confess here to being a little under the weather due to over consumption the night before, and the repeated climbs and descents tested my resilience. I think the climbing mentioned on WhatsApp was backloaded.  Crossing the A46 near the Leicester City training ground, was challenging but all managed it safely. From here it was Walton on the Wolds and back to Loughborough. Cyclists peeled off as their optimum departure point was reached. A great ride Howard. Thank you.