Wednesday 8th February 2023

Short Ride

Report by John

The short ride hadn't been through Bradgate Park since November, so this cold and frosty morning seemed a good opportunity to take advantage of the fact that most children are in school.

John, Rob, Myles, Robert, Eric, Derek and Andrew headed south past Mucklin Wood and then through Woodhouse and Swithland, enjoying the sunshine while the frost cleared and the temperature crept up.

An executive decision by Eric resulted in the riders enjoying their refreshments in the upstairs room of the Jade Cafe, which provided its normal swift service and excellent cakes.

Rob, Myles, Robert, Eric, Derek and Andrew at the north end of Bradgate Park.

The group returned through the park, successfully avoiding several dog leads extending over the full width of the track. A left turn saw them climbing to Roecliffe Manor before descending back to Loughbrough via Woodhouse and Quorn.

Intermediate ride

Report by David

There was understandable unease about riding this day, following a hard frost during the night; but with the sun out and our 10 am start we thought we could proceed with care. So, we avoided excessive speed round bends and tracks sheltered from the sun.

David led a ride to the Milestone kitchen in Old Dalby, with Marcus, Vic, Howard, Trisha and Mick. We crossed the near side of Loughborough to Allendale Road via John Boden Way. The path between Shelthorpe and newer houses was marked by an abandoned shopping trolley, which may not have fitted between the plates of a width restriction at the end of the path.

As we continued along Terry Yardley Way, Vic set the pace, and found safe surfaces to ride on. The old A6 through Quorn and Mountsorrel was free of ice as we rode towards the sun. Eschewing the course of Icarus, we turned left onto Sileby Road. Our next gathering point was opposite the ‘orse and Trumpet. Next, we took King Street towards Seagrave, up the steady climb and past Sunrise Eggs, then right at Big Lane. However, the main road through Seagrave had roadworks, so we went left onto Green Lane. There is a sharp right onto King Street that runs downhill quite a way. Turning sharp left at the bottom, we climbed Berrycott Lane. This narrow lane takes us across fields to Paudy Lane, where we turned right to join Six Hills Lane. This road was busy and, when we got to the A6006, there was a wait to get across to resume on Six Hills Lane, and take a left along Lawn Lane. After turning right onto Wood Hill, we were taken down one of the steepest hills in the county to Main Road, Station Road and Old Dalby Lane (really the continuation of one road). Soon after some seriously fenced off site lay the Milestone Kitchen.

We nearly lost Howard to the icy threshold as we locked all the bikes together, and entered the plywood reinforced door. Inside was spacious and not very busy. Large hot drinks were served, and we sat down to discuss films and cinemas.

Howard, Tricia, Mike, Vic & Marcus

After suitable refreshment, we gathered outside to resume our ride next to a heavily barb-wired canine training area.

We continued along Old Dalby Lane, where there is a cluster of new houses, then somewhat later the road bends left and enters Nether Broughton. Out of the village the road goes through a dip, then at the top of the hill there is Bottom Green. We stopped to observe the new roof on the Tap and Run pub, before proceeding along another Station Road.

Station Road took us past a permanent sign warning of icy conditions to the  crossing of the A46, then Back Lane. There were fields of sheep, but not yet any lambs.

At Willoughby on the Wolds, the ride took a right turn; but most of the riders didn’t. Mick and I followed Main Street into Widmerpool Lane and enjoyed the relatively traffic-free ride to Widmerpool. A gentle breeze arose when we’d turned into Wysall Road, and again the road was quiet enough for a chat. We continued to Costock Road to within sight of Mick’s brother’s house and crossed the A60. After entering East Leake, we turned up Castle Hill and followed Loughborough Road to the A6006. The rehabilitation centre had considerable construction work ongoing, many large trees had been cut down and some saplings had been planted on the borders.

We went left onto Leake Lane, stopping briefly for a leak on the way down. For future reference, this is not an ideal place as it was like a quagmire even after so little rain.

We passed through Stanford and came to Loughborough via Meadow Lane, and were through the centre of Loughborough well before 2 pm.

I recorded a distance of 32.9 miles with an average speed of 10.9 mph, and an altitude gain of 1381 feet.

Long Ride led by Bryan

Report by Graham

Despite the frosty start to the day, there were a good number of riders assembled at Holt Drive, and among the rides offered was a ride out to Gotham and beyond, led by Bryan.

So, before the group got too big, Bryan led off, followed by Brian J, 2 Rob S's, Jim, Keith, Andy, Paul (bravely in shorts!) and myself, and we headed north along the A6 to Hathern, then right through Zouch, right again to Normanton, left up Butt Lane and over to East Leake and then the promised Gotham. Through there we joined the cycle path adjacent to the A453 to Wilford, where we crossed the Trent and doubled back along the north bank of the Trent to our planned stop at Beeston Lock Café. This section brought back painful memories for Brian J, who had crashed here and broken his thumb a couple of years back, but today he made it through unscathed,

We wheeled our bikes through to the café garden where we could keep an eye on them, only to be berated by a gent asking why we hadn't used the cycle racks outside. We did offer to move them, but before we could explain the security concerns, said gent shuffled off in a huff. Or did he huffle off in a shuff?? 

Graham, Keith, Paul, Bryan, Brian, Andy, Rob, Jim & Rob.

Fed and watered, we followed the riverside path westwards to Trent Lock, then took the road to Sawley to avoid the muddiest part of the path, then left at the marina to Kegworth via Long Lane. I peeled off there to return home to Woodhouse via Long Whatton and Shepshed, while the Loughborough contingent took the A6 cycle path back to town.

I had ridden 50 miles, the Loughborough folk probably nearer 40, and thanks to Bryan for a great ride on a beautiful, cloudless day.