Wednesday 26th April 2023

Intermediate Ride to Shackerstone

Report by David

It was a still and hazy day with a slight chill, but thankfully no rain. There were lots of dandelions in flower across the county, having taken over from the daffodils.

Seven riders headed towards Quorn via the Shelthorpe parade and One Ash roundabout. They were Vic, Robert Stephens, Rob Smith, Bryan, Alan, Mick and David, led by David promising a ride of 34.4 miles. At the first Quorn traffic lights, we went right and made for Woodhouse. Turning left onto School Lane, we did the double bend where Strava warns to “beware stray pensioners”, then continued up Brand Hill, round the bend and right at the triangle. This took us up around S withland Wood in a surprisingly steep climb. Across Roecliffe Road onto Warren Hill, the climb got steeper and we passed some Severn Trent staff digging a hole and asking if we’d prefer to be doing that rather than cycling.

On the way up Warren Hill, Robert suffered from a glucose-insulin imbalance, but was still on his feet. Vic kindly offered to escort Rob to join Eric’s ride, and they successfully linked up to enjoy a cake or two, at least.

At the top of Warren Hill, there was then a long downhill stretch past the western side of Bradgate Park into Newtown Linford. We went right onto Markfield Lane, which is mostly a steady climb; at least it was for one young lady cyclist who sailed past us all brightly bidding us a “good morning”. At the top, we drew breath, then negotiated the pedestrian crossing over the A50, and followed paths round the Fieldhead roundabout to Leicester Road heading northwest. With still more climbing to Ashby Road Markfield, kind motorists let us snail past until we reached Hill Lane. As we came over the brow of this hill, what looked like a large lorry park came into view – it was the M1.

We crossed the motorway bridge and took a left turn onto Grassy Lane. This led us via Markfield Lane to the north end of Thornton. Turning right and left, we came down Bagworth Lane under a railway bridge and through some uneven road on a bend, then uphill past Cross Hills Baptist Church. Sensing déjà vu, we turned right and left, and were then on Barlestone Road Bagworth. At the first junction we turned right, and at the second we turned left. This took us to Nailstone.

As we approached Nailstone, Mick mentioned a route that goes past the church, instead of the link road round the village. It is a peculiar church and surrounded by lovely country cottages, so we were glad of the deviation.

We exited over a crossroads into Barton Lane, a narrow lane with large lorries. Once clear of these we passed through Barton on the Beans. Just after the man varnishing an improbably large shed (I think he’ll still be there next time we pass), there is a tight double bend into Congerstone Road. Shortly after a humpback bridge crossing the Battlefield Line, is another such bridge crossing the Ashby de la Zouch Canal. We picked up the bikes and went down the steps to the towpath and headed north across tufts of grass and tree roots. As the canal turned sharp left, we crossed the River Sense on an aqueduct. Shortly after this, under the Station Road bridge, we picked up the bikes, crossed the bridge, then took an unmade track of puddles leading to the station.

The Shackerstone station, that hosts the Victoria Rooms, was quite active with old gents in hi-vis jackets (so at least I felt at home) and others enjoying the company. It is a veritable emporium and Alan nearly fell off his chair. This was at least partly due to the chair back not being glued on properly – I hope the repair men do a better job on the trains!

Alan, Bryan, Mike, Rob and David at Shackerstone Station

The café does piping hot drinks and cake (£4.75) and big bacon cobs.

Our route home had to be shorter. We headed north to Heather then, at the Queens Head turned right along Pisca Lane. There was a long climb to Ibstock. We continued east until Leicester Road, where we turned and continued past the Sunnyside Garden Centre. A short cut along Kendal Road took us onto Midland Road. This took us down to Hugglescote, then up past the rather busy east side of Coalville. Following Forest Road, Broom Leys Road and Meadow Lane we climbed past Castle Rock and straight over the Whitwick Road to Abbey Road. Bryan said goodbye and disappeared over the brow of the hill, while four of us went via Oaks in Charnwood and Charley Road up to the Bawdon Lodge crossroads. We then came into Loughborough on the Nanpantan Road.

I recorded 34.5 miles at an average speed of 9.1 mph. This was not in the league of one lady rider we heard about; but we did ascend an impressive 2,444 feet. All would have been home by 1:45 pm.

Short Ride

Report by Keith

In JC’s absence, Keith offered to take the short ride and was joined by Myles, Andrew, Rosalind and two recent recruits Fiona and Duncan.

The target café was Rothley station via a clockwise loop, through town including the recently tarmacked canal towpath parallel to Belton Road which has also had the “get off and wiggle through” contraption removed. Then via Cotes to Barrow, where I took the wrong turning but managed to bluff my way through some new back streets without the rest realising – although I did fess up later.

Then Slash Lane, Mountsorrel, just after which Duncan “got his chain in a bow”, and despite Rosalind’s strident Yorkshire tones the front three rode off discussing top and bottom of the Premier League.

Reunited we passed along Leicestershire’s most expensive street (where one massive house is having a massive extension) to discover that Ellis Tea Rooms was shut due to staff shortage (can’t they get tall staff?). Should we return to a couple of new cafes spotted at the bottom of the Green in Mountsorrel, or take the way home option of the Granite café and hang the expense? The Granite won, where hot chocolate and cheese scone which actually had cheese in it, where consumed along with the normal other beverages and amiable discussion, prompted by our consummate MC Andrew.

Keith, Duncan, Andrew, Myles, Rosalind and Fiona at Granites Cafe

A direct route was taken back through Quorn, giving around 19 miles covered.