Wednesday 28th June 2023

An overcast but warm morning saw another excellent turnout with four rides departing from Holt Drive.

Short Ride

Report by John

The short ride proved popular again this week with Dennis, Paul, David, Duncan, Rosalind, Fiona, Sally (a new rider), John and Keith taking this option.

It was decided to head for the Methodist Church Hall in Birstall and after a brief delay while Paul pumped up a soft tyre, the riders headed south out of Loughborough past Mucklin Wood to Beaumanor Hall.

Rosalind leading Fiona, Duncan and David past Mucklin Wood

 From there they rode through Swithland to Rothley and then up to the A6/A46 junction. Taking the bridge over the A6 to Wanlip the group arrived at the Church Hall where luckily a table was available.

Dennis, Paul, David, Duncan, Rosalind, Fiona, Sally and Keith at the Methodist Church Hall Tea Room in Birstall.

After sampling the exceedingly good value fare (tea and cake £2) the riders returned via Watermead Park, Cossington, Sileby, Mountsorrel and Quorn. Arriving back in Loughborough c.12.30pm.

Long Ride

Report by Graham

This week we headed to the Pig and Pudding cafe at Cotgrave. I'd never been before, in fact I'd never heard of it, but stumbled across it whilst searching t'internet for somewhere totally different.

At an advertised 40 miles, I managed to attract only 4 takers: Vic, Mick, Dave, and Ged from Birstall, who is newish to LWC but he and I soon realised we knew each other from a previous traumatic Duke of Edinburgh experience. We 5 wended through town, out via Meadow Lane then via Rempstone to Wysall, where Pat and Roman were waiting, thanks to a rare piece of forward planning.

Now 7 strong, we rode on through Widmerpool then crossed the A46 via that annoying keyhole shaped track, enjoying the descent to Kinoulton until we realised we'd have to regain all that height before Cotgrave.

The cafe was right next to a Sainsbury's local, and is obviously a cyclists destination, with groups there before us and more arriving whilst we sat. Some us went for the pudding option, others for the pig, with Bacon, Sausage, and in one case Bacon and Sausage cobs being wolfed down. Roman and I made the mildest of nods towards our 5 a day: he having mushrooms with his sausage cob, and me having banana and chocolate cake.

Leaving Cotgrave we picked up the Grantham canal, which was a pleasant traffic free track bringing us out near Tollerton. As we regrouped, a ragged soul approached, forlornly pushing his flat tyred bike, until good Samaritan Vic reflated him. At that point I realised we hadn't taken a team photo, so took one there of bicycle repair man. Happily the gentleman was still pedalling as we caught and passed him further up the road.

Return was then via Plumtree, Bradmore, Wysall (again), Wymeswold (bye Roman and Pat), then we started peeling off at various points along the way. The Loughborough group were back around 2pm, having ridden around 40 miles. Not too much climbing but what there was was quite steep.