Wednesday 15th November 2023

Short Ride

Report by Eric

In an effort to try and be as efficient as John Catt, in his absence, Derek organised 2 short ride leaders. One was so short that many decided to follow him thinking this was an indication of ride length. So whilst David set off on a promised 20 miler, those who followed the diminutive Eric would have been disappointed that they would have to do at least 25. However it was promised, to avoid the wind and the hills and so they set off North in search of their Roots.

Derek was so impressed with ride leaders Ged chosen, he chose to not go on any of the rides himself!

It was a good mix of old stagers and Newbies who followed Eric. Nim who had joined LWC last time out, was surprisingly undeterred, and came out for a second time. They were also joined by first timer Stuart. Fiona, Andy, Dennis, John N, followed also and a very old stager Marcus acted as Whipper In. Coming through Loughborough we were joined by the oldest of old stagers .. Howard, the Wizard himself!!!

Out to Cotes we went and then on to Barrow, Sileby and Cossington. A regroup at The Royal Oak we resisted the temptation to go in. Instead we turned right onto Platts lane and at the top crossed Syston road and onto the path that leads to canal. Along the canal we went to the boat yard and turned left to Syston. We came through Syston and out through Barkby and to our destination Roots. We sat in the barn out of the wind but in the sun and troughed through and assortment of coffee, cobs and cakes.

Once satiated, off we went again, running down through Barkby and Syston past Parker’s and then the Hope and Anchor. Then we came on the scenic route beside the A46, crossed under it at Wanlip and then up the slip road to Filling gate and crossed over the A6. We then went past the new estate building at Broadnook on the new cycle lane and down to Rothley. At Rothley Nim departed. At Mountsorrel Eric abandoned his charges and the rest carried on back to Loughborough and by the end most will have done a fraction over the promised 25 miles.

Short Ride to Thrussington

Report by David

There were two 20-mile rides going this morning; so this one set off quickly while we had 4 riders, to avoid overcrowding our coffee venue. However, other riders noticed, so we had 6 riders by the time we got to the end of Crosshill Lane. They were Dave, Myles, Rob Stephens, Terry, Laurence and were led by David. After a quiet ride through Broadway and John Boden Way, we continued to cycle into the sun with the westerly wind behind us, through Quorn and Mountsorrel. Before we turned into Sileby Lane, Pat caught up with us and joined the ride. We approached Sileby up the hill by the church in the face of much traffic coming down the hill.

The ride then went right and to Cossington, turning left up Bennett’s Lane onto Humble Lane. We gathered our breath at the junction with Radcliffe Road. Then we set off down the hill under the A46 with momentum to help us up the hill the other side to Radcliffe on the Wreake. Filtering left, we coasted through to Thrussington, and to the side gate of Thrussingtons to leave the bikes. The ladies in the tea room invited us to a table with 8 chairs, and served our various orders. I can recommend the Eccles cakes. The table moved about, apparently without human intervention, to allow people to get behind it. Yes, Philip is still talked about around here. Sorry, that there are no pictures. After a chat covering the niceties of having tea together, we set off into the cold for the next part of the ride.

This was up the Seagrave Road, a hill that was made more challenging by the headwind. At the top, we gathered to cross the busy A46, which was actually not too busy. The road took a fast descent into Seagrave, then a steady climb through the village before the undulations of Big Lane. Pat left us on the crossroads with Paudy Lane, and we continued to Walton on the Wolds, enjoying a couple of downhill runs. The road out of Walton led us to Nottingham Road which we crossed as a dogleg. Along the next stretch we experienced more headwind, until we turned into Bandalls Lane. Then we were a bit sheltered by the hedge. We followed Cotes Road to the B676, then joined the A60 at Cotes and crossed the marshes to Loughborough. Rob left us by the station and the rest of us took the inner ring to return more of less to Holt Drive. I got there at 12:15, and hopefully everyone else got home without any trouble on the ride. The ride covered 20 miles in just under 2 hours riding at an average of 11.1 mph, with 984 feet of hill climbing.

Long Ride

Report by Tricia

Seven of us set off from Holt Drive - Brian, Chris, Vic, Betty, Dave, Rob and me (Tricia). We headed to Quorn and then the back way into Barrow and Ratcliffe, meaning the more hilly way! The things we do to avoid doing any part of the route twice.

We then cycled to Gaddesby and went up the hill by the church. This led us to the main reason for the route - Pasture Lane, Green Lane and Klondyke Lane. Beautiful lanes, made even better with the sun shining and showing the countryside at its best.

Betty, Brian, Rob, Vic, Dave and Chris

Our cafe destination was Frisby Lake, where we sat near the blazing log fire and enjoyed their greatly improved selection of cakes.

The route home, into the wind, was via Hoby, Thrussington and Humble Lane. A round route of 35 miles.