Wednesday 28th February 2024

Short Ride to Stonehurst Farm

Report by John

A rather dank morning with rain forecast for late morning saw a slightly reduced turnout with John C., Andrew, Pat, Derek, Marcus, John N. and Dennis opting for the short ride. So as to be close to home late in the morning it was decided to take a circuitous route to Stonehurst Farm.

The group set out via Cross Lane and through Shelthorpe to Quorn from where they climbed to the Quarry. They then turned into the Ridings for Swithland and took Leicester Lane leading on to the dam road across Cropston Reservoir where the overflow was still running.

The riders then headed towards Rothley and took a left turn onto the Ridgeway.

John leading Dennis along the Ridgeway

Rejoining the Ridings the group made a right turn onto another Cross Lane that took them to Mountsorrel and Stonehurst Farm,  just as a shower of rain arrived.

John C., Andrew, Pat, Derek, Marcus, John N. and Dennis at Stonehurst Farm

After the usual sojourn in the cafe the riders took the direct route via Quorn to Loughborough, with riders departing at various points along the route, arriving back in Loughborough shortly after noon.

Intermediate Ride

Report by David

It was an overcast day, with a slight chill and the occasional sprinkle of water from above to bless us. Two rides had already been prepared by Graham and Alan to set off at 9:30 – the start time we are due to revert to next week. For this ride, Alan was joined by Trisha, Laurence, Mick, and David.

We proceeded through Loughborough, turning off Forest Road along Kingfisher Way, then taking William Way to William Street, York Road, Broad Street and Bridge Street, passing Derek on his way in, presumably for the 10 o’clock rides. We continued to Clarence Street, then left on Nottingham Road, eventually exiting Loughborough after numerous stops at traffic lights. The A60 was quite busy over the flood plain. Just as we were approaching the bend by the river for our turning along Barrow Road, a red pickup vehicle overtook us and then got stranded on the bend as vehicles were coming the other way. Soon after our turn the road was flooded either side of the camber, causing us to slow. Cars were still overtaking us as we indicated right to go along Cotes Road.

The ride along Bandalls Lane allowed us some peace at last, and Trisha was able to retrieve a useful Christmas present – small chemical heat bags for the gloved hands. We turned left onto Walton Lane, then crossed the Nottingham Road left and right to go up the hill on Barrow Road. David was temporarily interrupted by an emergency phone call from home to say that a health visitor had arrived unannounced and was looking for records. Next time, I’ll leave an old Des O’Connor record out; I’ll “Try to Remember” where I put it.

Our route took us through Burton on the Wolds to the turning by the cemetery to Wymeswold, Burton Lane, past banks of solar panels and a growing industrial estate, into Wymeswold. At the triangle, we took Brook Street that leads to the slightly hilly Narrow Lane. At the end of Narrow Lane, we convened ready for the next few miles of B676. This passes under the A46, then does another 4.5 miles, crossing the A6006. Whilst making our way along this road, we were overtaken by a car going so fast that a nearby Buzzard was temporarily grounded as it waited for the air to clear.

We took a right turn signposted for Wartnaby, and once again were onto quiet roads. The right angles of the road indicate that it was originally directed around fields. It avoided Wartnaby and led, via Main Street into Ab Kettleby. We took a right turn along Belvoir Avenue, then right onto Welby Lane. The road climbed a little towards a farm vehicle with many lights on, that was about to emerge from a field. We then coasted along to a left turn onto Welby Lane. Just under a mile later, near another favourite haunt (The Hilltop Café) we turned right onto Welby Lane, and this ran into Welby Road. By this time, I was wondering who would have such local influence that all the roads were named after them. I expect it was a long time ago, perhaps during the period that Alan has been reading of (the turn of the 11th century) and exercised our imaginations at the refreshments break as to what was life like then.

It was soon after this that we reached The Grange, crossing the Asfordby Road and entering an avenue of beautiful early flowering cherry trees.

The Grange, Mountain Restaurant, Asfordby Hill has a reputation for large helpings. We were served our drinks first by the waitress service, either to give us time to address the menu or to clear enough space on the table for the mountainous repast to follow. However, Laurence had to ask again for egg to be included in his egg and bacon roll, and Trisha found that they did not do toasted teacakes, but they did toast but then she had to ask for something to spread on the toast. I was served more quickly with Sicilian Orange Sponge cake, but as you will see from the photo, it was gone before anyone else’s food was provided to order, and very nice too. The restaurant was quite busy and the service was sort of friendly, if remarks were interpreted as banter. At least they provided water for those taking tea to top up the pot.

Mike, Laurence, Alan and Trish at the Grange, Mountain Restaurant, Asfordby Hill

It was starting to threaten rain when we emerged, and we sped down the hill, past Asfordby Hill school and into Asfordby Valley. At the roundabout we came off onto Main Street, through Asfordby and then up the hill. We went left onto Hoby Road. I was surprised to see no sign of flooding as we passed Frisby Lakes. We did the usual zigzag through Hoby, then down to the Thrussington Road. In Thrussington, Alan tested our resilience by proposing the route up towards Seagrave. This follows a long hill, then crosses the busy A46. We were all game for this and the ride through Seagrave to Big Lane, where Kites were playing, and up to Paudy Lane.

We came down Paudy Lane into Barrow upon Soar, then up Grove Lane, past the station to South Street. Through busy traffic we came down the hill from the dinosaur roundabout, over the bridge and along Barrow Road. After crossing the A6, we entered Quorn along the narrow Barrow Road, and said goodbye to Trisha. We turned into Loughborough Road. A double decker bus hooted Alan and me 10 yds before a bus stop in Quorn, where a woman was hailing the bus to stop. When we reached the traffic lights at the Woodhouse Road crossroads, the driver explained that it was unsafe to ride 2 abreast.

We were then joined by Howard, Jeff and Leigh who had just ridden from Desford. We all continued towards Loughborough and paused at the Allendale Road roundabout. Mick turned off shortly before this. I nearly collided with car while crossing Allendale Road – a lesson not to trust motorists there. Seriously, I trust that we all got home safely at around 2pm.

The ride back to Holt Drive was 35.3 miles. We covered it at an average moving speed of 11.0 mph, and an, altitude gain of 1663 feet.

Thanks to Alan for an interesting ride, and the route passed at least 5 of our favourite rest stops, which is good to know when using this route again.

Long ride to Cook in the Nook, Cosby

Report by Graham

I wasn't sure how many would turn up to my long and slightly early ride, but despite the gloom we were 10 strong leaving Holt Drive, and that was after Alan had departed with 6 or more...

We were slightly delayed, we had to wait for Dave J to nip back home, he'd forgotten to put his helmet on, but that worked out well for Dave C, who rocked up late, having only just got the 9:30 memo!

So I led Vic, Brian, the 2 Daves, Rob Smith, Ged, Nim, Keith, and Jim outbound on familiar roads through Bradgate Park, (mercifully quiet) via Ratby to Desford, then less familiar roads through Thurlaston, Huncote and Narborough to our destination, the Cook in the Nook, Cosby, arriving shortly before 12:00. Cosby is a pretty little village, despite its proximity to the city, and the cafe is highly recommended and popular with cyclists, although we were the only ones today. Despite our numbers and spreading over 3 tables, we were served efficiently with cakes, Bacon butties, Soup, and the usual variety of hot drinks.

Jed, Dave, Vic, Keith,  Ian, Rob Smith, Jim and Nim.

We gathered outside in the drizzle for the group photo (sorry Brian, I somehow missed you), and then Jim, not fancying the city route home, set off on a solo ride back. For the rest of us, after a couple of miles negotiating the Enderby traffic, we were soon on the Great Central way going on a more direct route homeward, punctuated by various members reminiscing about Leicester times gone by as we passed through the city.

Ged peeled off at Birstall, followed by Vic at Rothley and them me at 'Sorrel. I trust the remainder made their way back in the increasingly heavy drizzle, some time after 2pm.

Total distance was just under 45 miles, not too much climbing and nice to ride some new roads and coffee stop.