Wednesday 27th March 2024

A bright start to the morning presaged showers and heavier rain later in the day but produced a good turnout.

Short Ride

Report by John

With rain forecast for later in the morning John proposed a long first leg of the ride with refreshments being taken close to home so as to minimise cycling in the rain. He was joined by John N., Clyde, Dom, Andrew, Betty and Chris.

The riders set out through the University and then on up to Shepshed to join Tickow Lane, the northern section of which had recently been resurfaced. However the Lane had been closed at its eastern end but the riders were able to get through to Charley Road using a pedestrian access. Photos were taken outside the old windmill where there was an extensive display of daffodils.

Betty leading Clyde and Andrew along Charley Road

The group followed Charley Road to Beacon Road and then took a right along Shepshed Road before taking a left into a long descent along Joe Moores Lane to Roecliffe where they turned left for Swithland.

The riders then head for Quorn via Woodhouse, circling the village to arrive for refreshments at the Old School House on the edge of the Park.

This was the first visit to this tea shop for several riders as it is too close to home for a normal stop. However the cakes were excellent and the first shower started to come down just as the riders arrived.

John, Clyde, Dom, Andrew, Betty and Chris at the Old School Tea Rooms in Quorn

The rain had eased by the time the riders were ready to leave and most should have got home before the down pour began.

Moderate Ride

Report by Graham

This week I'd hoped to take a group along the canal through Leicester to King's Lock, but the overnight heavy rain and the threat of more, caused me to rethink, and so we headed in the diametrically opposite direction, to Café Blue at Sawley Marina.

"We" being myself, Vic, a brace of Daves, Keith, Tricia, Marcus, Robert, and Rob Smith on a shiny new bike which turned out to have a saddle which didn't suit poor Rob at all.

We headed up the A6 past Robert's house (sorry Robert!), then left through Long Whatton, right towards Kegworth but then left along the bypass and down through the Amazon complex to Lockington. Then a jiggle under the A50 onto Netherfield Lane, right at the end towards Sawley and there we were.

The Café was quite busy but we managed to get sat across 2 tables, lots of goodies on offer, from healthy and gluten free cakes, to the traditional bacon/sausage bap. Best of all they do 10% cyclists discount, provided you ask for it.

David, Keith, Robert, Rob, Vic, Marcus and Ian at Sawley Marina.

I took the team photo as we assembled outside under the gathering rain clouds (sorry Tricia, you were still inside at this point), and we headed for home via the back lanes, then along and under the A453. By this time the rain had started, but Vic scared it away by donning his waterproof, and we had a mainly dry but blustery ride back through Sutton Bonnington and over Fox Hill, with factions peeling off at various points.

Loughborough to Loughborough would have been about 25 miles with a below average amount of climbing, and hopefully most got home before the rain really came down.