Annual Long Ride Report Report by Vic Finally the 3rd of July arrived but the weather was still cool and with possible rain showers and a fresh S. Westerly wind slated for our return. I arrived at the clubhouse at 8.55am ready for the 9.00am early start. There were three or four riders there already and over the next few minutes our numbers swelled to nine, unfortunately Graham had not managed to sort his washing machine malfunction in time. Due to the size of the group we decided to head for the quieter roads via Quorn, Mountsorrel, Sileby and eventually at Cossington we headed uphill towards Ratcliffe. We meandered along the Wreake Valley climbing away from it at Asfordby and onto Wartnaby and then the long descent to our morning stop at the Long Clawson Cafe. We all had to cram around a table as several of the indoor areas were reserved for a walking group. Fortunately the staff were very efficient and we soon had our chosen refreshments, Divendra being the last to be serve...

Short Ride Written by Andrew with a little help from legendary song writers Benny and Björn from Abba, cheesy pop music, which he confesses is right up his street!! ! Super Trouper Wednesday morning was pretty hot but with a nice cooling breeze. Eric was a Super Trouper and kindly offered a short ride of 21 miles to Costock Garden Center. As usual, I didn't take much persuasion to accept the shortest ride on offer!! Eric and I were joined by some legendary cyclists namely, Clyde, Dennis, Keith, Mick and Rob P. Waterloo The circuitous route to Costock was via Cotes, Burton on The Wolds and Wymeswold. I noted a few pot holes, but fortunately we all made it round safely and no one met their Waterloo on the above mentioned pot holes. Pat, Eric, Dennis, Keith, Roman, Andrew, Clyde, Mike and Rob at Costock Garden Centre. I Have A Dream I got to the coffee shop a bit hot and tired and dreaming of refreshments, shade and the usual excellent banter. It was here that we wer...

Short Ride Andrew’s match report (With a little help from messers Mercury, May, Deacon and Taylor aka Queen). Don't Stop Me Now There were two short / shortish rides on offer, and so the writer of these words offered chocolate celebrations as a non too subtle bribe to those who came with him on Eric's ride. (Although his favourite maltesers were removed first). So we left with seven riders … Eric, Margaret, Andrew, Myles, John, Chris and Dennis. “Bicycle Race” Following on from my sweet treat of a bribe we left Holt Drive and headed out on the old A6 through Quorn and Mountsorrel towards Rothley and then past Rothley Golf Club and through Thurcaston heading into Leicester. As we approached Red Hill flyover Margaret peeled off for an early return to LB. One Vision As we crossed Abbey Road, I was looking forward to refreshments and had one vision, to get to the coffee shop in Abbey Park for teas, coffees, cakes, bacon sandwiches and most importantly insane and ina...

Long Ride Report by Alan After some time away (due mainly to the poor weather) I re-emerged to offer a 39 mile ride to “Chocs Away”, the cafe at Nottingham Airport near Tollerton. Only two very exciting bits happened on the outward journey. The first was getting caught up with Vic’s group as we headed through town. The result of which was we nearly lost Brian and Mick who decided to follow the multitude of yellow tops regardless of which group they belong to. Thankfully these deadly rivals split to go separate ways at Stanford on Soar. From Stanford we proceeded on to East Leake, Bunny, Clipston, and Cotgrave. At the latter point we did a sharp left and spent the next 3 miles following the (disused) Grantham Canal through Cotgrave Country Park. It was here that the second exciting event happened; a large swan blocking the path. We all closed our eyes, counted to ten and sailed past. By now the natives were getting restless. We had hit the 20 mile mark and they needed their caffe...

Long Ride Report by Graham This week, the long riders visited the Gate Hangs Well, at Carlton near Bosworth. We were 5 strong, Vic, Dave J, Mick and Bryan followed me out out of Holt square, through the university and then trying to avoid the worst of the hills, riding via Shepshed, Belton, Osgathorpe and Thringstone, then the route 52 track through Whitwick and Coalville. We paused briefly outside the colliery cafe to ponder the gathering clouds, but pressed on, although at Ravenstone the rain started and we took shelter and donned waterproofs, and took the team photo. Vic, Bryan, Mike and David caping up at Ravenstone. The waterproofs had their desired effect, the rain stopped immediately, and we passed through Heather and Odstone before arriving at the pub/cafe. I hadn't been before, but had heard it was a cyclists' favourite, especially on a Wednesday, and sure enough the place was thronged with sweaty bodies from various points in Leics, mostly of a similar demogr...

Intermediate ride to Borrowash Report by David The weather was overcast, but warm. The ride to Borrowash attracted a large following, and later a leading as riders champed at the bit to get home. It was led by David, accompanied by Keith, Bryan, Brian, Betty, Paul, Rob Stephens, Rob Smith, Dave Jobling, and Tricia. A typical route was chosen to get to Meadow Lane via the canal towpath. We crossed the meadow to Stanford on Soar with no issue from flooding. Coming up Fox Hill, it became apparent that we had several riders who could race up hill. We stopped briefly outside Normanton village hall, then continued to Sutton Bonington. Marle Pit Hill was no sweat and so we carried on through Kingston on Soar. After passing under the railway bridge, we went right to Ratcliffe on Soar. The turning onto Main Street is almost immediately followed by a track that follows the river Soar, then goes under the A453. There is a zigzag path leading up to the A453, allowing us to cross bo...

On Monday morning Ariadne discovered me unconscious on the bathroom floor and the emergency services took me down to Leicester A&E. A brain scan showed that blood had been leaking from a vein into my right cranium which controls the left side of my body. This leak may well have predated my fall onto my left side earlier in the year, when I broke my left arm. The scan was sent through to the Neuro Trauma team at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham who said they needed to operate urgently if I was to live. I was rushed to Nottingham and on Monday night operated on to remove the blood causing the problems and seal the vein. I regained consciousness Tuesday morning with all my faculties (as far as I can tell) but having to be careful re. walking and head movements. The surgeons seem pretty confident that I should be back to normal in a month or two. I was discharged late on the Saturday and hope to resume normal activity over the next month or two. Very useful living within easy reach ...