Loughborough Wednesday Cyclists

Today, was a proper summer’s day with occluded sun and little wind except on downhill stretches, and it was a bonus ride in the sense that this was the 5th Wednesday of the month that we were out riding, despite the year as a whole delivering unsuitable weather more than other years. Indeed, we sympathised with many cycling participants in the Olympic games, who confronted perilous surfaces after torrential downpours in Paris. Intermediate Ride Report by David David led a shortish ride to Staunton Harold, accompanied by Bryan, Ged, Rob Stephens, Stuart and Betty. It was an unusually contorted route out to the university, going via Outwoods Drive, the playing fields path out to Sandalwood Road, Woodbrook Road, Valley Road, Brookside Road, Badger Way, Brook Lane, then across Nanpantan Road at the crossing. Then we took the footpath to Mardale Way, and Derwent Drive to enter the university site by Burleigh Court. Unfortunately, we lost Betty at Outwoods Drive, despite Ged going b

Another warm summer's morning produced another good turnout with 3 rides departing from Holt Drive. Short Ride Report by John When John arrived at Holt Drive he was reminded that the short ride was meant to be going to Dobbies Garden Centre, so he had to rapidly devise a route. He was joined by Derek, Leigh, David (a new rider), Wendy, Alan, Myles, Dennis and Andrew. The riders departed Loughborough via Mucklin Wood and headed for Swithland. Here they turned right up Leicester Lane and right up to Cropston Reservoir before heading south along Cropston Road towards Anstey.  Wendy leading Myles, Leigh, Derek & Andrew along Leicester Lane The group then turned left onto Anstey Lane for Thurcaston and Rothley Station, continuing on to Rothley Court where the riders turned left up the Ridings to West Cross Lane ( which had road closed signs displayed) towards Mountsorrel. The road was actually closed at the junction with Walton Way and rider had to negotiate the footpath and

A beautiful summer morning produced another good turnout with 3 rides departing from Holt Drive. Intermediate Ride Report by David It was another warm still day, with enough cloud to allay sunburn. David was joined by Paul and Bryan, and two relatively new riders, Keith and Arnold. We set off across Shelthorpe to avoid the unpredictable crossings at the exits of roundabouts, then proceeded to the Quorn crossroads. From here, we turned right to go to Woodhouse, and took the School Lane turning. Continuing along Brand Lane until the triangle, we went up Swithland Road past one of the entrances to Swithland Wood, and negotiated the ups and downs before reaching Warren Hill. This was the first challenging hill of the ride and was followed by coasting down Sharpley Hill into Newtown Linford. The five of us then took a right turn into Markfield Lane, which provided another uphill challenge with a brief respite at the Markfield roundabout, near which we crossed the A50 on a pedes

A rather cool and cloudy morning for July saw an excellent turnout of c. 30 riders which necessitated four groups. Short Ride Report by John Derek had come prepared with a "reserve" ride to Bawdon Lodge which was taken up in order to keep the groups to a reasonable size. He was accompanied by Rob, David, Bryan, Margaret and John. The riders headed for Shepshed via the University and Garendon Park.  Rob and Derek leading Margaret and David. Bryan leading David and Margaret across Garendon Park Arriving in Shepshed there was a little confusion when Bryan led the leading riders up Chapel Street to Oakley Road. Margaret and David lost sight of the leaders and took the more frequented route up Belton Street. The riders regrouped at Tickow Lane which they followed to Charley Road and Bawdon Lodge. Margaret, David, Rob, Derek and Bryan at the Windmill on Charley Road John, David, Rob, Derek, Bryan and Margaret at Bawdon Lodge Farm After a relaxed refreshment stop Bryan