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 pedestrian crossing. Continuing uphill on Leicester Road, parallel to the A50, we reached a high point by the Whitwick Road and turned left into Mill Lane. There was more coasting downhill from here into Forest Road, where we turned right to go over the M1, then left onto Grassy Lane. We kept on Markfield Lane with a final climb into Main Street Thornton, and went right then left towards Bagworth. The road layout follows a similar pattern through one side of Bagworth. On the road out of Bagworth there is a detached house that has been completely vandalized with paint flung up the walls. We caried on along Bagworth Road, with its deviations and slopes to Nailstone. In Nailstone, we deviated from the main route along quieter roads by the church, then crossed Hinckley Road.

This took us through Barton in the Beans. This village was once famed for its clock maker, although it gets its name from the growing broad beans. Some way out the other side of Barton, we descended onto the canal towpath towards Shackerstone. This was a little overgrown, but with the dry weather was passable.

As we headed for the Battlefield line station, we were confronted by large vehicles and men clearing away weeds. We called in at the ticket office, where we were told that the café was not open. Fortunately, Paul lives is this area and knew of another café close to our return route.

So, we headed for Heather, then out along Swepstone Road. We were soon at the entrance to Cattows Farm, which keeps dinosaurs. But this is not Jurassic Park, and none of them moved. Instead, we had a quiet coffee and cakes outdoors and reminisced about schooldays. I am sure the quality of refreshments was better here, but I forgot to take a photo.

For our return journey, we continued on Main Street, then right onto Pisca Lane. This is another challenging uphill stretch for the second half of a ride. It took us to Ibstock. We crossed Melbourne Road, then followed Leicester Road until Kendall Road took the corner off the turning onto Midland Road. This led into Hugglescote and the forked turn into Forest Road. Tired legs pushed onwards up Meadow Lane to the final uphill challenge crossing Warren Hills Road onto Abbey Road.

On Abbey Road, Bryan and Keith went their separate ways, while the other three of us continued to Shepshed. From here, it was a steady ride back along the edge of the A512 and through the university via Burleigh Court and Coniston Crescent. We came onto Forest Road, turned up Outwoods Drive and crossed the green belt onto Holt Drive.

The total ride, going back to Holt Drive, was 36.5 miles. Our average moving speed was 11.5 mph, which I consider good going for an altitude gain of 2454 feet. We will have been back before 2 pm.

Short Ride

Report by John

John had decided on a circuitous ride to the village shop at Normanton on Soar as the group had not paid them a visit in some time. He was joined by Dennis, Stuart, Derek and Andrew.

The riders headed out through the University, negotiating parties of students and parents arriving for graduation ceremonies and wended their way onto the Garendon trail, where signs of the initial activities of builders were in evidence.

Andrew leading Stuart and Derek along the Garendon Trail.

Heading north the group wound its way to Long Whatton and then on to Kegworth where it had to negotiate an unusual route due to a road closure. Turning east, the riders crossed the Soar and header for West Leake and then down Brickyard Lane, where they found the narrow lane blocked by two large lorries seemingly wishing to go in opposite direction. The one with a large trailer on its rear was attempting to reverse down the Lane when its way was blocked by a bus coming up on it rear. At this point everything halted, allowing the cyclists to get by on the verge, leaving the traffic jam behind to sort itself out.

Stuart, Derek, Dennis and Andrew on Brickyard Lane.

The group then ascended Travell's Hill before descending Butt Lane to Normanton where the usual excellent refreshments (both in terms of quality and price) were sampled by the riders, whilst 4 Red Kites could be seen circling above.