Wednesday 31st July 2024

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 back to look for her while we waited at the playing fields. It was likely that Betty would turn up somewhere, as she sent us a WhatsApp.

The ride continued through the south side of the university onto Oakwood Drive, then cut across a gravel track to Ashby Road. Traffic was light today, so we got across easily, then took the quite recently-opened entrance into Garendon Park. There was still excavation, but no actual digging in this hot weather. We emerged from Coach Road onto Cumbrian Way, Shepshed, then joined Fairway Road to Forest Street. We went right, past the schools then down the hill to Brook Street. Soon we turned up Chapel Street to Oakley Road and the Garmin was still calculating, so, it’s a good job we weren’t intending to ride quickly.

Out next direction was along Hallamford Road and across the fields, where farm machinery was out sorting out late cereal crops. We crossed the B5324 to Belton centre, then went left to cross the B5324 again onto Gracedieu Lane. Not only was the road clear, it was actually silent.

Turning right onto Church Lane for Osgathorpe, there were ominous red signs although nothing requiring acrobatics. At the top of Dawson’s Road, we crossed the B5324 again, and followed Breedon Lane to Top Brand. Going straight over, was the track past the quarry, which was sometimes bumpy, but largely downhill, and guarded by a couple of Star Wars droids, who let us through unchallenged.

At the bottom, we encountered part of the Cloud Trail and the car park before linking up with Breedon Lane. Then we went right onto Long Hedge Lane, continuing up and out to the A453, just after a bridge crossing the A42. We turned left, then went right briefly on the B587, taking the turning for the Staunton Harold Estate. On our way through, it was preferable to let some cars past.

The Ferrers Centre had a table for us and we were served quickly. Presently, Betty appeared, having taken a different route. We enjoyed the ambience of the quadrangle while some of us looked in at the Victorian Model Workshop.

David, Bryan, Robert, Ged, Stuart and Betty at Staunton Stables

What turned this ride into an Intermediate ride, was the decision not to back track the wrong way through the one-way system, but instead to take the north west exit across the fields to Heath End. Here we said goodbye to Bryan, who went left while we went right up the hilly road past the exit from Calke, down to cross a leg of the reservoir, then up, again to meet the B587 half way from Melbourne. So, we headed back on this road.

We turned right, crossing the A453, and continued left past Newbold Coleorton. Once again, we crossed the B5324 and waved Rob off as the remainder of us took Gelsmore Road to Peggs Green, which became agonizingly steep uphill. We crossed Nottingham Road onto Church Hill, which continued across the A512, then were treated to a downhill ride to Talbot Lane. We found our way to Grace Dieu Road, then the Garmin was sending us back to the A512 through Thringstone. We did an about turn in Swallow Dale, then continued up Turolough Road onto Warren Lane, where we encountered a hophead (a slang word chosen for its connotation with rabbits) on foot, with whom we had to be careful to avoid a collision.

At the end of Warren Lane, we hared down Swannymote Road to the A512, then followed that at more restrained speed to Loughborough, using roadside tracks when available.

Short Ride

Report by John

Once the other three groups had departed John was left with Andrew, Dennis, Dom, Myles, Clyde, Paul, David and Eric. As it was a sunny day with a light wind from the east, it was decided to head for Millie's north east of Barrow on Soar

The group negotiated Loughborough Town Centre and wound their way onto Meadow Lane turning south in Stanford on Soar for Cotes. 

John leading the group along Stanford Lane

They then climbed the A60 to Hoton and turned east into Wymesold Road which over some miles evolved into Narrow Lane which took them to Six Hills where they turned west along Paudy Lane. As it was a nice day and the tea place close to home, John decided to take Berrycott Lane

David and Myles ahead of Paul and Andrew on Berrycott Lane.

to Seagrave from where the riders had to climb back up to Paudy Lane followed by a gradual descent with a tail wind to Millie's.

Andrew, Dennis, Dom, Myles, Clyde, Paul, David and Eric at Millie's

After sampling the excellent cakes on offer while enjoying the sunshine,

the riders returned to Loughborough via Barrow and Quorn.