Wednesday 23rd October 2024

Short Ride

Report by John

Elaine crossing the Soar in Watemead Park

This week the short ride was to the Methodist Tea Room at Birstall. John C., David, Elaine, Derek, Dennis, Margaret and John N. headed south through Quorn, ignoring the road closed signs and skirting the road works. There were more road works in Mountsorrel and the group led by Terry could be seen ahead. They climbed out of the valley to avoid these while our group negotiated the road works, which meant that at the Bier Way roundabout the groups almost merged. More road works held up riders at Rothley, but here Terry's group headed east while we carried on south, negotiating the new cycle paths skirting the Broadnook Garden Village.

The riders followed the Sustrans route into Birstall where they found that the church hall looked very full. However a lady indicated that they had an "overflow" room and on entering found that a table had been vacated that could accommodate the seven of us.

David, Elaine, Derek, Dennis, Margaret and John at the Methodist Hall Tea Room, Birstall.

After refreshment the riders returned via Watermead Park and at the north end were concerned to note that the Hope and Anchor Pub was up for sale, rather than being refurbished, and the route to the canal path through the car park had been completely blocked. The riders gained access but had to negotiate some steps. The canal path had been flooded recently, so riders had to take care not to slip on the mud. The group returned through Sileby and Barrow, arriving back in Loughborough just after noon.

Long Ride

Report by Keith

With no rides already planned, Lawrence and Keith decided between them that they would pilot a group to Melbourne. So with six others (Stewart, Rob, Robert, Tim, Arnold and Dave) we negotiated Loughborough leaving via Meadow Lane, up Fox hill.

We then headed for Kingston and the short passage down the side of the busy A453 before much relief along quiet Long lane to the Marina and through Sawley and Draycott. Then past Elvaston castle and through Aston and Weston on Trent where we joined the Cloud trail for the last couple of miles to Melbourne. Here we stopped at Shazzas where some of us had savoury and sweet course with our drinks - it had been a long first half of the ride!

Laurence, Stuart, Rob, Robert, David, Tim and Arnold at at Shazzas, Melbourne.

After refuelling and a photograph we then headed back down Cloud trail to Tonge returning via Shepshed where the group split, some going on through the University and the others on the Garendon trail. The 30ish mile ride had turned into 40 miles and we were all glad to be home after an enjoyable ride.