Wednesday 11th December 2024

Short Ride to Bawdon Lodge

Report by David

Keith spontaneously put together a short ride to Bawdon Lodge and was joined by Rob Stephens, Andy Williams, Rob Smith, David and Dave.

The temperature was typical for December and it was overcast, but there was little wind and no rain.

Keith took us towards The Beacon on Holt Drive, and we were immediately joined by a learner driver amidst our pack, whom we left as we turned left by the pub. It was a trouble-free ride along Lansdowne Drive and through the Shelthorpe shops, then along Terry Yardley Way, until we rang bells (as we do even when it’s not Christmas) on the corner with Loughborough Road. We continued through Quorn, then turned right onto Wood Lane. We had one stop about half way up, then continued past the quarry and onto Swithland Lane. At the crossroads we followed The Ridings across Swithland Reservoir and into Swithland.

In Swithland, we turned left along Leicester Road and joined Bradgate Road to turn right and head up to Cropston Reservoir. The reservoirs are reasonably full, as could be expected from the amount of rain we have had lately. Shortly afterwards, we turned into Bradgate Park and staff had left the main gate open, avoiding the need to pass bikes through the kissing gate. The park was not very busy, although group of walkers were there. Upon leaving the park, the main gate was opened for staff and we were allowed to tailgate. Then we joined the Bradgate Road in Newtown Linford. Here was our main hill, as we climbed Sharpley Hill, past the ruin of what was the Gibsons Lady Jane Grey restaurant. Then we took Benscliffe Road, past the Christmas tree plantation, and carried along on Shepshed Road until we reached the Beacon Road junction with its rows of increasingly numerous blue rumble strips twice over. There was a short climb left before we went right onto Charley Road. From here we more-or- less coasted down to Bawdon Lodge.

The café staff provided their usual friendly service, and there were lots of cakes to choose from, and the famed Wagon Wheels were in stock. We found a round table that took all of us just by the Christmas gift shop. 

Dave, Keith, Rob, Andy and Robert at Bawdon Lodge

A lady asked us for details of the Wednesday Cyclists, as her father Ron was looking for a group to cycle with, so we gave her the details. Upon emerging, we were in time to remove our bikes from in front of a large container that a driver wanted to access.

The onward road was steadily downhill, which is always a good start after a large intake of goodies. It took us across Abbey Road to the A512. As we crossed, we soon encountered a “Road Closed” sign. There was a gas leak on the bridge across the old railway line on Tickow Lane. We were allowed through. Curiously, I smelled no gas until we got past the turning onto the next leg of Tickow Lane. We gathered some speed until crossing the top end of Hallamford Road, then paused just the other side to check onward routes. Rob Stephens was to head straight to Hathern, while the rest were to cross the Garendon estate to Coe Avenue. The track was not as muddy as expected, with just a few shallow puddles. Once in Loughborough, we went our separate ways.

On this ride I counted 3 occasions when we were overtaken by cars when the drivers had evidently not looked to see if the road ahead was clear before overtaking. I would not categorize any of them as near misses, but they all showed a lack of care for other road users.

The return trip to Holt Drive was 23.8 miles, with an average moving speed of 10.9 mph. The elevation gain was 1227 ft; enough to burn off a Wagon Wheel. A reasonable home arrival time was 12:35

Short Ride to Normanton on Soar

Report by John 

John C. was joined by Chris, Myles, Rob, Andrew, Mick, John N. and Clyde in a short ride to the village shop at Normanton on Soar.

The riders headed out through the University and then up alongside Ashby Road to Shephed from where they headed north up Hallamford Road to join another Ashby Road that took them to Smithy Lane and then into Long Whatton.

John leading Chris, Myles, Rob, Andrew, Mick and Clyde along Smithy Lane

The group then continued north up Whatton Road to Kegworth where they crossed the Soar to Sutton Bonnington and then on south to Normanton.

The village shop was warm and well occupied, but the cyclists were squeezed in.

After refreshment, and a little reluctantly, the riders left the shop and wended their way home via Fox Hill, arriving in Loughborough just after noon.