Wednesday 29th January 2025

Medium Ride, Report by Graham

I hadn't planned to lead a ride today, but there was an exceptionally large crowd, and a dearth of leaders, so I led Nim, Pat, Rob Smith, Stuart, Mick, and Marcus to Café Blue at Sawley Marina, on a bright but chilly day.

Outbound we took the A6 to Hathern, turning left to Long Whatton and then right up Kegworth Lane to the bypass, from where we crossed the A453 and descended past Amazon et al into Lockington. Then under the A50 onto Netherfield Lane and right onto Tamworth Road to the marina. Netherfield Lane was on the news recently as one of the most fly tipped lanes in the county: no problem with fly tipping today, but we were attacked by a flock of out of control dogs, under the stewardship (or not) of a dog walker. It could have been nasty had we had children in the group.

Anyway, we battled on the the café, commandeering a round table and consuming a range of comestibles, cakes, teacakes, bacon cobs, you name it. And they don't advertise it, but I remembered that they offer 10% cyclist discount, so some of us at least felt the benefit.

Stuart, Pat, Rob, Nim, Marcus and Mike @ Café Blue,  Sawley Marina

Roman  arrived independently, just as we were leaving, but turned round and joined us, so we were 8 up returning down Warren Lane, Kingston, Sutton Bonington, and finally over Fox Hill back to Lufbra. Fairly uneventful, although Marle Pit Hill was blocked by roadworks but we squeezed by along the footpath. Marcus dropped back to take a phone call at some point, then Pat and Roman peeled off towards the Leakes, so we were down to 5 at the end.

Loughborough to Loughborough was about 25 miles, not too much climbing, no floods, and almost no mud this week. 

Intermediate Ride to Tyler’s Tea Rooms in Castle Donington

Report by David

It was not a bad day for January, slightly warmer than previous days with bright sunshine and no rain. Many of us had not been out much over the past 2 months.

David led a ride to Castle Donington, accompanied by Arnold, Dave J, Ian, Margaret, Rob Stephens, Laurence, Terry and Tim.

We set off along Holt Drive and crossed Forest Road onto Ashleigh Drive, then took the Margaret Keay Road at a determined pace to University Road. We continued into Oakwood Drive, and used the unmade track to get to Ashby Road. Soon after taking the pedestrian crossing, our riders turned right into Garendon Park Farm. We carried on through, including a few puddles and coarse surfaces, to Coach Road. At the end, we went left onto Cumbrian Way and right onto Fairway Road.

At the end of this road, our route took us left and right down Kirkhill and to Field Street at the centre of Shepshed. After turning left, we passed the Pied Bull on Belton Street. The poor scared animal is still perched up on the pub roof. After a short gathering, we came down Hallamford Road, then used the Sustrans route to get to Belton. There were occasional walkers also enjoying a chance to get out. Margaret left us at Belton, and we continued onto Mill Lane out to Diseworth. This is a long cross-country road with a right-hand bend next to a stables. On a grass verge, a pheasant sounded a stuttering rasp, although there seemed no cause for alarm, for us.

After turning right on approaching Diseworth, we went left along The Bowley and Hall Gate to get to Grimes Gate. There is quite a hill to get to East Midlands airport from here, so we let a tractor pass. On the hill, there were 2 workers measuring the road. We crossed the A453 and used a short path to get into the airport, then took the southernmost road through the airport site. The wind was more noticeable up here, particularly as we were riding into it. We rejoined the A453 using the adjacent footpath ready to turn right past Donington race track. Our route then went to Hill Top. We descended into Castle Donington, by-passing some roadworks using the cycle track, then went right up Delven Lane, which is quite steep, although not far. At the top, we took Dovecote and Apiary Gate to arrive at Tyler’s.

The tea rooms were quite full, so we were seated on 3 tables. Some ladies on my table advised that Hemington Hill was closed; so, we started plotting alternative routes home.

Tyler’s Tea Rooms in Castle Donington

We were served with a variety of goodies. I would recommend the bacon butty, which would more than stop a door, and Dave did not go back for seconds. 

I would also recommend the Latte. Typically, when we emerged, it was cold.

We decided to make for the Baroon and give Hemington Hill a try, despite the clear road signs advising otherwise. There was at least one pedestrian coming the other way at the top, but we had to get to the bottom to find out whether there was a way through. Despite the road being blocked by a truck, the driver beckoned us through. It appeared that the workmen had just finished and were in the process of clearing up.

We passed the quiet village of Hemington, which I heard was nearly called Remington, but then it wasn’t. It was a close shave at the council offices. Then we turned right to Lockington where, some distance after a left turn, we reached a series of cycle tracks that enabled us to negotiate the A50 and the M1 and get to Warren Lane. Either side of Warren Lane and Ratcliffe Lane, the lakes were quite full. We turned right onto Long Lane then, just as we approached the bridge over the A453, the traffic lights changed in our favour and we carried on to Station Road. Just over the bridge over the River Soar, Station Road continues as a minor road then up to a railway bridge. There were some road works here too. Just after this, we went right onto College Road, past the agricultural college, and were overtaken by a speeding 4x4 car. Just around the corner where the road descends over another railway bridge into Sutton Bonington, the road was closed. But there was a footpath open. After negotiating the 5-point turning of the 4x4, we took the footpath into Sutton Bonington village, which was very quiet.

At the end of the road out of Sutton Bonington, Park Lane, we went right through Zouch, then continued almost to the A6. However, there is a peaceful albeit narrow route around the back of Hathern, through a park and past the church. We took that and said goodbye to Rob, whose house we had somehow by-passed, then emerged onto the A6 just before the Anchor pub.

We carried on to Loughborough, via the path next to Black Brook and the Epinal Way, and most of us returned to Holt Drive.

The ride was 27.5 miles. We rode at an average speed of 10.2 mph with an elevation gain 1378 feet, and arrived at about 1 pm.

Short Ride

Report by John

After the other 3 groups had left John was left with Leigh, Max, Chris, Clyde, Myles, John N., Andrew and Dennis who had opted for a short ride to the Olivia's Cafe in the Outwoods.

The riders setout through the University taking the direct route to Shepshed as the route across Garendon would probably have been very muddy following all the rain that had fallen. They wended their way to Tickow Lane and then climbed Charley Road to Beacon Road where they descended north down to Shepshed Road taking a left turn down to Dean's Lane. Here they had a steep climb to the Bench where John (who had gone ahead) was waiting to take photos.

Chris and Max at the top of Dean's Lane

Following a swift descent to Breakback Road the riders had another steep ascent to the Outwoods car park and Olivia's Cafe. Here Dennis left them as he need to get back to Loughborough promptly.

Leigh, Max, Chris, Clyde, Myles, John N., Andrew and John C. at Olivia's Cafe at the Outwoods.

After an excellent repast in Olivia's the riders headed south along Woodhouse Lane and Breakback Road to Beacon Road, returning via Woodhouse Eaves, Woodhouse and Quorn to arrive back in Loughborough at noon.