Medium Ride

Report by Graham

The forecast was for warmth, so I suggested Redhill Marina in the hope that we could sit outside.

But it was chilly and hazy as I led Marcus, Rob Smith, Nim, Keith H, Helen, Tim, Leigh and Mick out via Meadow Lane to Stanford, where Mick peeled off, having a funeral to attend.

The promised sunshine never appeared, so we pedalled through the cold and murk via East Leake and Gotham, and came across an emerging new town, "Fairham" between Gotham and Clifton. There we peeled left onto Barton Lane, passing under the A453 and heading SW, parallel to it, up a short sharp 12% climb just out of Thrumpton, before passing the now dead power station and onwards to Redhill.

LWC first visited when Howard took us there in 2017. It was basic then and is basic now, it mainly services the workers from the adjacent boatyards, although a couple of mountain bikers also rocked up. If you look away from the boatyards it's a lovely setting, but it was still a bit chilly for al fresco, so we piled inside, taking up most of the seating and forcing the regulars outside. In our defence, most of them had more natural insulation than us!

Helen, Rob (half hidden), Nim, Tim, Graham, Marcus, Keith and Leigh at Redhill Marina.

Mugs of tea and coffee, cakes flapjacks and bacon cobs and scrambled eggs were consumed, but our attention was diverted to Leigh, who grew increasingly wound up by the poster which described 2 tablespoons as equivalent to 6 teaspoons, but which pictured 3, not 2 of the former! See photo.

The cause of discombobulation

Once Leigh got over his discombobulation, we headed south under the A453 (a different bit), then Kingston, Sutton Bonington, Zouch and Hathern. Marle Pit Hill was still closed but we squeezed down the footpath.

Loughborough to Loughborough was about 25 miles, not too much climbing, and the sun came out just as I got home.

Short Ride

Report by John

The forecast was for the sun to come out and the temperature to rise, so John offered a ride to East Goscote Garden Centre at Cossington. He was joined by John N., Clyde, Eric, Derek, Rob, Duncan, Myles, Dom and Mick. The riders departed Loughborough via Shelthorpe and Quorn, climbing Wood Lane and turning south at the Ridings for Rothley. Having wended their way past Rothley Church of England Academy the group ascended to cross the A46 and take the pedestrian/cyclist bridge to Wanlip.

The riders continued south to Lambourne Road where they turned left for Watermead Park. At this point it was noted that three riders were missing. John back tracked to meet Dom, Duncan and Clyde who were underway after Dom had discovered a puncture in his front tyre. They had pumped it up but is was rapidly softening. After joining the other riders work began on extracting the wheel and replacing the inner tube. The cause of the puncture was soon discovered, a thorn that had apparently effortlessly penetrated the protective belt built into the tyre and which proved to be firmly entrenched. It was finally removed when a rider managed to locate some thin nose pliers in this toolkit.

How many cyclists does it take to replace an inner tube?

Refitting the tyre proved problematic and tyre leavers were resorted to in order to get the tyre back on the rim. However when the tyre was pumped it was noted that the it was not inflating. Thus the tyre had to be removed again and John C. located another inner tube which was fitted and after some careful struggles with the tyre, it was successfully inflated.

John N. leading Rob along canal tow path.

The riders then headed north through Watermead Park and alongside the canal to Cossington, where refreshments were taken indoors as the sun had failed to breakthrough.