Short Ride Report by John It was a beautiful but chilly spring morning and John decided to offer a short but hilly ride through bluebell woods to the highest tea room in Charnwood Forest at Ulverscroft. He was joined in this endeavour by Andrew, Helen, Chris, Dennis, Eric, Jedd, David and Mick. The riders departed Loughborough past Mucklin Wood to Beaumanor and climbed to Woodhouse Eaves where they turned up Maplewell Road followed by a steep ascent up Priory Lane past Green Hill. John leading Helen,  Dennis and Mick up Priory Lane. Following a very fast descent down Brockers Cliffe, the riders had another challenging climb to Stoneywell before another rapid descent past Ulverscroft Wood and the final climb to Ulverscroft Grange Tea Rooms. Andrew, Helen, Chris, Dennis, Eric, Jedd, David and Mick at Ulverscroft Grange Tearooms. Refreshments were taken in the sunshine and several riders took a look at the extensive model railway located here. The riders returned whence they h...

Intermediate Ride to Vale View Equestrian Centre, Old Dalby Report by David G. It was a little cloudy and cool at first, but brightened up and got warmer, as the ride progressed. St George’s Day might have been a good day to take a coffee while watching trusty steeds taken through their paces. So, David led Brian, Betty, Dave J., Arnold, Tim, Mick, Nim and Rob on a circuitous route via the Equestrian Centre. The large group of us stuck together during the ride across Loughborough, which used the canal towpath to get to Meadow Lane. There was little traffic in the centre, but large cargoes heading into town on Meadow Lane. Our first hill of note was the Leake Lane. It may have been tempting to turn off and sit amongst the bluebells when we got to the top, but we coasted down to East Leake on Castle Hill, then headed for Costock. There was little delay at the A60, and we waited for a fellow cyclist speeding down the hill before setting off. We continued through Wysall, takin...

Short Ride Report by John A very blustery, cool and overcast early morning resulted in a lower than average turnout with just two rides leaving Holt Drive. John offered a ride upwind to Birstall and was joined by Mike, Myles, Eric (hidden), Andrew, Rob, Chris, John N., David, Margaret and Keith. The riders headed out via Shelthorpe to Quorn where the "Road Closed" sign was ignored and a route through Stafford Orchard adopted (on the advice of John N.) in order to bypass the road works. Carrying on down the old A6 the riders crossed the Soar at Mountsorrel to Sileby from where they headed south to Cossington and the path leading to Watermead Park. David leading Myles and Andrew. At the bridge over the Wreake the path was blocked by a road works sign. Mike promptly dismounted and stowed it in the bushes to the side of the track. The Riders then continued alongside the Grand Union Canal to Watermead Park where they took the west route past the floating King Lear statues, ...

Short Ride Report by John After the other groups had departed just Dennis, Eric, Duncan and Derek remained with John for a ride to East Leake. The riders left Loughborough via Meadow Lane before heading south east to Cotes followed by a climb up Loughborough Road to Hoton. The group then headed east to Wymeswold and on to Wysall where they turned west to Costock and East Leake. Derek leading Eric and Dennis up Wysall Lane Arriving in East Leake they joined another group of cyclists sitting in the sun outside Bryers Cafe. After consuming refreshments the riders returned to Loughborough via Leake Lane (with its many potholes) and Stanford on Soar. Eric, Duncan, Derek and Dennis in East Leake.

Short Ride Report by John A beautiful sunny April morning (although with a cool and blustery east wind) produced an excellent turnout. After the longer rides had left the remaining group was too large and Eric offered a ride to Abbey Park leaving John with new riders Steve and Richard together with Mick, Andrew, Duncan, Myles, Dom and Clyde for a ride to Kegworth. The group headed out through the University to Coe Avenue and a dry, but rough in places, ride across Garendon to Shepshed. From here the riders dropped down Hallamford Road then turned east on Ashby Road before turning down Smith Lane to Long Whatton.  Steve and Andrew at the top of Kegworth Lane The riders then followed Kegworth Lane up to the by-pass from where they descended to Kegworth and refreshments at Oaklands. Steve, Richard, Mick, Andrew, Duncan, Myles, Dom and Clyde at Oaklands in Kegworth. After a pleasant sojourn in the sun, the riders headed out across the Soar to Sutton Bonnington and then Melton Lane...