Short Ride 1 Report by David With scattered showers, it was a wonder to see so many riders at Holt Drive. David volunteered to lead a ride to the Ellis tea rooms, and was joined by Andrew, Chris, John, Rob Pinsent, Leigh and Myles. There were some early issues with the Garmin and Strava denied access to the chosen route, possibly due to non-payment of the subscription. The contributions from the Garmin before we finally reached our coffee break were “off course”, “recalculating” and “make a U-turn” . We set off towards Barrow-upon-Soar as the clouds gathered in the distance, and by the time we reached the Flesh Hovel roundabout there was enough rain to justify a stop to don waterproofs. We took a right turn at the Dinosaur roundabout, noting that there was a road closure to the left. An articulated lorry was parked with its hazard warning lights, so it was a while before we could pass on our way to Sileby. By now the Garmin was illegible due to the depth of rain on t...

Short Ride Report by John A beautiful late Spring morning produced a good turnout and, after riders had chosen the two longer rides,  some 15 riders remained who had opted for the short ride to Jades at Newtown Linford offered by John.   This was in addition to those opting for Terry's ride to Staunton Stables Tea Room. Terry had popped home for a water bottle and riders were awaiting his return.  Sixteen riders would be an uncomfortably large group on the road, so Robert "volunteered" to lead a group via Mountsorrel and was joined by Mike, David P., Dennis, Margaret and Helen which departed promptly. Upon Terry's return John led Dom, David, Myles, Rob, Nim, Eric, Andrew, John N., and Duncan past excavations on Outwoods Avenue and Cross Lane, leaving Loughborough by the Mucklin Wood track to Beaumanor. From Woodhouse the group rode on Swithland where they turned onto Leicester Lane and continued to Cropston from where they headed north across Reservoir Road t...

Short Ride Report by John A bright cool late Spring morning saw a good turnout but the two 30 mile+ rides failed to attract as many riders as usual leaving John facing an over large group for his proposed ride to Millie's just outside Barrow. The problem was solved when it was agreed that the group would split with half taking almost the same route to the Flying Goose at Six Hills. The Six Hills group departed first while John remained with Dennis, Chris, Mick, Andrew, Duncan and Margaret for a few minutes to avoid the groups merging John led the group through Loughborough past All Saints Church and down Meadow Lane where to their surprise they spotted the Six Hill group that had taken the Schwäbisch Hall Way alongside the canal. Now the lead group, they proceeded to Stanford where they turned south-east to Cotes where they turned left up Loughborough Road towards Hoton. Arriving at the turning for Hoton Hills Farm the group stopped to let a couple of riders "off the bac...

Intermediate Ride Report by David It had been persistently dry, and today was no exception, with a slight chill in the air early on, but warming up with cloud cover. David led Arnold and Betty on a ride that was presented with Calke as the destination. Perhaps such a destination was the reason for the low take-up. The three riders went through the university and over the M1 to Shepshed, then via Leicester Road and Cambridge Street to Tickow Lane. After taking the Sustrans route over the hill to Belton, we continued on Mill Lane to Gelscoe Lane through Tonge and Wilson into Melbourne. Here we found Shazza’s café and sat outside at tables where we were served after placing orders at the hatch. We took this opportunity to replan the route to avoid Calke Abbey. Suitably sated, the riders returned to the Main Road in Melboune, then took the narrow Penn Lane to get onto the B587. After a short distance we turned right up Robinson Hill, then continued down Beighton’s Hill to the A514....