Short Ride Report by John A beautiful summer's day produced an excellent turnout and this week the short ride proved very popular and several riders had to be persuaded to join another ride to keep to a reasonable number. Large groups can be problematic on the road and overwhelm some of the refreshment stops. John was joined by Dom, David, Nim, Andrew, Derek, Myles, Clyde, Eric and Rob for a ride to East Goscote Nurseries at Cossington. The group set out through Loughborough heading out to Stanford on Soar via Meadow Lane. Here they turned south-east down Stanford Lane to Cotes, crossing the A60 and taking Bandalls Lane towards Walton. By-passing Walton on the Wolds, using New Lane, the riders climbed Black Lane to Paudy Cross Road and continued the rollercoaster ride along Big Lane to Seagrave. The steep climb up Park Hill took them past the relatively new Leicester City FC Performance Centre, which in the past would have been referred to as the training ground, and onto ...

Short Ride Report by John A warm early summer morning produced a good turnout, with 4 rides leaving Holt Drive. John offered a ride to the Cafe at Beacon Hill Country Park (Lower Car Park) off Breakback Road at Woodhouse Eaves. He was joined by David, Nim, Andrew Myles, Chris, Elaine and Helen. The riders departed Loughborough via the University and Garendon Park, wending their way around Shepshed to arrive on Tickow Lane and find notices saying the road was closed. However the riders pressed on, and the work men cutting back some trees let the group through. They then faced a delay at the Ashby Road junction where a four way traffic light system was in operation. Helen on Deans Lane The group then ascended Charley Road to Beacon Road, descending past Black Hill Farm to Shepshed Road, which again had a road closed sign. This meant that the riders enjoyed and almost traffic free descent to the bottom of Deans Lane, which they then climbed before enjoying a fast freewheel down to Br...

Short Ride to Birstall Report by John After the other three groups had left, John remained with David, Elaine and Duncan for a ride to Birstall. The riders departed Loughborough past Mucklin Wood and the now closed Beaumanor Hall, following the problems with an insecure chimney. They then headed for Swithland and onto Rothley before climbing to the A46 junction, then taking the bridge over the A6 to Wanlip (taking care not to skid on the gravel of the eroded cycle track). Arriving at the Methodist Church, they found that Patrick and Laurie (who have ridden with us in the past) has just arrived and we all sat around one table to enjoy the very reasonable priced fare (£2 for a pot of tea and a piece of fruit cake). The group returned via Watermead Park and took the path alongside the Grand Union canal, which at one point appeared to be blocked by cattle cooling off in the water. The final leg home was via Sileby, Mountsorrel and Quorn, arriving back just after noon. Short Ride ...

Short Ride Report by John A cool but largely sunny early summer morning produced an excellent turnout at Holt Drive, but once the other three rides had departed John was left with just David, Rob and Nim for a short ride to the Farm Shop in Long Whatton. The group set out through the University, wound their way to Coe Avenue and took the track across Garendon to Shepshed from where they took Carr Lane to Belton. They then followed the cycle route through Osgathorpe and up Breedon Lane to Top Brand. As most of the riders had not seen Cloud Hill Quarry (perhaps it should now be Cloud Hole) the riders descended the cycle track to the viewing platform and the statues. Rob, Nim and Dave on Top Brand Returning to Top Brand, the riders headed north to Gelscoe Lane and then Diseworth from where they had an easy down wind ride to Long Whatton. Since there was only seating for 4 at the farm shop, the low take up proved to be fortuitous. After refreshment the riders returned to Loughborough ...