Wednesday 25th June 2025

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 the junction with the A46. This road was very busy and it took some time before gaps in the traffic allowed the riders to cross.

Nim leading Dom along Park Hill Lane

The descent into Thrussington was glorious and from here the riders turned down the Wreake vally to Ratcliffe and then climbed the last major hill of the day to Humble Lane. Another fast descent brought them into Cossington and The Tea Garden Café for refreshments in the gardens.

Dom, David, Nim, Andrew, Derek, Myles, Clyde, Eric and Rob at the Tea Garden Café

After the consumption of various liquids and cakes, some riders departed for home while the main group returned to Loughborough via Sileby, Mountsorrel and Quorn, arriving back around 12.30.