Short Ride 1 Report by Tim A brief ride report from my first attempt at ride leading. On a bright, warm morning with a south-westerly breeze, but with the threat of rain around lunchtime, David. Betty, Margaret and Mick, led by Tim, set out with the intention of going to Daisy's Tearoom at Brooklea Garden Centre by a slightly roundabout route. We headed down to the Farley Way lights then took the Woodhouse road, where we encountered our first traffic control (old-fashioned stop/go signs on an uphill bend!). Brand Lane, then past Swithland Wood and the slow climb up Warren Hill gave us an easy descent down Sharpley Hill (or is it Sharply Hill?) into Newton Linford with the headwind acting as a useful brake. We resisted the tearooms there and headed on to Anstey. When we stopped there to regroup Mick suggested we try Clara’s tearoom on Link Road ; no-one in the group had been there before. (It also gave me a short stretch of road that I had never cycled on before; I like a bit ...

Short Ride Report by John It hadn't been forecast, but a heavy drizzle was coming down as the riders gathered at Holt Drive, resulting in capes and other waterproofs being extracted from the bottom of panniers after the long dry summer. Despite the early autumnal feel of the weather there was an excellent turnout, so that even after three rides had left, seventeen riders remained. Eric kindly agreed to lead a short ride and John led a short ride to Six Hills, accompanied by Andrew, Mick, Myles, John N., Helen, Max and Chris. The group headed out through Shelthorpe and on to the outskirts of Quorn, negotiating the recently laid gravel on the old A6. By this time the drizzle had almost disappeared and after negotiating the bridge over the bypass, the riders had a short stop to remove waterproofs before processing to Barrow. Andrew, Mick, Myles, John, Helen, Max and Chris on the Saltway. Having negotiated the roundabout in Barrow, the riders climbed up onto the Saltway and had an...

Short Ride Report by John A warm and sunny summer's day produced a good turnout with 4 rides departing Holt Drive. John offered a ride to East Goscote Garden Centre in Cossington and was joined by Andrew, Derek, Helen, Marcus, Mick, David and Myles. The riders departed Loughborough via the track alongside Mucklin Wood to Beaumanor and then climbed to Woodhouse Eaves. From there they climbed Maplewell Road to Joe Moores Lane where they turned left for a fast descent to Roecliffe. After a brief incline to join Roecliffe Road, the group continued descending to Cropston Reservoir, following Reservoir Road to Cropston.  John leading Mick along Reservoir Road (photo by Andrew) David leading Mick, Myles, Derek and Marcus along the Ridgeway Here they turned left through the village and onto Rothley, where they took the quieter route past Rothley Primary School via Saxon Drive to Loughborough Road. From here they descended across the Soar, joining Syston Road to arrive at that Garden C...

Short Ride Report by John A beautiful sunny summer's day produced an excellent turnout at Holt Drive with 5 different rides setting out. John offered a ride to Bawdon Lodge and was joined by Derek, Rob, Andrew, Helen, Chris and Myles. The riders headed out through the University exiting Loughborough at Coe Avenue to cross Garendon Park and join Tickow Lane. This led them onto Charley Road where they encounted the ride, led by Vic, coming the other way. Helen and Andrew on Charley Road Arriving at Bawdon Lodge it was decided to take refreshment in the field and enjoy the sunshine. Derek, Rob, Andrew, Helen, John, Chris and Myles at Bawdon Lodge. The riders returned to Loughborough via Roecliffe, Woodhouse and Quorn, arriving back just before noon.