Wednesday 27th August 2025

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 of new territory each week.) Clara’s is used to cyclists; a group from Long Eaton visit regularly as it is half-way on a 50 mile circuit. We were half-way too, but only on a 20 mile run.

Mike, David, Margaret, Betty and Tim at Clara's in Anstey

Suitably refreshed (and relaxed in the comfy seats) we headed back to Loughborough through Thurcaston, Rothley (passing our intended destination) and back up the old A6 to Woodthorpe roundabout where we parted company around 12:15, with a new tea room under our belts and having avoided the rain.

Short Ride 2

Report by John

With rain forecast around lunch time John offered a short ride with a lot of rough stuff past Mucklin Wood and Rushey Lane to Stonehurst Farm. He was joined by Rob, Eric, Chris, Myles, John, Marcus, Mick and Stuart, while Clyde and Dom decided to make their own way there sticking to the tarmac.

Having navigated past Mucklin Wood to Beaumanor, the riders came upon Tim's group that had taken the road route. After a pause to allow the groups to separate and for some cars to pass, the riders descended School Lane to Brand Lane before turning west along Rushey Lane. The road surface wasn't too bad up until Turvey House Farm, but after that it became a series of holes and gravel that had to be negotiated with care until tarmac was again reached on Kinchley Lane at Swithland Reservoir Dam.

Stuart, Mick, Marcus, Eric, Chris, Myles and Rob by Swithland Reservoir.

After climbing to Swithland Lane, the riders turned right to drop down into Mountsorrel via Halstead Road then heading north to Stonehurst Farm where they were met by Andrew. Refreshments were taken in the farm yard, with Clyde and Dom joining the party a little late.

Rob, Eric, Chris, Myles, John, Marcus, Andrew, Mick and Stuart at Stonehurst Farm.

With dark clouds menacing, the riders took the direct route back into Loughborough, arriving several minutes before noon.