Long Ride

Report by Graham

Ride reports are a bit of a rarity these days, only JC faithfully produces a report week after week.

But, having bumped into Brian and Lorraine Jones at Quorn beer festival the preceding weekend, Lorraine mentioned how she missed reading the ride reports, so this one's for you Lorraine.

Also threatened seems to be the concept of the long ride. It's been weeks, if not months, since I was last out on a Wednesday, so I expected my long ride to the Cow Shed would be massively popular. As John announced the 40 mile ride, there was a perceptible wave of riders looking at the floor and shuffling away from my allotted corner of Holt Square.

Only Ged and David J came forward, eventually to be joined by the luckless Mick, who, having arrived late, had missed all the normal rides so was press-ganged into joining us. I'd already arranged to pick up Robert S at Hathern, so the 5 of us threaded northwards, through Long Whatton to the bypass, down past Amazon, out through Lockington and on to Netherfield Lane. The concrete bollards which used to block the bottom end have been completely moved aside, to make way for construction traffic, there are massive works now to the east of the lane, probably yet another logistics park.

We continued north through Sawley, Breaston and Risley, before the long climb up No Man's Lane, where we paused at the top for Mick to show us the superb view south across Leics, and to persuade Ged that we could see his house.

The Cowshed is at the end of No Man's Lane. It's a lovely spot, but fair to say it's at the expensive end of the LWC price range. Even so bacon cobs and scones were variously consumed while we watched Mick wrestle with his posh tea pot and strainer and he regaled us with tales from the distant past.

Ged, Mike, David and Robert

We returned through Stanton by Dale and then picked up the Erewash canal which took us traffic free all the way to Trent Lock and familiar territory, then past Sawley Marina, down to Sutton Bonington. Robert peeled off at Zouch whilst the remaining 4 continued over Fox Hill to Loughborough before going our separate ways. Loughborough to Loughborough was about 40 miles, only 2 climbs, and a flat return leg. Next time I'll offer a 5 miler...

Short Ride

Report by John

The forecast had been for sunny periods, but these did not put in much of an appearance, but another excellent turnout needed 5 rides to keep the group sizes down.

John was joined by David, Ian, Myles, Dom, Andrew, Clyde and Mick for a meandering ride to the Community Shop at Normanton on Soar.

The group set out through Loughborough, departing via Meadow Lane and over Fox Hill, passing through Normanton.

David and Ian ahead of Mick on Stanford Road

From this point on road closure signs became a regular feature of the ride. The bridge over the railway that takes the A6006 is being rebuilt and many local lanes have been closed to through traffic to prevent rat running. This is a blessing for cyclists and pedestrians as it results in quiet and hazard free lanes. These can be enjoyed until July when the work should have been completed.

The riders carried on north, passing through Kingston before turning south down West Leak Lane (the first closed road to be traversed).

Dom followed by Mick and Ian negotiating the barrier at the bottom of West Leake Lane

From West Leake they took Brickyard Lane (another closed road) to Travell's Hill which they climbed to a quiet A6006 before descending Butt Lane (also closed) to refreshments in Normanton.