Wednesday 5th November 2025

Intermediate ride to Café Blue at Sawley Marina

Report by David

On an exceptionally mild day for November, with no rain, Howard led a ride to Sawley Marina, accompanied by Dave Smith, Rob Smith, Catherine, Marcus, Max, Bryan and David.

We headed for Emmanuel Way. Dave’s bike suddenly went into self-destruct, flinging the rear axle out as he crossed Moorhen Way, causing the rear wheel to screech out of alignment. Fortunately, he was able to put it back and fasten it, allowing him to continue.

We turned up to William Street, then Burleigh Road, Chestnut Street and across the Ashby Road to Broad Street. Taking Bridge Street and Toothill Road, we left Loughborough on Meadow Lane. The eight of us passed through Stanford on Soar and climbed Fox Hill to get to Normanton on Soar. At the end of the winding road, we crossed the A6006 for Sutton Bonington.

Helped by the tail wind, Marle Pitt Hill did not seem so steep. After gathering at the top, our route took us along College Road, Station Road and through Kingston on Soar. From under the railway bridge, we went right along Kegworth Road to Ratcliffe on Soar. Here, we turned left and right onto Loverose Way, which follows the River Soar under the A453. Once the other side, some of us took the zigzag path to the higher road, while other took the hairpin trajectory, which turned out to be just as quick. A short curving track led us onto the path alongside the A453, where we contended with the wind and traffic noise until turning off the track leading to Ratcliffe Lane. Today, this was quiet, taking us to Warren Lane, then past lakes and under a railway track to where the lane skirts Sawley Marina. Having traversed this lane, we were at the entrance to Sawley Marina, and continued to Café Blue.

It was a fine day for sitting outdoors, and there was a varied choice of food and drink. However, those having breakfast had to wait; so, we were 45 minutes enjoying the autumn sunshine.

Max, Howard, Catherine, Bryan, David and Rob

After exiting the Marina and Warren Lane, we continued Southwest on the Tamworth Road. Bryan took another route from the café.

A motorist crazily overtook us and almost collided head on with a bus.

Soon afterwards, we turned left down Netherfield Lane. This used to be overgrown and deserted; but now it is in the midst of construction sites and with large earth moving plant parked on the deeply uneven surface. This was tricky to navigate as we were riding into the sun. As we got near to the A50, we came upon the “wiggly track”. This is the cleverly designed route for cyclists to navigate through the junction of the A50 with the M1. If we were in cars, this would also include junctions with the A453 and A6. This is all finessed however, provided the left turn option is taken at each juncture. That way, we ended up on the old A6 just outside Kegworth.

As we approached Kegworth, we forked left onto Side Ley, then went right onto Nottingham Road, to climb by the church back onto the old A6. There was another short climb before we got to where the Kegworth bypass ends. The A6 ride was then into the wind, but was otherwise a fairly quick ride back, taking the cycle path. We arrived back into Loughborough, negotiating the big puddle by the Rugby ground to get onto Blackbrook Way, and went our separate ways. Most of us will have been home before 1 pm.

The ride back to Holt Drive was 25 miles, give or take a half dozen laps of the quadrangle to make up the distance. Thanks to Howard for an interesting route and a pleasant coffee stop.

Short Ride

Report by John

John offered a short ride to Syston (although at one point he may have announced Sileby) and was joined by Rob, Mike, Dennis, Chris, Eric, Myles, Andrew and Mick.

The group set out through Shelthorpe towards Quorn and turning east to Barrow as they had been warned of delays in Mountsorrel. Having crossed the Soar the riders headed south through Sileby and at Cossington joined the track down to the Grand Union Canal which they followed to Meadow Lane. Here again they turned east over the A46 and under two railway lines to arrive at the Duck and Willow Cafe.

Myles leading Dennis and Andrew beside the Grand Union Canal.

As it was a mild day and the cafe was fairly full, the riders extract tables and chairs from where they were stored and enjoyed refreshments in the sunshine.

Rob, Mike, Dennis, Chris, Eric, Myles, Andrew and Mick.

Having returned the table and chairs from whence they came the riders return along the same route except in Sileby they took the road to Mountsorrel. The riders arrived back in Loughborough shortly after noon.