Wednesday 18th February 2026

Short Ride

Report by David

David G led a short ride to St Joseph’s tearooms, accompanied by Keith, Dave J, Laurence, Marcus, Tim and Rob Smith. The weather was dry but cold, and winds became evident at the highest points.

We rode through Loughborough to Meadow Lane, which had some remaining flood water for us to clean our tyres. We continued through Stanford and over Fox Hill to Normanton. The A6006 above Sutton Bonington. Bridgeworks are ongoing at Zouch, and the way through was clear, but road closure starts in about 10 days. We joined the A6 and took the right turn in Hathern for Shepshed. Here, we went up Lansdowne Road to join Oakley Road for Tickow Lane. Crossing the Ashby Road was perilous, but we all made it to continue up Charley Road. Some of us went right up Abbey Road, which is fairly steep, while others took the 2 other sides of the triangle via Oaks in Charnwood. A few minutes later we all met at St Joseph’s tearooms, where a table was found indoors despite it being busy. The brownies were quite hard, but no teeth were broken. Scones had generous portions of cream. Staff were on hand to take a photo.

Rob, David G., Keith, Tim, Laurence, Marcus and David J. at the Monastery Tea Rooms

Coming back, Marcus returned by a different route. For the rest of us, there was another road closure at the crossroads by Bawdon Lodge, but were escorted through by workmen. The other ride, led by Terry, was just emerging from Bawdon Lodge as we passed. We went left on Beacon Road and carried on down to the Quorn crossroads.

At Woodhouse, the other ride caught up, so the entire group that set off from Holt Drive was combined for the journey home. David’s ride was 21.4 miles, which was ridden at 11 mph and gaining an altitude of 1486 feet. We will all have been home by 12:40.