Wednesday 11th March 2026

Short Ride 1

Report by Andrew

Short version

Jade's, 21 miles, nine riders

Less short version

A glorious spring morning at Holt Drive saw another excellent turn out. Two short rides were on offer and as one was to Jade's (Newton Linford) this rider had an easy decision to cycle to this coffee shop venue.

Ian kindly offered to lead out myself (Andrew), Anne, Betty, Catherine, John, Mick, Steve and Terry while Chris joined us at Jade's following on from an early morning dental appointment.

The route up to Newtown Linford was circuitous*, I can't recall the exact path but I'm fairly sure it involved Quorn, Mountsorrel, Rothley, Cropston Reservoir and Bradgate Park.

The offerings at Jade's were as magnificent as always, I pretty much managed to avoid temptation, so maybe I don't need to get my hands on ozempic medication after all!!

Betty, Chris, Ian, John, Mick, Steve, Andrew, Catherine and Terry outside the Jade Cafe at Newtown Linford

Following on from which I was thinking the route home would be back through Bradgate Park. Sadly not as a left turn saw me discombobulated as we headed up a Warren Hill, which inevitably saw me in my usual rightful position of back-marker.

It was then past Roecliffe Manor, Old Woodhouse and back through Quorn, arriving back in Loughborough following approx 21 miles at around 1230.

There were quite a few pot holes out there, hopefully they will be repaired by the Highway Authority in due course.

There was also some serious hedge cutting, fortunately this didn't result in any punctures today.

*Circuitous - a useful generic term I use regularly when, presumably due to old age, or lack of concentration or both, I can't recall the exact route.

Short Ride 2

Report by John

John offered a short ride to Bawdon Lodge and was joined by Eric, Rob, Derek, Margaret and Dennis.

The riders headed out through the University but found their normal route up Margaret Keay Road blocked by extensive barriers around the building works. After attempting to bypass these, using what appeared to be a pedestrian route which turned out to be a dead end,  the riders had to reverse and descend until they could turn up University Road and take Oakwood Drive up towards Shepshed.

After wending their way through Shepshed the group joined Tickow Lane which took them south to Charley Road.

Rob, Margaret and Derek ascending Charley Road.

Arriving at the Nanpantan cross roads, which were closed to motor traffic, the riders were pleased to be shepherded through by a helpful workman.

Eric, Rob, Derek, Margaret and Dennis at Bawdon Lodge.

After sampling the various delights on offer at Bawdon Lodge, the riders returned to Loughborough via Roecliffe, Swithland, Woodhouse and Quorn, arriving back in Loughborough just after noon.

Intermediate Ride

Report by David

Bryan led a ride to Melbourne Hall, accompanied by David, Keith (2nd) Dave J, Mike, Ged, Laurence and Andy. There was a slight chill in the air early on, but it felt much warmer when the sun came out. A brisk westerly wind was forecast for just about everywhere in the UK, which made this ride a good option for the homeward journey.

We were soon stopped in our tracks when cutting through the University up Margaret Keay Road; hoarding extended across both road and footpath. Bryan led us back to join University Road lower down. We headed for Shepshed and would have taken the Coach Road; but that is closed for some time. So, we carried on with the A512 and took Leicester Road and Cambridge Road to get to the Sustrans route to Belton.

Although the pace was quicker across Carr Lane, we continued at a moderate speed to Osgathorpe, then up the hill to Breedon Lane. Just after crossing Top Brand to dip down past the quarry, there was a horrendous screech of brakes. None of us was involved. We joined the Cloud Trail and rode until David had to stop for a flat front tyre. Fortunately, we were not far from Melbourne and could keep going by pumping the tyre occasionally.

When we reached Melbourne Hall, Ged and Laurence did the repair of the tyre with David’s spares, Laurence’s gas injector and Ged’s front teeth. There was a small half nail embedded in the tyre which was resistant to all other tools at our disposal.

The offending nail.

We then joined the others in the café, where the service was excellent, and we were all sat around a solid rectangular wooden table. Through some mix-up, David ended up with Laurence’s large latte, so agreed to write the ride report as a penance. Dave J polished off crumpets coated in Rarebit – I don’t know how many as I wasn’t in the café when he started. The offending small half nail was photographed on his plate. Meanwhile, conversation flowed on the chemical industry, formula 1, electric cars and Trump – at this point it was time to get back on the road.

The journey home was comparatively uneventful, and went via Wilson, Tonge, Diseworth, Long Whatton and Hathern. The ride returning to Holt Drive was 29.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 1600 feet. Riders would have been home before 1:30 pm.