Wednesday 1st April 2026

Short Ride

Report by John

An overcast morning produced a strong turnout with 4 groups departing before John set off with Dom, David, John N., Clyde, Marcus, Dennis, Dave, Eric and Sandy (a new rider) on what is probably our flattest ride to Syston.

The riders set out via Cross Lane and Shelthorpe and continued south through Quorn and Mountsorrel where they turned east to cross the Soar to Sileby. The road to Cossington was blocked to motor traffic so the riders enjoyed a quiet road until the joined the cycle track taking them to the Grand Union Canal.

David on Meadow Lane

Turning off at Meadow Lane the riders wended their way to the Duck and Willow Cafe on Brookside.

Dom, David, John N., Clyde, Marcus, Dennis, Dave and Sandy

After refreshment the group returned whence it had come with riders dropping off as they neared their homes. At the end just Marcus and John remained, arriving in Loughborough just after noon.

Intermediate Ride

Report by Andrew

Short version:-

Nine riders, Normanton, 22 miles

Less short version:-

The first meteorological Wednesday of the year saw a bright but chilly morning and another excellent turn out at Holt Drive.

Ian kindly offered to lead a ride out to Normanton Community centre, an offer too good to turn down especially as he has a phenomenal knowledge of all the roads in this (and other) vicinities.

We welcomed Peter from Quorn to his first ride with the group, although a few of us already knew him from Charnwood Tennis Club.

We headed out through The Meadows and through Stanford on Soar up the hill past The Old School House and on towards Prestwold Hall.

Then we passed through the edge of East Leake, West Leake and Nottingham University in Sutton Bonnington on the way to the much anticipated refreshment stop.

Network Rail are busy in the area and I think I witnessed four different sets of their ongoing long term works and Traffic Management.

I also noted quite a few pot holes en route and the road up from towards Prestwold Hall is wearing away and needs a resurfacing scheme.

The refreshments at Normanton were typically excellent, I noticed that the adjacent hall was being prepared for the Speed Awareness Workshop for naughty boys and girls caught speeding.

L to R. ..  Ian, Helen, Betty, Chris, Mick, Peter, Myles and Stuart at Normanton on Soar Community Shop

It was then back home the usual way and some more frustrating roadworks on the road between Normanton and Stanford on Soar, with three way temporary traffic lights.

Got back home about 1230 after 22 miles and an excellent morning!!