Wednesday 22nd July 2026

Short Rides

Report by Andrew

Shorter version

Ride 1:- 26 miles
Ride 1a:- 40 miles

Ride 1:- 8 riders
Ride 1a:- 3 riders

Ride 1:- Bryer’s (East Leake)
Ride 1a:- Unknown!

Longer version

July 22nd was a glorious morning, with a lovely temperature, warm but not hot and glorious dappled sunshine.

Where did you go?

Good question!! Eleven of us cycled up through Normanton and West Leake to The Dovecote at Barton in Fabis.

While The Dovecote looked in good order, sadly it was closed today and could be for a while, although it had the tempter of a sign saying opening soon!!

Three riders headed “north”, for a ride totalling 40 miles, while eight “mere mortals” including myself headed on with our 26 miler, back through Gotham and onto our coffee stop at East Leake.

What was your coffee shop?

It was the fantastic Bryer’s in East Leake, I hadn't been there here for ages, but really good to sit out and enjoy the excellent conversation and ambiance. Their refreshment offerings went down an absolute treat!

Ian, Matt, David, Chris, Peter, Myles, Andrew and Max at Bryer’s (East Leake)

Interestingly there are two coffee shops almost opposite Bryer's, obviously the folks of East Leake like their coffee shops!!!! And why not???

What were the roads like?

Opinions on this are tarred by the down hill stretch from The Rehabilitation Centre towards Stanford on Soar.

A real bone shaker of a carriageway, my teeth just about stayed in, but, next time I will take a gum shield!!

When did you get back to Loughborough?

At around 1pm after a splendid morning and early afternoon!!