Wednesday 19th August 2026

Short Ride 1

Report by Andrew

A beautiful day warm and sunny without the recent oppressive heat and a fresh feeling following on from the first overnight rain in ages.

Ian kindly offered a 26 miler to Thrussington and was joined by Andrew (myself), Betty, Chris, David, Helen, Keith, Mick, Myles and Peter.

I could do with guidance from the brilliant and ubiquitous travel journalist Simon Calder over our route, but was advised that the outbound section included Barrow, Seagrave, Ragdale and Hoby and the inbound journey was through Cossington, Sileby, Mountsorrel and Quorn.

Ian leading.

The roads were in decent condition, although we were nearly stymied by a road closure near Thrussington.

The Coffee Shop was the excellent Thrussington Tea Rooms and we enjoyed their splendid offerings provisions on the Village Green.

Peter, Keith, Helen, Betty, Mick, Myles, Chris, David and Ian on the Village Green, Thrussington

Usual excellent and eloquent discussions over refreshments including tennis, padel, forthcoming trips and recent holidays.

Back to Loughborough at around 1pm following an excellent trip out!!

Short Ride 2

Report by John

Following the recent heatwave, a fresh cloudy morning with the threat of rain produced a good turnout with 4 rides departing Holt Drive.

After the other three rides had departed, just Rob, Dennis, John & Derek remained for a ride to the Community shop at Normanton on Soar.

The group departed through the University, climbing to Shepshed and wending their way to Tickow Lane where they turned right, taking them to the descent down Hallamford Road and onto Carr Lane to Belton. Here they joined Ashby Road and headed west to Grace Dieu Lane, following the cycle route along Church Lane to Osgathorpe.

Dennis followed by Rob

From there they continued along the cycle route, up Breedon Lane to Top Brand, where they left the route, and headed north to the A42 roundabout, where a turn to the east was made down Gelscoe Lane and on to Diseworth. The riders continued downwind through Long Whatton and negotiated the A6 onto Zouch Road, which took them over the new bridge across the Soar, then on through Zouch, before turning south down Moor Lane to refreshments in Normanton.

Rob, Dennis, John and Derek at the Community Shop in Normanton on Soar.

After dallying, sitting in the sunshine for a while, the riders returned to Loughborough over Fox Hill, arriving back just after 12pm.