Wednesday 11th December 2019
Post date: 10-Dec-2019 18:09:38
Short Ride, (report by Derek.)
I was tasked with leading the short ride my brief was approx 12 miles and back by noon. With that in mind I decided that Normanton-upon-Soar Village hall would be a good venue for us thrifty cyclists.Nine of us set off on a clear crisp but sunny day taking the green belt cycle path past Mountfields school, crossing over Epinal way and heading into the town centre before the 10am curfew kicked in. We then picked up the grand Union canal tow path at the basin to avoid as much traffic as possible. Leaving the tow path at the Boat Inn, we headed along Meadow Lane and past the Brush. Luckily the flood water had rescinded enough to afford us a dry passage through but the fields were still under water. We headed on until Stanford on Soar where we re-grouped and recovered before ascending Stanford hill. Ray Clay came zooming past up the hill as the rest of us dropped into our granny gear. Once at the top we patted ourselves on the back for a great effort in making it to the top. It was then a sprint downhill to the Village hall. As mentioned earlier our thrifty riders were well pleased when coffee/Tea and cake was on offer for the grand sum of £1:70. As it was a sunny morning we all sat outside swapping stories and enjoying our refreshments. We then carried on through the village heading towards Zouch then picking up the A6 at Hathern and returning back to Loughborough for a 12 noon finish and covering just under 13 miles.
Intermediate Ride (report by David) It was possibly the coldest start we have had, but still clear of frost. Furthermore, we have had several weeks recently when the finest day of the week has been Wednesday.
Following some WhatsApp communications, the choice of rides was known before we gathered at Outwoods Drive roundabout.
The intermediate ride was the last to set off, and there were just five of us remaining once the other rides had made their quick getaways. Terry led out John, David, John and Mike.
At a reasonable pace we took Cross Hill Lane and Hazel Road, Haddon Way, then onto the cycle track by Highland Drive, coming out near Aldi’s onto the A6004. We proceeded to Barrow upon Soar, skirting Quorn. At the roundabout on the hill we went left through the centre of the village, then followed the Nottingham Road and Barrow Road to Burton on the Wolds. Some grass verges had collapsed, perhaps due to the prolonged rain. Mike was feeling unwell, so decided to take a shorter route home.
The four-remaining proceeded to Wymeswold and climbed the Wysall Road then, past the country pong of Thorpe in the Glebe, to Wysall. We then descended along the road to Costock, and were there joined by Dave the Doc heading in the same direction. At the crossroads with the A60, a kind lady in a Mercedes let us all cross ahead of her. On the sunny strait into East Leake, we were overtaken by a younger and more numerous peloton; mercifully they did not stop at Love and Piste. Dave the Doc also continued to East Leake, but we later waved to him as he rode back from East Leake.
At Love and Piste, we dragged our bikes across the stones and Terry managed to bag us the few remaining seats near a selection of books for armchair cyclists. After some great Latte and scones with Bonne Maman jams, we left the books unread, made adjustments to our buffs and continued with our ride.
Actually, as we were about half way through the ride. We carried on through East Leake, West Leake and north of Sutton Bonington along Station Road, turning off at Nottingham Road in Kegworth.
In the centre of Kegworth we went turned right onto the old A6 and then left into High Street. We took another left turn taking us to Whatton Road, then climbed the hill to the bypass. The continuation of Whatton Road, led us out opposite the Falcon pub at Long Whatton.
From here we came through the village, joined the A6 through Hathern, and continued to Loughborough.
We covered 28 miles via many peaceful roads, with only about 3 hills, and were home by 12:45.
Long Ride, (Report by Jeff)Beneath a cold, sunny, blue December sky, Howard pedalled off down Outwoods Drive towards Forest Road. Following in his tyre tracks were Alan, Brian, Eric, Jeff, Marcus and Rob, all psyched up for the long ride to Ticknall in South Derbyshire. They rode through the University and out towards Shepshed by means of the A512 cycleway. By way of Leicester Road, Anson Road and Ticklow Lane, they skirted around Shepshed and headed out along Hallamford Road, then onto the single track lane (NCR6) towards Belton, a village readily pinpointed by its tall church spire, clearly visible on this bright, clear morning. Here they crossed the main road onto Church Street, passing the aforementioned, eponymous landmark before turning right onto Mill Lane to continue all the way to the roundabout adjacent to the A42. They now turned right onto the A453, crossing a bridge and peering down at the ceaseless flow of noisy traffic hammering along the A42 beneath them. At the bottom of the hill they turned left onto Moor Lane to Tonge. Next up was Breedon, with its characteristic church seemingly perched precariously on top of half a hill - the other half having been devoured by the local quarry. They departed Breedon southwards along Ashby Road and took Burney Lane to their right. This narrow thoroughfare presented them with a steady climb for a mile or so up to the B587, whence they made a left and immediate right to descend rapidly toward the southern shores of Staunton Harold Reservoir. Passing swiftly by, they were afforded a brief glance over the calm, shimmering waters before grating sounds of gear changes (or was it crepitus from arthritic knees?) rent the air as they shifted down for the ensuing steep ascent.
They now headed on through Heath End, beyond which they turned right onto Staunton Lane, where the name Ticknall on the junction signpost raised the morale, the omission of any indication of the actual distance notwithstanding. It was thus with coffee and grub now within easy reach that the pace quickened. Except for Eric, alas, who was busy demonstrating that a recent bout of overindulgent festive jollies, with concomitant excessive beer swilling and late nights, is somewhat incompatible with tip-top physical performance. Nevertheless, his commitment to the ride bore testament to the remarkable resilience of the human body. After merging onto Ashby Road, just to the south of Ticknall, they continued northwards to the village, turning right onto the Main Street to arrive at “Scoff & Shop”, the appointed cafe. While coffees, cakes and bacon and black pudding baps were gradually polished off, Eric and Howard educated the others on how a real booze up should be done, with some jaw-dropping anecdotes of their recent alcoholic adventures. The return journey began by continuing along Main Street and turning right onto Melbourne Lane and then right, again, onto Broadstone Lane, heading towards Staunton Harold Reservoir Sailing Club, situated at the northern end of the waters. Here they paused briefly for a photo shoot, with the reservoir supplying an apposite, scenic background. They then rode on to Melbourne via Calke and Ashby Roads, using Penn Lane to duck round the southern edge of the village before slogging up Blackwell Lane to Wilson. Downhill once more returned them to Breedon, whence they retraced the outward route as far as the roundabout by the A42. This time, however, they remained on Gelscoe Lane, heading left at the following T-junction, passing beneath the A42 and on to Diseworth, Long Whatton and Hathern, arriving in Loughborough at about 13.15. Total distance approx. 33 miles (17 out and 16 back). Thanks to Howard for a great ride.