Wednesday 13th February 2019

Short Ride

John led Ray, Rob, Patrick, Keith (a new rider), Eric, Myles. Norman and Lyn south through Shelthorpe estate, so avoiding the Tesco roundabout and down the old A6 to Mountsorrel where the riders turned left for Sileby.

Unfortunately Ray had stopped to adjust his battery power and didn't see that the group had gone east and carried on south. After waiting a while for Ray to catch up John went back but for obvious reasons failed to find him. A mobile phone call established that Ray was safely ensconced in the Peppercorns cafe. Norman needed to get back early and so left the group at Sileby.

The remaining riders continued south through Cossington and took the cycle path alongside the canal as far as Meadow Lane where they turned to head into Syston and refreshments at the Brookside Cafe. The riders returned via the same route (apart from Eric who headed south to get some more miles in) returning to Loughborough just after noon.

If readers are interested in what a cycling group did in 1938/9 this album may be of interest.

Long Ride.

12 men just and true, well 10 men and 2 ladies, equally just and true no doubt, Anne, Tricia, Graham, Brian, Rob, Howard, Derek, Clyde, Marcus, Jeff all misled by Terry, set off towards Staunton Harold.

Out across the green belt to Epinal Way and along Sandringham Drive, never been that way before, to Garendon Park, hoping it would not the too muddy; some had come on their best bike and only had slick tyres.

On to Belton, for the obligatory photo call, Osgathorpe and Breedon, over the hill to Wilson and Melbourne. 4 riders pulled in here probably hoping this was the coffee stop alas it wasn't to be for another 5 miles yet.

Through Ticknall to the gates of Staunton Harold turning through the gates I was horrified to see the last 1/4 mile was UPHILL having walked this several times I'd have sworn it was down!!!

Tea and coffee were enjoyed at the Ferrers Centre cafe, really must try the garden centre cafe one day.

Which way do we go out? The way we came in initially downhill to the gate and then to Calke adds about 3 miles, or up the short lane to the road very steep even walking; no I opted to go along the lane to the gate at Lount where met a few cars coming in the opposite direction but they all smiled and waved.

Onward between the former mining villages of Thringstone and Whitwick and past St Joe's tea room. At Charley cross roads, half the group went straight on - some towards their respective homes and some no doubt to whizz down Beacon Hill into Woodhouse Eaves. The rest turned left to go down Nanpantan Hill and then we all started to disperse along the route.

Report by Terry. (Photo below and copy to the gallery.)