Wednesday 15th May

Short ride –

On what was perhaps the warmest day of the year so far in Loughborough (although topped by our friends in Scotland who evidently can generate climate changing heat on their ride) riders gathered at Outwoods Road. It was my first time as leader, so was encouraged to see I had a band of 10 cyclists. There were Patrick, Clyde, Ann, Myles, Peter, Ken, Rob, Rob, Marcus and me. I had relied upon Google and my local knowledge of roads to prepare the route, including a printout to avoid the Dobby-like software from “helpfully” providing a better route mid-ride.

At first, it seemed like I was on my own out in front. My following band were enjoying their ride and not in a hurry to get anywhere yet. When we were in Quorn, I was stumped by the apparent multiplicity of Huntsman’s Closes when trying to find the bridge over the A6. The riders fanned out to scout a route, and we managed to get there soon in reverse order of cyclists. We followed on through Barrow.

At a summit point on Paudy Lane we took a breather, but nobody produced a camera and I am bad at photography; so, you’ll have to take my word for it that we reached that point.

Our destination was the Race Hub at Six Hills. It was pleasantly uncrowded, and we sat outside by the lake watching someone in a large waterborne vessel clearing blanket weed out of the lake so people could swim in it. The coffee and cakes were lovely, but we had no takers for the swim.

Three of us had afternoon appointments, so took a quick route back. The seven of us went back via Narrow Lane, Wymeswold, and I am indebted to Patrick for guiding us away from the treacherous A60.

Maybe, I can now justify getting a Garmin. David G

Long Ride Report -

A lovely, warm, sunny morning witnessed quite a sizeable turnout considering many stalwarts were away on more challenging exploits, or, simply, on holiday. Now, it’s sometimes the case that when the call goes out for those wishing to partake of the long ride, there’s a tendency for some to cast their gaze downward, suffer temporary hearing loss or suddenly to begin examining their bike, giving it more than the necessary amount of pre-ride inspection. Today was no exception as only three volunteered for the long ride to The Old Wharf Tearooms in Hickling.

So, Pat, Trish and Jeff made their way through town via Forest Road, Wood Gate, Pinfold Gate and Sparrow Hill to exit Loughborough along Meadow Lane. Through Stanford on Soar they climbed up Leake Lane turning right onto the A6006, to Rempstone. Continuing straight over the A60 at the traffic lights they took a left onto Wysall Road, exchanging the busy, noisy, fast A-class road for a deserted, peaceful single track road, though adorned with a rough surface and many potholes. Passing through Wysall they continued, upwards to Keyworth and onwards to Plumtree. Shortly after passing beneath the erstwhile Melton to Nottingham railway line (now used as a test track), they turned right onto Church Hill, towards Cotgrave.

After a good spell on the very busy Cotgrave Road it was a relief to arrive in Cotgrave and turn right onto Scrimshire Lane, leading to Owthorpe. However, the relief was soon tempered by the sight of the enormous, steep hill looming up before them, inexorably positioned to delay progress beyond Cotgrave. Crossing over the A46 the road eventually dives towards Owthorpe, whence they turned right onto Kinoulton Lane, another very quiet, scenic single track road, again with the customary lousy surface. Crossing the Cotgrave to Kinoulton section of the sleepy Grantham Canal, they merged onto Hickling Lane, passing the Nevile Arms at Kinoulton and on to the Canal Basin at Hickling, location of The Old Wharf Tearooms, the proposed refreshments stop.

Here the sun beat down while swans and ducks dozed on the newly trimmed grass by the sparkling water’s edge. Thus far the route presented one or two hills but nothing overly challenging until, that is, the arrival of the mountainous cakes. Each humongous slice probably contains enough calories to fuel the ride a dozen times over. With refreshments devoured it was time to make a start on the return journey. Setting off towards Nether Broughton, where they wove through the village lanes, including a few yards on the A606, they picked up the road to Old Dalby. Climbing steeply at the end of Old Dalby to Lawn Lane, they made for Six Hills. Saying farewell to Pat, who headed home to Wymeswold, the remaining two took Paudy Lane to Barrow on Soar and onwards home.