Wednesday 18th September 2019

As it was such a beautiful morning it was decided to be a bit more ambitious than usual and head out north to the Garden Centre at Bradmore. Rob, John, Phil, Lyn, Rosalind, Myles, Anne, Paul and Gill proceeded through the Market Place (before the bewitching hour 10am) and out along the A60 to Hoton where the right turn was taken to Wymeswold. The group then headed further north into the Wolds to Wysall before taking the steep decent into the Soar Valley towards Bradmore (riders being warned or pot holes near the bottom that are often camoflaged in the shade). Riders claimed their 10% discount for arriving under their own power and enjoyed an excellent repast with John giving way to temptation and sampling the bread and butter pudding. The return journey was by way of Bunny and East Leake with riders getting back to Loughborough around 12.30.

Long Ride (Report by David)

Today, we were a variety of colours. The most popular colour, blue, could have reflected the sudden dive in morning temperature; but the day was to warm up before we were half way round the ride. Eight of us took the opportunity to follow Howard on a magical mystery tour to Love and Peace, actually “Love and Piste” in East Leake - this refuge for cyclists is under the local flight path, so not always peaceful. Jeff, Keith, Rob, Robert, Pat, David, Isobel and Howard were the privileged participants of this “long” ride that appeared to be shorter than usual.

The route out of Loughborough went along Canal bank, then followed the canal towpath to Meadow Lane. Following the road out to Stanford while watching out for the numerous potholes, we climbed Fox Hill and sped down the angular road into Normanton on Soar. Proceeding through to the A6006, we crossed to the road for Sutton Bonington. Before that village is a turning into Hungary Lane, which is a steady climb to Trowell Lane. After a short stint towards West Leake, we turned right into Brickyard Lane. The road signs for the gritting were still there, weeks after our previous cruise along this tree-lined lane. As we made for East Leake, a cyclist from another affiliation overtook us. Not to be outdone, Howard tailed him all the way to East Leake and we were not really far behind. On the way out of East Leake towards Costock, we stopped for early refreshment at the aforementioned refuge. We sat out the back with our bikes hanging from a swing-like construction and were served a variety of mind-enhancing beverages. This prompted us to ask if there was more to this long ride than Howard was letting on? We were almost in Pat’s neck of the woods, and she had some ideas as to where we could extend the second leg. So, we followed Pat’s lead. We set off through Costock to Wysall, past the familiar dented yellow bikes from last year’s Tour of Britain. The hilly road to Keyworth provided an opportunity for Isabelle to claim “Queen of the Mountains” position. Proceeding along Selby Lane, and towards Widmerpool, we passed opulent country piles, one of which was for sale. Don’t ask. Turning through Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, we headed downhill to Wymeswold, where Pat and Robert left us for their respective homes. For the rest of us, the route home went along Burton Lane, via Burton-on-the-Wolds and Prestwold Lane, then avoiding Cotes by taking the Stanford Lane and coming back along Meadow Lane. We should all have been home a little after 1 pm, unless diverted in town. Distance:50 plus km, Elev Gain:approx 380 m.