Wednesday 26th June 2019

A somewhat damp, drab, cool morning greeted an enthusiastic bunch of cyclists gathered at Outwoods Drive. However, despite the crappy looking weather, the lure of the March House Farm Cafe at Great Dalby was sufficient to entice 7 ‘volunteers’ for the long ride. So, Brian, David, Eric, Jeff, Terry, Tricia and Vic ventured south along Epinal Way to Quorn, then taking Barrow Road to pass through Barrow on Soar and out onto Melton Road. Striking up along Paudy Lane they turned right at Big Lane crossroads towards Seagrave. Bowling along this stretch of lumpy landscape and over the very busy A46 soon delivered them to Thrussington. Continuing left along Hoby Road and turning right onto Mill Lane, just before the village, they made for Brooksby. From Brooksby, they turned towards Rotherby, clattering stridently over a cattle grid and onto Main Street, which starts as a sliver of tarmac rolled across the middle of a field. Here they were confronted by a large herd of large bulls, no doubt roused into a bad mood by the aforementioned cacophonous cattle grid. While these bovine brutes were busy ruminating whether to grant 7 cyclists safe passage, the intrepid riders managed to slink past enduring nothing worse than the odd surly glare. Safely in Rotherby, they turned right onto Gaddesby Lane. Here amongst the gently rolling Leicestershire countryside the narrow road descends and rises once more before reaching Gaddesby where they turned left onto Pasture Lane. On reaching the crossroads with Ashby Folville Road they took a left to Great Dalby. Welcomed and seated inside the March House Farm Tearooms, a popular destination for mums and toddlers, they soon availed themselves of the efficient waitress service. Conversation flowed steadily as refreshments were consumed and all too soon it was time to contemplate the return journey. Back on the road they retraced their route as far as the village and then headed out along Melton Lane to Burrough on the Hill, the route culminating in a very steep climb onto Twyford Road. Turning right, the ensuing lengthy descent took them rapidly through the small locality of John O’ Gaunt, apparently named after its (long since disused) railway station which, in turn, derived its name from a nearby fox covert. From Twyford they exited along Ashby Road and were soon sauntering through the picturesque, quintessentially English village of Ashby Folville. Continuing through Gaddesby, Rearsby and East Goscote they hauled themselves up through Ratcliffe on the Wreake to Humble Lane. Saying farewell to Vic in Cossington, Eric in Sileby and Tricia in Quorn, the remaining 4 made for Loughborough.

Short Ride ReportAfter the departure of Jeff's mob John, Lyn, Patrick and Keith found themselves in a small select group and decided to head north east into the drizzle, passing through the Market Place and out to Cotes then through Burton, Wymeswold and Wysall before arriving at the Love and Piste Coffee Corner just outside East Leake. After an excellent repast the riders returned to Loughborough via Meadow Lane.