Wednesday 1st April 2020
Post date: 31-Mar-2020 14:28:10
Solo ride report from David Greenleaf
This is my first solo ride report, and it is not an April Fool’s joke. Honestly.
There was a warmth in the air, although the weather was overcast and less windy than previous days. Still, it was necessary to have some neck insulation, especially when coming downhill from higher altitudes.
From the Outwoods Drive roundabout, I came down Beacon Road and along Beacon Drive to join Lansdowne Drive, and past the Shelthorpe shops. Carrying on along the A6004 cyclepath, I turned right at the A6 roundabout towards Quorn. There was light traffic, but generally moving faster than usual. There were some people out walking and several workmen on the McCarthy and Stone site.
I continued along Farley way, and turned down Huntsmans Close to cross the bridge over the A6. This was a narrow path, so a little awkward not being able to keep 2 metres from walkers; but better to wave and move past quickly.
After passing through Quorn High Street, I turned right onto Fishpool Way, hoping to reach the 5-mile point with a good time. However, there were some dirty white vans parked on the roundabout for Paudy Lane, with hazard lights flashing, and a Lithuanian articulated lorry that could not get past them, reversing up Fishpool Lane. So, I took to the grass to avoid them all – it all looked a bit fishy.
It was a good day for a hill climb, even Paudy Lane. Presently, I was accompanied by an errant “Cynnal Priffyrdd” Highway Maintenance truck. I am sure it was the same one I mentioned driving through fog in my ride report of 22nd January. Maybe, they never made it back to their depot.
After joining the Six Hills Lane, I turned right near the lake towards Ragdale. I stopped by the entrance to the spa for a few minutes and could see quite as long way across the fields generally south. Although, the next few miles were mainly downhill, the tiny village of Ragdale had tight bends and a steep upward incline the other side.
The village of Hoby has a succession of bends, and some men were working on the front of one of the old buildings. Thrussington seemed busy with lots of parked cars. Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake was quiet and I was focussed on the next hill after coming under the A46. At the top of the hill, I stopped again for a few minutes by the turning for Humble Lane. Another cyclist passed down Humble Lane.
I chose the up and down route along the Ratcliffe Road into Sileby. After turning up the High Street, I turned left past the church to cross the Soar Valley along Mountsorrel Lane.
Having turned into Loughborough Road, I soon came across the familiar “Road Closed” signs which we are apt to ignore. I suppose it was a good time to dig the road up through Mountsorrel, and I kept an eye out for flying cones as I cycled through.
I thought the rest of the ride would be plain sailing coming out of Quorn, but the police had closed the A6 roundabout to allow a breakdown truck to get into position. A car was buried in the hedge just at the point we normally ring our bells on the corner with the A6004. How anyone got a car into that position I am at a loss to explain, but it was blocking the path. So, I got off and walked the other way around the roundabout. Here I encountered Howard, on his way out to take advantage of the clear roads.
I was home before 10:30 having ridden 24miles, with an elevation gain of 1043 feet.
Solo ride report, from Howard.
I started from Holt Drive Square a little late at approx 10 to 10, not having to lead and not having a planned route it was a case of deciding which way to go on reaching a junction. This may explain how I ended up descending a farm track into Woodthorpe Village, before joining our more usual route along Epinal Way. On reaching the roundabout at the A6 I joined the main road as the footpath/cycle route was blocked. (see David's report) Going round the roundabout I met David on his way home.
I continued along the new A6, (now almost completely empty) before turning off for Barrow. Then Sileby and onto Seagrave across the A46 (clear) to Thrussington and Rearsby, right to Syston followed by a short ride along the towpath towards Cossington, but turning left to Rothley, followed by Swithland Lane, before turning down Kinchley Lane, past Swithland Reservoir, and onto Woodhouse. Eventually ending up on the old A6 and back to Holt Drive. Arriving back at 10 past 12. Total ride 50k (30 miles) and 340metres (1115 feet) of elevation. The main roads are now available to cyclists which opens up many different routes.
Short Solo Rides from John
I went out both on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday was a cold but sunny morning and I took the track past Mucklin Wood which is still quite muddy with some new laid loose chippings to navigate in places to Woodhouse and then ground my way to the top of the Beacon past the closed car park. It was then left for Warren Hill and a fast descent into Newton Linford and into Bradgate Park. Here I came a across a herd of deer close to the Waterfall (pictures in album). Easily avoiding the few other people traversing the Park, as requested by the authorities, I was back home for lunch.
Wednesday was a bit overcast and I was another to pass the crashed car with air bags inflated at the roundabout north of Quorn. It was then over the Soar to Barrow and then north to Cossington and Stanford on Soar where I was passed by Myles heading south. From there I headed up Leake Lane and wended my way through Brickyard Lane and Hungary Lane to Sutton Bonnington and then south towards Loughborough via Normanton. Just before Fox Hill I was an old friend Malcolm who I used to cycle with in the CTC section more thaa a quarter of a century ago.
Solo ride report (Intermediate ride), from Phil. Feeling very much like Fotherington Thomas, hello flowers hello trees etc, the intermediate ride departed later than normal. The grey weather had catalysed an early morning mutiny and only the very generous offer that the flogging would continue until morale improved, motivated the rider. Travelling along Epinal way, the number of lorries and ambulances was remarkable. Never the less taking advantage of lighter traffic, the ride went straight on at one ash and time trialled down the dual carriageway to the Barrow turn. From there it was right at the roundabout and down to Sileby. Then along to Cossington and turning right passed the rugby ground and climbed up under the A6 bypass into Rothley. Carter and Miller, fondly remembered as a Billy bears was shut obviously and the ride continued into Rothley turning left and then up the hill passing our Christmas lunch venue and then the GCR station. Half a mile later the right turn was taken and at the fork, the left hand branch to Cropston and hall gates car was passed on the left. From there it was up to the junction and along the road to Shepshed up to the upper Beacon hill car park. Turning right here the hill was descended at speed but this did not stop selfish motorists pulling out immediately in front but mindful of incidents last year, a personal best was not sought. Woodhouse was travelled through passed Beaumanor Hall and back to base viz Quorn. Afternoon tea with cake was then taken. Nineteen miles all in and on Strava for those who have the app.
Ride report from Rob Smith The day was overcast and cool, but I thought a bike ride would be a nice change from digging/weightlifting on the allotment. I set out out along Epinal Way, with the Tesco and Aldi roundabouts easily passed due to reduced traffic. I passed the previously mentioned car ingeniously inserted in the hedge, with the ambulance leaving just as I approached. I passed through Quorn, then turned right into Wood Lane for a bit of a climb and continued straight on to Rothley GCR station. Turning right I continued on to Cropston, and then right again carried along past the reservoir as far as the Bradgate Park Hallgate entrance. There was then a leisurely potter through the park, noticing that many more deer than usual were close to the path. It was at this point I realised that I'd forgotten to bring a restorative banana, or even a water bottle. But pressing on heroically I rode through Newtown Linford and forked left onto Ulverscroft Lane at the foot of Sharply Hill. Any thoughts of avoiding hill climbs were soon disabused as I carried on to the junction and turned right onto Priory Lane which Strava tells me I stormed up at 5.9 mph. Where's that pink polka dot jersey? Then along Benscliffe Road and upto the Beacon car park, followed by a fairly tentative descent (although Strava tells me my max speed was 23.5 mph) down to Woodhouse Eaves where I saw Tricia just embarking on the ascent. I then continued through Woodhouse and returned to Loughborough through Mucklin Wood for a welcome pot of tea. Apart from light traffic, I only saw dog walkers, other solitary cyclists and a couple of horse riders. About 19 miles, but seemed further riding solo, arriving home around 11.15, but Strava may be showing a few minutes too long due to my Straval incompetence. https://strava.app.link/Lk0nccebm5
