Wednesday 20th February 2019

Long ride report:

The Long ride once again saw the fellowship of 9 head off bound for their "Roots". Up Beacon road we went with the wind in our hair (well the wind in Howard's hair, who was of course leading the merry band). Followed by Terry, Derek, Brian, Trish, Pat, David, Eric and Alan.

Terry decided that the "New Aldi" roundabout is now so hazardous to negotiate he would take us on a grand tour of Shelthorpe in order to avoid it. Sadly what we did not avoid was some hazard in the road that set off Dereks skinny tyre hissing like a boiling kettle on the stove. 8 people stared at Derek as if it was not the tyre that was the offending source of the escape of air. However it soon became clear that roadside repairs where required. This is where the experience of leadership comes in and Howard contemplated whether, to have 8 other people standing about getting cold and giving unhelpful advice on how to change a skinny tyre tube, or muttering darkly about the wisdom of skinny tyres through the junkyard roads in and around Loughborough. Alternatively leaving Derek to it! The compromise position was of course found and the fellowship was broken long before the Mines of Moria and seven set off leaving Big Dez with Eric the Hobbit. Eric was left as the only one Howard thought could find his way through such dangerous country on the way to Barkby Thorpe, especially through the wilds of Sileby.

Off they went again up the A6 through Quorn, Mountsorrel, turning right and over the canal by the Waterside pub and onto Mountsorrel lane to Sileby. Turning right at St. Mary's through Sileby and into Cossington. Turning right at Platts lane crossing Syston road and onto the cycle way that leads past the fishing lakes to the Wreake and the canal. At Meadow lane they turned left and followed the paths by Barkby Brook and the Memorial park into Syston. They stopped briefly beside Brook Cafe (a favourite haunt of Loughborough Wednesday cyclists) and just as they set off again, a large man on skinny tyres accompanied by a Hobbit on a boneshaker whizzed past them..... Yes the intrepid duo Derek and Eric had braved the wilds on their own and caught them up, whilst at the same time organising the logistics, accommodation and financing for the Caledonia Way trip. They are, frankly, either quite remarkable people or remarkable self publicists!

Through Syston Town centre the reunited group came, negotiating "the magic roundabout" without incident and turning right up Barkby road and at the T junction turning left and then shortly right at Ridgemere Lane. A steady climb through lovely countryside in fantastic weather and they arrived in South Croxton. Turning right we headed out on Croxton road and up a steeper hill. At the top Howard wanted the obligatory photograph to prove we had been there and nearly left out an unusually straggling Pat. Down to Beeby we went and turned right towards Barkby where fortunately we had just missed a DPD van that seemed to have wrapped itself round an inconveniently placed tree! in Barkby we turned left up Thorpe lane and climbed up a short distance then left again into Hamilton Lane. There before us was Roots cafe and farm. In we piled demanding tea, coffee, cakes, scones and generally causing havoc with the haphazard ordering to a confused staff. However it all came promptly and was most welcome. Roots cafe (a first visit for many) was lovely, staff friendly and open on Mondays (splinter group note .... Terry!!)

Back in the saddle down through Barkby and on to Queniborough. Out of Quenny on Rearsby road . Note the nasty A607 roundabout can be avoided via the underpass and on to East Goscote. We lost Alan here as he was to do his Good Samaritan duties and visited a sick friend. Turning left down Broome lane over the railway crossing and past Beadles lake golf course. Over the Wreake and past the Mill up the steep hill to Ratcliffe. Back down and under the A 46 and and up the hill again to Sileby. Howard and Terry carried straight on at the top and the rest inexplicably followed Eric down Humble lane to Cossington. Turning right at the end of Bennetts lane they lost the Hobbit they unwisely followed in Sileby and rode home through Barrow in a fractured fellowship.

Till our next adventure next week enjoy the unseasonal weather and happy biking.

Shorter Ride

John led Rob, Clyde, Myles, Phil, Gill, Marcus, Patrick, Paul & Lyn south past Mucklin Wood and through Swithland and Rothley to join the cycle path alongside the A6 to the A49 junction. The group then tried out the new cycle track across the new bridge from the housing estate on the west side of the A6 that will enable young students to access the Cedars Academy more easily and safely on foot or by cycle.

The riders then headed for the Methodist Church Hall in BIrstall, which provides excellent value refreshments, and eliminated most of its stock of scones and cakes. Phil, apprehensive of an afternoon trial by dentist, headed back after refreshment while the rest to the group proceeded home via Watemead Park and Cossington, arriving back in Loughborough just after noon.