Wednesday 27th March 2019
Post date: 26-Mar-2019 09:47:50
Following a forecast of sunshine, riders were a little disappointed when the weather turned out to be mild but overcast. However there was another good turnout with the group splitting into 3 rides.
Short Ride
As it had been dry for the last few days it was decided to venture across Garendon Park and John led Myles, David, Paul, Ken, Ann & Lyn oth through the University. The group then followed Sustrans Route 6 to Belton and then on through Osgathorpe and onto Breedon Lane which took them up to Top Brand. From here they headed north to Diseworth and then onto Long Whatton where they found Ray awaiting them at the Village Store where refreshments were consumed outside. Derek also joined them before the riders remounted to return to Loughborough via Hathern.
The Long ride, (Report by Eric)
The long ride leadership issue had been dealt with in a Monday night clubhouse meeting. It didn’t take long to decide that the experiment had failed and Graham (normally used to guiding children in the art of cycling) would take temporary control. However after further discussion in an extraordinary general meeting it was concluded that only the reinstatement of a senior figure could have the necessary restorative affect on such a fractured group. So it was that the long ride met at Outwoods Drive and set off early to avoid awkward conversation with the guilty party of the week before. However the group had not reached Epinal Way when he caught them up aided and abetted by an unsuspecting Philip. And so it was that 8 souls set off for Lock House Tea Rooms led by the ever reliable Howard. Following were Alan, Pat, Trish, Brian, Keith, Phil and ....Eric.
Out through Normanton with Phil trying desperately to break his Strava segment record and through Sutton Bonnington and Kingston on Soar and Ratcliffe on soar. In Sutton Bonnington the front riders were nearly wiped out by a white van man in a desperate hurry driving on the wrong side of the road. A nervous joke went round the Howard had hired the driver to put paid to last week's leader once and for all in case of any outside chance of a comeback.
The foolish were fooled into thinking that we were headed for Redhill Marina and a Morrison’s instant coffee, but the the wiley wizard knows all the reels and ducked up and under Remembrance Way and then back up onto the cycle track that runs along side it. Unpleasant though it was for half a mile seemingly to be running at the oncoming traffic we soon dived down to the right and off it again. And so onto Long lane that leads to Ratcliffe lane. At the Quarries we came to a T junction and turned right down Warren Lane. We followed that until we came to the B6540 and turned up a path that runs along side it to Sawley Marina. Turning off right down the canal tow path we passed the highly recommended Micro Pub, The Lockeeper’s Rest. And down to “Suicide bridge”. Which most crossed gingerly whilst others (remaining nameless) crossed with unashamed bravado! So we arrived after the final mile on the River Trent tow path at The Lock house tea rooms at Trent lock.
As we settled in to coffee and tea and a lot of cake some tried to find the toilets. It later became apparent why they were so unmarked and difficult to find. It became clear that the proprietors had had previous trouble from users in the past. Dire warnings adorned the smallest room. Nothing other than bodily fluids were to pass into the plumbing system on pain of closure. No baby products, sanitary products or indeed prophylactic barrier products! Further dire warnings about hand washing, and correct use of sugar tongs under pain or deportation this time all confused the elderly befuddled throng that makes up this “elite” group. There was even a lock from a Gaol that was below the floor in the tea room. Some mused this may have been used for the last abuser of the plumbing facility and may yet still reside! Further hilarity ensued when Eric tried to tell some far fetched tale about his childhood in 1968. Pat laughed in his face with derision because it was impossible that he was a child in such recent history and Trish later commented that he was well known for his tall tales. No wonder he has about as much support from the group as leader as Teresa May has in a cabinet meeting.
As we donned helmets and gloves there was some debate whilst we stood outside as to who exactly would be discarding Prophylactic products and other such items in a Tea Room's smallest room. Brian helpfully pointed out we had inadvertently crossed the border and were now in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE ... and as this dawning realisation sunk in with everyone we quickly jumped on our bikes and sped down the tow path across “suicide bridge” much quicker that we had on the way and raced for the border and the safety of our homeland.
Back down Warren lane passed Long Lane and to the new cycle path parallel with the MI J.24 slip road taking us under Remembrance Way and leading to Kegworth. We came down Side Ley road to the Nottingham Road, Long Lane crossroads here Howard stopped. In a momentary lapse he decided to take an non binding indicative vote. Phil In a need to be away from the old folks as fast as possible chose to plough a lonely furrow down the A6 home, followed by Keith. Howard suggested a route back to Loughborough via Sutton Bonnington and was followed By Pat and a Alan who was recovering from a recent operation. In a cynical attempt to divide and rule Eric suggested a longer route home via Long Whatton, Belton, Diseworth and Shepshed and in a moment of blind panic was followed by Brian and Trish. At that point they went their separate ways vowing to be cautious next time they visit foreign lands.
The Medium Ride, (Report by Graham)This week (27 March) we had 18 riders and so it was decided to split into 3 groups, short medium and long. Howard had already primed me to potentially lead a medium ride, and I had a few ideas in my head. So at 9:30, we watched Howard lead the long ride (8 riders) northwards from Outwoods roundabout, and were amused when at 9:31, Phil arrived and pedalled furiously after them. Our amusement changed to amazement when, at 9:32, Eric popped out of Outwoods Ave, and in his desperation to catch the elite squad, he actually rode the wrong way round the roundabout, much to the consternation of the hapless motorist who was legitimately attempting to negotiate the same roundabout in the conventional direction.
Anyway, an appeal for medium riders to join me solicited only 2 responses, both from gentlemen named Rob, so a few minutes later, myself and the 2 Robs headed off through town towards Meadow Lane. We thought we'd seen the last of the long riders, but as we waited at Meadow Lane lights, they emerged in front of us, they must have been taking one of Howard's cunning short cuts.
We followed them past the Brush towards Stanford, but then we hung a right towards Cotes and took the back roads through Prestwold and Hoton to Wymeswold, then followed another back road past the Windmill pub and on to Six Hills. Then we took a right back onto Paudy Lane then left along the back road to Seagrave. With a group of only 3, even a leader as incompetent as me could hardly lose anyone, but nevertheless I gave it a good go, and on the climb out of Seagrave managed to get a solo rider interposed between the 2 Robs. We regrouped at the top by the old golf club, now being redeveloped as Leics City training ground, before crossing the A46 at what has to be the scariest and most dangerous road crossing in Leics. From there is was down through Thrussington and on to Rearsby, and our coffee stop at Beardsley's tea rooms. We were lucky to get in: all tables were either occupied or reserved, but we managed to get onto a table that was reserved from 11:30 (this was 11:00), provided we didn't hang around. Future rides may be prudent to check this in advance.
Suitably refreshed, we returned by following route 48 through Syston to the canal, then northwards through Cossington and Sileby to Barrow. Since we were all on off-road capable bikes, we took the canal towpath from Barrow to Loughborough, where Rob the longer guided us through hitherto unknown parks and back streets back to Beacon Rd. In my head I'd estimated 25 miles but I think it was nearer 30 in the end, along some really nice quiet lanes.
