Wednesday 29th January 2020
Post date: 28-Jan-2020 09:12:23
A chilly but beautifully sunny late January morning saw another good turnout.
Short RideLast week the short ride was the most popular, but this week (possibly because the sun was shining) only 5 riders opted for the shorter ride. Jeff, Rosalind, Mick, Myles and John headed out towards Mucklin Wood but rather than risk the mud took a left turn on the cycle track and headed for the Woodthorpe roundabout. From there they headed south through Quorn and then climbed Wood Lane and carried on to the Ridings towards Rothley Court. The riders then proceeded towards the old A6 past Rothley Primary School and then turned north, taking the back way under the A6 into the Rowena Garden Centre. After some relaxed refreshments the riders followed Bier Way into Mountsorrel and then headed west to Swithland (where they saw their first snowdrops of 2020) returning to Quorn via Brand Lane. The group arrived back in Loughborough just before noon.
Intermediate Ride Report
With the sun blazing all morning, dark glasses were a good choice for those who had them. Mercifully, Keith led off away from the sun. There was a chill wind, so most of us started out well wrapped up. As the morning passed, the temperature noticeably increased.
There were 10 of us on the Intermediate ride to St Joseph’s Tea Room - Keith, Dave, Dom, Robert, Bryan, Clyde, Eric, Derek, David and Marcus.The route to the A6 was via Epinal Way to Maxwell Drive, then along Writers Way (a path off to the right just before Morrisons). This led out onto Darwin Crescent which joins the A6. With so many of us, our initial speed was not very fast and everyone was keeping up.
In Hathern, we took the left turn left uphill along Shepshed Road, and proceeded under the M1 to Shepshed. Now spread out, we regrouped on Lansdowne Road and turned left into Oakley Road. From Oakley Road, we sped down Hallamford Road and took a left to use the cycle track over the hills to Belton, crossing the Ashby Road (B5324). It was a clear day and we could see for miles across the fields. Many dog walkers were out keeping tight reins on their hounds.
In Belton, we passed the church and then turned left back across the Ashby Road into Gracedieu Lane. We went right along Church Lane through the sleepy village of Osgathorpe. Then we crossed Ashby Road again and arrived at Top Brand, the road that follows the hill top above Worthington. A short distance along Top Brand led us yet again to the Ashby Road where there was a large old white building. To a parched man in a desert, this looked like a pub; but sadly, it wasn’t, and we had further to go for refreshments. The narrow track through to the other Ashby Road (A512) would have been easy, but for a large lorry coming the other way causing us to mount a grassy bank.
At Ashby Road, a kind man in a white van (just read that again!) let us out. Our short passage along this road ended as we turned left up Lily Bank past The George and Dragon (by this stage, parched man had taken a swig from his water bottle). Keith had warned us that the next few miles were all up hill. This was psychologically astute, because it caused many riders to rise to the challenge, and our speed was not much less than the previous 10 miles on the flat.
We passed the Fish Shop on The Green at Thringstone, and turned left just before Whitwick, skirting round Whitwick to join the steady upward slope of Loughborough Road, which leads into Oaks Road.
It may be said that we had earned our refreshments at St Joseph’s, and we were duly provided with waitress service at 2 tables. We were warned it might take some time to serve all of us, but is gave us time to talk with Derek about the Hunstanton ride set for 10th June.
Soon after we left the tea room, we encountered the road works on Oaks Road. This was an obstacle course worthy of Aintree, and probably a bit much for most local horse riders. But our intrepid crew came through it, and dusted ourselves off while awaiting a break in the traffic at Charley Road.
When we reached the Nanpantan Road, Marcus headed more directly for home. The rest of us continued to Beacon Road, then crossed the B5330. Clyde took a different route here, but later re-joined us on the A6004 coming into Loughborough. The rest of us assembled outside the upper Beacon car park, then each went at our own speed down the the fast-downhill stretch virtually all the way to Quorn. Derek took the recently improved track through Mucklin Wood.
We were back soon after 1 pm. The distance to the point of departure was 25.4 miles. Our average speed was 10.2 mph and the elevation gain was 1663 ft. Report by David Greenleaf.
The Long Ride ReportPhil, our leader for the day, promised us a 40 mile ride to Eye Kettleby cafe followed by a "sting in the tail" on the way home. The rest of the team consisted of Pat, new rider Margaret, Terry, Mick,and Brian.
On a sunny but cold morning we set off on the now usual route through Shelthorpe to miss the dangerous Aldi island. Keeping to the old A6 we branched off at Mountsorrel to Sileby and on to Ratcliffe and Thrussington. Ignoring a road closed sign, we got through to Rearsby, avoiding roadworks by using a convenient grass verge. Straight across the busy A607, on we sped through Gaddesby to Ashby Folville. A left turn brought us a long steady climb and eventually Great Dalby. Another left turn saw us shun the infamous cafe where moving tables is considered a cardinal sin and on to Eye Kettleby cafe. Phil had let slip that the sting in the tail was the climb out of Ragdale to Six Hills.
Suitably refreshed and loins girded for the climb ahead, we turned right from the cafe and left on to our old friend, the A607, which seemed even busier. A right turn at Kirby Bellars brought us to Asfordby. Those of us who know the area expected a left turn to Hoby, then Ragdale and the aforementioned climb. But no, either due to a leader or computer malfunction , we went straight on to through Grimston and left towards Six Hills. Phil generously offered to hold jackets and wait for any disappointed riders who wanted to descend, turn around and climb Ragdale Hill. There were no takers. It's a good job we kept a little in the tank as we had to do battle with a 15 mph headwind all the way along Paudy lane to Barrow, Quorn and Loughborough.
Arrived home at 2.00pm with a spot on 40 miles recorded . Report by Brian Jones.