For a very early and chilly January day it was good to see a turnout of 14 riders. Howard led 6 off the to west while John waited for any laggards and then took the shorter ride north.

Shorter Ride

As it hadn't rained for a few days John decided to risk taking the track across Garendon Park (after wending through the University) and it turned to be quite passable. The riders progressed north along Hallamford Road and then Smithy Lane into Long Whatton. With the Kegworth bypass now complete Kegworth Lane is now open again (after 18 months) so the riders checked out the new junction at the top of Broad Hill. Here Paul had a problem when changing gear and his chain jammed between the chain ring and his frame. After a struggle Jeff managed to free the recalcitrant chain and the riders descended into Kegworth down Whatton Road (which John now discovered was still accessible) for refreshments at Oaklands which was quite busy. After warming up again the riders returned along the east bank of the Soar via Sutton Bonnington and Normanton arriving back in Loughborough just after noon.

Longish Ride.

A sextet of cyclists left Loughborough; Alan, Rob, David, Brian and Terry all led by Howard, heading for Melbourne, really Kings Newton, but maybe Howard thought no one would have heard of Kings Newton. I went there last when the Pippin Rooms were a disco at the Hardinge Arms, maybe 50 years ago- when I was only 17 but this is less about reminiscing and more about the ride. Avoiding Garendon Park Howard thought it might be a bit too muddy (although the short riders had no such thoughts or maybe no thoughts at all!!) we cruised along the ring road to Morrison's traffic island and by the side of the Blackbrook to the A6.

At Hathern we turned left onto the Rempstone Turnpike towards Belton and onward to Tonge and Breedon, over the same hill John Eric and I did needlessly a couple of years ago only to find the golf course coffee shop had long gone; fortunately Beth's Kitchen was still at Breedon so all was forgiven. Now with Beth's Kitchen also gone forgiveness maybe harder to come by. Continuing to Wilson and passing Melbourne Hall and it's cafe, we hoped the cafe we were destined to attend would be open (otherwise there'd be blood on the road.) Two reserve cafes in Melbourne were closed. Howard by this time was beginning to sweat and not just because of the hills. We arrived at the cafe (Tori and Ben's Farm Shop.) a farm/butchers shop and it WAS open, luckily for some. No cakes though only bacon and sausage butties and a couple of oohs as it seemed a bit expensive at £2.50 for tea and coffee but the sausage butties were good (don't tell Anne).

Leaving the cafe we picked up the Cloud Trail to Worthington, one or two of the riders had not gone this way before and onward to Osgathorpe, Belton and Shepshed. Do we risk Garendon Park? You'll be on your own said our leader. Returning therefore alongside the A512. We started to divide and go our separate ways at the Old Ashby Road. I said I was going through the University but missed the turn (I've not lived here long) so it was down to the ring road over the Green Belt to our starting point at Outwoods Drive and then home to a Moroccan inspired pasta bake.