Wednesday 4th July 2018

Seventeen of us (Rosalind, Phil, John, Gustavo, Derek,Clyde, Terry, Rob, Myles, David, Patrick, Howard, Pat, Marcus,Jeff plus new riders Clare and Pierro) gathered at Outwoods Drive for our weekly cycle. Two rides were on offer, one a 12 mile shorter ride and the other a longer 20 mile plus ride.

Thirteen set out on the more ambitious ride wending their way down to the Epinal Way via Cross Hill Lane and Park Road. The riders then headed south and across the Soar to Barrow taking Melton Road and Paudy Lane towards Six Hills. A photo stop was taken at Quorn Park where the Quorn Hunt used to be based.

Arriving in good time at the Sports hub refreshments were taken outside. However the bright cycle vest attracted many bothersome insects. Marcus even resorted to removing his top and placing it on an adjacent table which seemed successful in attracting away some of the insects.

The riders then headed south to Hoby and back along the Wreake valley through Thrussington and onto Cossington before turning north to return to Loughborough. Unfortunately Patrick found his tyre deflating in Quorn but was assisted in sorting things our by Howard and Clyde.

The main group was back in Loughborough just after noon.

The shorter ride was not as popular as hoped but Roslind, Phil, Gustavo with Derek taking the lead set off making the maximum use of off road paths as possible to get through Loughborough. The group cut along the side of the University then followed Radmoor Road past the Blind School, entering town at the side of Sainsburys before picking up the canal tow path to Meadow lane.

The riders headed for Stanford-on-Soar, before turning south to Cotes, stopping to admire the amazing views of the river on offer at this time of year. Forging on into Barrow-upon-Soar, Derek was on a mission to avoid as many roads as possible, finding a cycle path that took them to the railway station. They then continued south to Slash lane and crossed the Soar to Mountsorrel where a table had been reserved at the Buttermarket Cafe. The rides tucked into bacon cobs and coffee. After a nice chat and suitably refreshed they cycled back along the old A6 to Loughborough.

Contributed by Derek Adams with a bit of editing by John Catt