Wednesday 6th February 2019
Post date: 05-Feb-2019 07:55:15
After the frosts that had caused the cancellation of the rides for the previous two weeks and a rainy night, riders were pleased to find themselves gathering on a sunny and reasonably mild morning for their first February ride of the year.
Short Ride
John led Jill, Paul, Rob, Lyn, Ray, Norman and Myles south skirting the South Lougborough developments using the cycle track between Mucklin Wood and Woodthorpe. This route was chosen in order to avoid the mud on the track to Beaumanor but he had not realised that there would be a large muddy puddle at the barrier where riders exited for the Woodthorpe roundabout. However this obstacle was successfully negotiated and the group continued south through Quorn taking Wood Lane towards Rothley. Ray's electric bike ran out of puff climbing the hill past the quarry but he managed to get it going again. The group continued on past Rothley Station and then took Reservoir Road across Cropston dam before turning into Bradgate Park to take refreshments at the Deer Barn Tea Room. The riders returned via Swithland and Quorn.
Long(ish) Ride
Tricia, Clyde, Rob, Terry, Pat, Howard, David, Brian, Alan, and Jeff. (From right to left see picture.) We all set off on my favoured route through town to get to Meadow Lane, and Stanford on Soar. Here we turned right on the bend using Stanford Lane to get across to the A60. Cutting directly across the A60, we took the shortest route to Walton on the Wolds going up New Lane round the back. Then right; Black Lane followed by Big Lane to Seagrave. The tricky bit came next. Crossing the A46 without getting run-over. With everyone safely across it was downhill to Coffee at the Deli in Thrussington. The cafe here has recently been extended and all 10 of us were able to be seated round one long table. Eric had had a puncture and he'd been sent a text to say we'd be here by 11:30. However my timings were a little bit out or we had travelled faster than I had expected as it was not even 11 by the time we had arrived. Consequently Eric met us just as we were leaving. Still he was happy enough to take the group photo on the green.
Eleven of us now took our route back through Rearsby and Cossington, going onto Sileby and Mountsorrel, where we picked up the old A6 back through Quorn to Loughborough returning on Epinal Way. A shorter route than we've completed recently totalling 40k or approx 25 miles from our official start point to finish. Most travelling further having to ride to the start first, (and back).
