Wednesday 7th October 2020
Post date: 06-Oct-2020 13:33:55
For once the forecast was about right and everyone remained dry so long as they didn't fall in a puddle.
Short ride report by Derek
The short ride today was more about the autumnal scenery than the cycling so the pace was slower than usual.
Six of us (Derek, Jeanette, Andrew, Keith, Emelia and Wendy) left Holt Drive a little earlier than expected, The ride was lead by Derek who was keen to try out his new gravel bike on gravel, noticing that Emeila also had a gravel bike we headed up through Crosshill Lane on the usual route up to Mucklin Wood. Those on gravel bikes put them through there paces while the others took a more sedate ride. We all regrouped at the top of the hill back on tarmac stopping to admire the wonderful change the trees were going through at this time of year.
We then pushed on to Woodhouse and Swithland where again we stopped at the Reservoir to look at the trees and watched the swans coming into land. We all decided how lucky we were to have such amazing countryside on our doorstep. We then got back on our bikes and carried on to our destination of Rothley Station where the very efficient staff did table service for us all of tea/coffee and cakes.
Over coffee we learnt about so many interesting things, such as remote bike locks, cycling in Brazil, the bio-medical world and where to recycle metal!.
We returned down The Ridings, admiring the expensive houses, then retraced our steps until we got to Kinch Lane where we headed off to the reservoir once again, stopping to admire the wild life. We then carried on down the side of the quarry into Mountsorrel where we took the old A6 back to Loughborough.
Short/Intermediate Ride report by John
After the long, intermediate and short rides had left in pods of six, just the two John's were left in Holt Drive and it was only 9.25am. They were shortly joined by Eric, who had been prepared lead a ride and then Ray, who had been planning on joining the short ride. It was initially decided to head for the village shop at Normanton as Ray's battery life needed to be taken into account and this option would allow for a variety of routes.
The riders headed out through the University and onto Coe Avenue, where John stopping at the junction for an oncoming car, caused Eric to run into him, causing a bit of bruising to fingers and knee. However Eric was able to continue and the riders headed across Garendon, skirting Shepshed, and joining Hallamford Road to had north to Long Whatton. Here Ray felt if best to head for home so the remaining riders reviewed the situation and decided to head for Dovecote Barn Cafe at Barton in Fabis. The pod headed up Kegworth Lane, through Kegworth, across the Soar and then north to the junction at the power station. From here they took the cycle track to Barton Lane and after passing Thrumpton took Manor Road into Barton.
After some rather carniverous refreshments the riders returned whence they had come as far as the power station where John decided to take the track to Ratcliffe on Soar village but intially made the mistake of taking the turn up onto Remembrance Way. After doubling back, the riders took the switch back ride down to the riverside and Ratcliffe village, then proceeding on south through Sutton Bonnington and Normanton. John and Eric headed down Stanford Lane for home while John head back into Loughborough along Meadow Lane.
Intermediate Ride (25-mile ride via Kegworth). Report by David
Recently, it has been difficult to predict when rain showers will descend, and a few of us cyclists have been caught in the rain this week or chose to duck out (according to our WhatsApp thread). Today was an exception, and two dozen cyclists appeared well before 9:30 to enjoy an early autumn ride in the sun. After the departure of one of the short rides, Terry led the 25-mile ride and departed efficiently as soon as it was quorate, to allow other rides to be worked out with whoever remained. Following behind Terry were Pat, Mick, Myles, Rob and David. There was a bit of a chill in the air, and the wind seemed to be against us in many directions of the ride. Terry led us across Forest Road to the university via Ashleigh Drive, then out onto the Ashby Road via Holywell Way. We passed the extensive roadworks on the approach to the M1, then proceeded through Shepshed via Cambridge Street through to Tickow Lane. It felt like a brisk start, but the Garmin said otherwise. Turning right, then downhill left, our route took us along the cycle route (Carr Lane) and gave us a respite from traffic and chance to chat. Time passed as we coasted through Belton and along Mill Lane, under the M42 to Diseworth. The road took us to Long Whatton, but we turned off at Kegworth Road, along the ups and downs (and a bit more up) to the Kegworth bypass. From here, it was plain sailing as, like the planes coming in to land at East Midlands airport, we only had to lose altitude to get to our refreshment stop. From the second leg of Whatton Road, we did this by turning along Broadhill Road, then onto the Ashby Road, leading us to Oakland’s. Oaklands is well used to dealing with many customers in socially distanced conditions, and are always glad to see us. That is why, I think, they tempted our leader with the most chocolaty of chocolate confections. Generally, Oaklands are recognised for their bacon butties. Suitably replenished, we set off downhill to the Nottingham Road. We turned right onto Station Road and carried on to the turning for Kington-on-Soar, passing under the railway bridge. Finding another Station Road, or perhaps the other end of the same road, we headed for Sutton Bonington. Before getting there, we turned left along Melton Road towards West Leake. A very quiet bus was also heading that way; but we were not done yet, so we let the bus pass. A sign of some return to normality was the plethora of other buses that passed us during our return journey. Near West Leake, we proceeded right along Trowell Lane, then in a few yards came to a thundering halt, like the elephants in Jungle Book. After a swift U-turn, we took Brickyard Lane, then climbed Woodgate Road towards East Leake. We turned off along Rempstone Road, avoiding East Leake, and turned right onto Loughborough Road to get to the A6006.
On the other side of the road, the perilous bumpy road downhill, with the attendant white van race, to Stanford-upon-Soar gave way to the tranquil newly-tarmaced thoroughfare through Stanford itself. We waved to Pat on the corner, as the remainder of us crossed the windy marsh along Meadow Lane, to Loughborough.
I recorded 26 miles from Holt Drive and back soon after 12, at an average speed of 11.4 mph, and an elevation gain of 1181 feet.
Long Ride, report by Tricia
There were the statutory six of us leaving Holt Drive, Alan, Brian, Margaret, Mick, Tricia (the scribe) and Marcus, who was lured in by the cafe destination. We headed out to Wysall via Barrow and Wymeswold, then Widmerpool and a bit of off-road towards Kinoulton, at which point we nearly lost Margaret to the more comfortable road route. From Kinoulton it was a short ride to the Hickling cafe stop, a location that must have the speediest service in the East Midlands (and some of the tastiest offerings). The route back was via Nether and Upper Broughton, and we separated after Burton-on-the-Wolds, with most heading back home via Cotes. The photo that should accompany this report seems to have disappeared; perhaps the group did step back into the Hickling pond after all, leaving nothing but an empty space. Let's hope we see them next week!