Wednesday 8th January 2020
Post date: 07-Jan-2020 08:30:30
Long ride report to Tylers tea room Castle DoningtonWith any excesses of the Christmas period now a more distant memory, a baker’s dozen from the large turnout chose to follow Howard as we headed in a largely clockwise direction to Castle Donington.
After negotiating our way through Loughborough and getting everyone back together after the Meadow Lane traffic lights, Fox Hill was our first warm up, then though Sutton Bonington and West Leake to the A453. The route just off here along Ratcliffe Lane had a wonderful stretch of smooth new tarmac, so with the steadily brightening weather, and almost no traffic we were enjoying 2020. Then across to the M1/A50 junction, trying to keep Howard well in sight as we weaved around the maze that is the cycle path; past the pallet “sculpture” park; through (literally) what seemed to be the fly-tipping centre of NW Leicestershire; emerging at last into pleasant Lockington. The sharp ascent from Hemington to Castle Donington surprised some, but was despatched and we crowded into Tyler’s Tearooms. The bacon and egg baps and the teacakes were highly rated, the Victoria sandwich was only given 7/10. After the photo opportunity we set off back, with the sun breaking through making it a thoroughly pleasant ride. A straightforward return between the airport and the race track, then Diseworth, Long Whatton and Hathern. Around 30 miles and 1000 feet of climbing.
Thanks to Keith for the report.
Short ride report to St Joseph’s tearoom On a warm but cloudy morning the Wednesday cyclists turned up in force for the first formal ride of the new year, to hit the ground cycling. Although most opted for Howard’s long ride, there were 9 left to do two shorter rides. David led the short ride to St Joseph’s tearoom and was joined by David, Max (2 new people) and Graham. We headed to Forest Road, then up the hill to turn into Fairmount Drive. Our leader nearly had a confrontation with a police car, but clearly was not high on the list of local suspects. Cutting through Coniston Crescent to the University, the foursome followed the University Road through to Holywell Way. We then climbed along Ashby Road to the roundabout over the M1, looking down on various roadworks where once trees stood. The narrow path to Shepshed was negotiated with care because large vehicles were having to run very close to the kerb. Turning into Leicester Road, there was a stream of cars trying to leave Shepshed. I once had a work colleague who would have sympathized with this intent. We were able to cross this stream and take Cambridge Road, cross Charnwood Road, and take Anson Road to Tickow Lane. After a short breather, we followed this lane past new houses on unfinished roads, through to Ashby Road. We all crossed together onto Charley Road. Some way along Charley Road, there is a dip with a road junction. We turned right here and proceeded up the hill on Abbey Road. Here the fab four were greeted by one hooting motorist. Soon we were able to take the Oaks Road for our refreshment break. It was warm inside St Joseph’s tearoom and there were not many others around, particularly no other cyclists. We emerged for the homeward run along Oaks Road. Just over the main road, the continuation of Oaks Road was closed to vehicles, but cyclists were allowed through provided we kept clear of a large blue flexible pipe that was snaking its way out of a manhole. Having negotiated the Basilisk, we carried on down to Charley Road, turning right. We passed under the motorway, straight over Nanpantan Road and left onto Beacon Road. Here we climbed to our highest point and had a short breather before the biggest descent of the ride. Graham left us on the hill, and the rest of us carried on to Woodhouse, where we turned left into Beaumanor.
The ride through Mucklin Wood did not seem so bumpy and muddy as expected, but I was still glad of a long puddle of undisturbed water at the end to clean my wheels in transit.
We went our separate ways at Valley Road, at about 12 noon, having covered about 17.8 miles.
Thanks to David for the report.
Short Ride Report - Ellis Tea Room at Rothley Station
Rather than risk the mud left from the recent floods in Watermead Park that would have been part of a ride to the Green Place in Sileby, it was decided to head up the east bank of the Soar to Rothley Station. A figure of eight route was adopted with the Lynn, Myles, Wendy, Marcus & John heading south through Quorn and then up Woods Lane before turning right in Swithland for Cropston Reservoir, crossing the dam and then heading back to Rothley to the Ellis Tea Room. After some welcome refreshments, where the odds of both Wendy and John having daughters that had just qualified as actuaries was discussed (something they should be able to work out) the riders returned through Swithland and Woodhouse to Quorn and then home to Loughborough before noon.