The Loughborough Chain Gang

24/11/2023

It's been a successful reintroduction with a group of regulars already attending on a weekly basis. Should be a group of at least 10 out tomorrow in the sun, so why not join... Open to all. Details in the pinned post.

07/11/2023

We are back!
The Midlands' strongest chain gang returns for a full winter of rides, this time on Saturday's.
All are welcome and please share. Let's make this big again!

The Loughborough Chain Gang:
A competitive chain gang around an undulating 44km route (Posted below).
Meeting and Departing from the Loughborough-Quorn layby (Loughborough Road) every SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Meeting at 12:55, DEPARTING at 13:00 sharp.
This ride has no affiliation to any club, so all club and non-club riders welcome.
This is a DROP ride. This means you must be self reliant for if you are dropped from the main group.
Every rider should:
-Follow all normal road laws throughout the ride
-Be self sufficient with mechanicals and knowing your location
-Having a fully functioning road bike (No TT bikes)
Limited parking in layby, but lots of parking 1 minute down the road in the village of Quorn.
Strava:
https://www.strava.com/routes/11389978
Garmin Connect: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/16689509

Loughborough Chain Gang is a 42.8 km Cycling Route. Discover this route and more at Strava. Visit today!

15/02/2022

Saturday 19th February.
Roll out at 12:00 mid day.
Same Place.
Same Route.
Same Rules.
Anyone welcome.
Get. On. It.

15/02/2022

2022:
No official weekly chainy this year (Unless someone wants to take it on).
However there will be sporadic returns of the strongest chain gang in the East Midlands with riders from Loughborough University organising a group.
This Saturday is the first of those rides. Meeting at 12 mid day in normal location to complete the standard route (Given in Pinned Post) and sticking to the original chain gang rules.
Happy riding and 2022 to all.

18/08/2020

Hi guys, hope you’re all doing well.

After having spoken to a few guys it turns out that the general consensus is that it would be a bit better for an earlier rollout on the chaingang at the moment. We’re now looking at a 15:30 start so usual principles (following Covid guidelines) apply for arriving now at 15:25. Looking forward to seeing you guys there!

To confirm, from 20/08 onwards we’ll be leaving at 15:30 😁

13/08/2020

Dare I say the weather may hold off for tonight.
Same rules as last week, please like this post before or in the 24 hours after the ride to keep a record of who was there for track and trace.
6:30pm, Quorn lay-by, lets go!

05/08/2020

With sufficient interest shown, the Loughborough Chaingang will start again tomorrow evening (Thursday). For full details on time, location and route, please read the pinned post on this page.

I (Phill) cannot make it this week, I trust any participants will act accordingly and split themselves into groups of no more than 6 if larger numbers are present. Talk to each other from a safe distance and work out what groups you would like to ride in! If we want to keep this going it needs every individual to be responsible for the safety of everyone else.

COVID 19:
Please follow all guidelines below to ensure the safety of all participants on the ride.
-Do not come if you are feeling at all unwell or have any of the standard Covid symptoms.
-Please ensure Social distancing as best as possible in the Lay By before the ride starts (It is a big lay by!)
-Groups can be no larger than 6 riders! If there are multiple groups, please do not join together to make one big group once out on the road.
-If you attend, please like this post either before or within 24 hours after the ride, this will act as a track and trace system. If you start to develop symptoms in the 7 days after attending, please contact this page so we can contact those you may have ridden with.

Each rider comes at their own risk - This is not a BC club, or a BC ride etc', but we are doing everything we can so everyone can enjoy themselves safely.

Happy riding!

31/07/2020

With the return of club runs and with following British Cycling advice and guidance we aim to re-introduce the chain gang this coming Thursday (6th August).

Current guidelines will need to be followed at all times (Max groups of 6, keeping a bit further apart etc). Further details RE Safety with Covid-19 would be posted before the first ride.

With no racing this may well be about as close as you can get at present, but is purely an 'enjoyable' training session for those looking for something harder.

At the present, we would like to gauge potential interest from past and potential Loughborough Chainy riders so we are aware of potential numbers to ensure this can be viable.

I dont seem to be able to make a poll, so please like this post if you would be interested in coming along at some point in August.

08/07/2020

So, it's been a while since our last post, but given government advice we still aren't able to resume the chaingang just yet, but hopefully it'll be back soon.

In the meantime, if you need your bike servicing but are struggling to get a slot with your LBS given the surge in new cyclists, then we can't recommned Loughborough Service Course enough. James can do anything from full services, wheel rebuilds, bottom bracket replacements to fixing minor issues.

Stay safe out there 👋

16/03/2020

See you all tomorrow night (Tuesday 17th), 6.30pm. As you were!

01/03/2020

Update! For various reasons, the Chaingang will now run on Tuesday evenings as well as Thursdays evenings. This will be a trial run for a month to see numbers on each days before a potential permanent switch is made. Same time, same place, just on a Tuesday too.

19/02/2020

Week two of 2020 chaingang action tomorrow - like if you’re coming along