East Midlands Camping Rally at Whatoff Lodge Farm 27-30th May
It's back! The East Midlands Camping Rally at Whatoff Lodge Farm is on Friday 27th May through to Monday 30th May.
Book for the rally here
Latest updates below
Programme as envisaged 3/4/22 This will continue to be updated.
This event was formally known as the East Midlands Cyclists' Touring Club Rally and was held annually at Beaumanor Hall, during the Spring Bank Holiday. The campsite is open from 4 pm Friday afternoon to the bank holiday Monday afternoon. There are usually two rides organised each day from Saturday to Monday inclusive for those who do not want to do their own thing: one about 25 miles which is at a sedate pace and another of about 50 miles to places of local interest.
Some campers choose to devise their own rides or just relax.
The facilities are basic, (Toilets, Shower, Kitchen, room for relaxing ) but adequate, and we have exclusive use over this weekend.
There is a social on site during the Saturday evening at which a film is shown and nibbles, biscuits, tea and coffee are provided during the intermission.
The campsite is 0.8 miles from Quorn station, part of the Great Central Heritage Railway which operates between Loughborough and Leicester. There are several other close by attractions that can be cycled to, including Bradgate Park with its ruined manor house and large deer park. There is a relatively short and quiet route for cyclists into Loughborough from the site (see below).
There are many places to visit such as:
Ray Clay set up the event and managed it until 2014.
I have been running this event since 2015.
There are plenty of things to do/places to ride to locally here, with some lovely countryside in all directions.
This year's rally
The East Midlands Cycling UK committee didn't want to be involved in this year's event, so as I have run it for the last five years I have taken the decision to run it myself single handedly, particularly as post pandemic there don't seem many events to go to. With not a great deal of time to go before the event, I have attempted to price this the best way I can. It is an attempt to gain a few new people to attend as well.
I also welcome all input, as very little is set in stone! Its been put together in my spare time, and is still being formulated, however there have been plenty of bookings, so it will be going ahead, maybe with some minor tweeks!
Update 24/.4/22
The event has received enough bookings to ensure it is going ahead, but I've decided to move the event to nearby Whatoff Lodge Farm, which has more flexibility for the numbers we expect, as well as being cheaper.
Don't worry about the reviews online about this site, the facilities seemed ok to me when I visited last week, and I will be ensuring all is good before we visit.
To all those who've booked and paid, you will be receiving a part refund shortly, along with updated instructions for attending, although it will be broadly similar to before.
If you want to assist in any way, or want/need something providing that isn't shown please message or phone me. Contact details here
Book for the rally here (Credit Card)
Book for the rally here (Booking Form / Cheque)
Programme as envisaged 3/4/2022 (Under Construction).
Book for the rally here
Latest updates below
Programme as envisaged 3/4/22 This will continue to be updated.
This event was formally known as the East Midlands Cyclists' Touring Club Rally and was held annually at Beaumanor Hall, during the Spring Bank Holiday. The campsite is open from 4 pm Friday afternoon to the bank holiday Monday afternoon. There are usually two rides organised each day from Saturday to Monday inclusive for those who do not want to do their own thing: one about 25 miles which is at a sedate pace and another of about 50 miles to places of local interest.
Some campers choose to devise their own rides or just relax.
The facilities are basic, (Toilets, Shower, Kitchen, room for relaxing ) but adequate, and we have exclusive use over this weekend.
There is a social on site during the Saturday evening at which a film is shown and nibbles, biscuits, tea and coffee are provided during the intermission.
The campsite is 0.8 miles from Quorn station, part of the Great Central Heritage Railway which operates between Loughborough and Leicester. There are several other close by attractions that can be cycled to, including Bradgate Park with its ruined manor house and large deer park. There is a relatively short and quiet route for cyclists into Loughborough from the site (see below).
There are many places to visit such as:
- A Brewery with a Sample Cellar
- Donkey Sanctuary
- Pestilence Cottage in Old WoodHouse
- Loughbrough Bell Foundry
- St Mary’s Church in Colston Bassett
- The National Memorial Arboretum
- Shackerstone Station on the Battlefield Line
- Langer Airfield a former WWII Airfield for bombers
- Ratcliffe on Soar Power station
- Burrough Hills ancient Iron fort remains
- Melton Mowbray
- Oakham
Ray Clay set up the event and managed it until 2014.
I have been running this event since 2015.
There are plenty of things to do/places to ride to locally here, with some lovely countryside in all directions.
This year's rally
The East Midlands Cycling UK committee didn't want to be involved in this year's event, so as I have run it for the last five years I have taken the decision to run it myself single handedly, particularly as post pandemic there don't seem many events to go to. With not a great deal of time to go before the event, I have attempted to price this the best way I can. It is an attempt to gain a few new people to attend as well.
I also welcome all input, as very little is set in stone! Its been put together in my spare time, and is still being formulated, however there have been plenty of bookings, so it will be going ahead, maybe with some minor tweeks!
Update 24/.4/22
The event has received enough bookings to ensure it is going ahead, but I've decided to move the event to nearby Whatoff Lodge Farm, which has more flexibility for the numbers we expect, as well as being cheaper.
Don't worry about the reviews online about this site, the facilities seemed ok to me when I visited last week, and I will be ensuring all is good before we visit.
To all those who've booked and paid, you will be receiving a part refund shortly, along with updated instructions for attending, although it will be broadly similar to before.
If you want to assist in any way, or want/need something providing that isn't shown please message or phone me. Contact details here
Book for the rally here (Credit Card)
Book for the rally here (Booking Form / Cheque)
Programme as envisaged 3/4/2022 (Under Construction).