2016 Cycling

Septemberclick for this month's league table

Royal Horse, Leamington

Embers welcomed back Bob Nash who is back to his normal form - incorrigible. Nine riders set off on the Lias Line from Rugby to Leamington Spa.

Without straying from the signed route we safely rached the Royal Horse where we enjoyed a very good value meal. Then into Jephson Park for ice creams.

The stars of Beauty and the Beast were on a photo call in the sunshine.

Just one puncture just before reaching Rugby. Then to Sainsbury's cafe for tea to finish the day.

The Chequers, Ravensthorpe

Stuart Drage came out to see us off from Kemarsh Station with dire warnings about the hills to the south-west. We should have paid heed.

Our lunch break at The Chequers in Ravensthorpe compensated us adequately for all the hills we had climbed.

The route back was just as hilly with one incline of 62.5% (ie 5 out of 8 had to walk up) and included a rough track, but at least we had a following wind that took us to Kelmarsh Hall for tea and cakes.

The Steamboat, Sawley

Seven Embers set off from Holme Pierrepont on a cool and misty morning, heading west alonside the Trent. After our banana break at the Boathouse Cafe the sun came out and the day brightened up.

At Sawley we chose to have lunch at The Steamboat for a change. From there we headed north along the Erewash Canal before turning southeast to the Attenborough Nature Centre where we had coffee and cake. Then back to the Beeston Marina for ice cream from the chandlers.

We then headed back to the start via Beeston Canal tow path, resisting the temptation to pause for further refreshments at inviting hostelries.

Toby Carvery, Binley

Half the Embers are off motorcycling on the south coast so just five riders cycled from Lutterworth. We made quick time to the Toby Carvery at Binley, arriving bang on midday.

We were making such good time that we took a detour on our return. This brought us back to Lutterworth past PJ's Café where we were waylaid by large slices of cake.

Belvoir Alehouse, Old Dalby

Even in this well explored area we managed to find new roads ro explore. Ten Embers out on a bright and windy day, tackling the hills with gusto.

It didn't take much to persuade us to take our lunch break at Belvoir Alehouse in Old Dalby. We've been there before and we were not disappointed by their faggots, nor by their ale, straight from the brewery.

We returned for coffee and cake at Sainsburys before Ian, John and Grahame set off to cycle back to Syston.

The Embers next reformed to assault October mob handed.