2017 Cycling

Mayclick for this month's league table

Trent Lock, Sawley

After gathering at Holme Pierrepont there were eight Embers almost free wheeling alongside the Trent all the way to Trent Lock with a stiff following breeze.

The Boathouse Café at Beeston is located about half way along this route which is ideal for our banana break. On the return journey we headed north on the Beeston Canal for cofffee and cake at Castle Marina Sainsburys. Sacha Crossley took a brief break from her studies to join us here to prove that, six years after the original Embers cycle ride, she can still remember how to eat cake.

Woolpack Inn, Islip

Today we were joined by Stuart Drage, an Ember of the Kettering and District MCC who we lure out to join us when the spring arrives and we are within his range.

Closure of the A43 near Corby following a serious accident meant a late start from Lyveden New Bield. We also decided to avoid the roads to the north because of diverted traffic. So we took part of the Lyveden Trail through the woods and along a + − + − + − + − + byway open to all traffic. (Horses and hovercraft maybe!)

Some of the route demanded to be walked, the road across Drayton Park is No Cycling, so that was walked, and some of the hills needed two leg drive to be engaged. We then found the first pub we tried had moved out of our price bracket and the second wasn't serving lunches. So we didn't sit down to eat at the Woolpack Inn, Islip until after 1pm.

We then made our return journey avoiding main roads by weaving this way and that to the Coffee Tavern in Oundle for coffee and cake.

John Thompson Inn, Ingleby

After a truly soaking Wednesday ten embers were blessed with a warm and sunny day for their cycling. After a flat and traffic free ride along the Cloud Trail from Worthington and a banana break on the bridge over the River Trent we headed west along muddy tracks and up a few hills, just to work up a thirst.

We took our lunch break with Nick Reeves at the John Thompson Inn and Brewery in Ingleby. From there we returned via Cake Calke Abbey (where we paused for ... er ... cake) and Staunton Harold.

Dirty Duck, Woolthorpe

Ten Embers were determined not to blink in the hot sunshine - in case they missed summer. Their aim was to head for Grantham, but the heat (and the fact that the Dirty Duck has reopened) put paid to their ambition.

Our route back included a section on the Grantham canal tow path to Dove Cottage Tea Room and Charity Shop where, for some riders, the weather demanded two icecreams.

After the long range quartet took off for their ride back to syston, the Melton bunch, specifically Simon Over, suffered a puncture, and then took the pretty route back to base.

Now follow us as we head towards summer.