2019 Cycling

Marchclick for this month's league table

Gate Inn, Osbaston Hollow

It was wet and windy for the twelve embers who cycled today. The weather was the same. So after meeting at Kirby Muxloe and donning our waterproofs for the Burroughs, we made a quick circuit of Thornton Reservoir then sought refuge in the café at Thornton Nurseries.

We then pushed on into the teeth of the wind all the way to the Gate Inn at Osbaston where we took our time over lunch in the hope of better weather.

Our return journey was aided and abetted by a following wind and just a threat of rain. However we still thought it prudent to take on more coffee and cake at Tropical Birdland before we broke up to take our separate ways home.

Dave Parry John Muschialli Ben Crossley Simon Over Grahame Billington Ian Bower Mick Ayriss Richard Clark Richard Sleath John Ashworth Derek Jordan

The Bell, Gumley

Despite portents of doom, nine Embers faced the gales to cycle from Houghton on the Hill. We quickly made our way to Wistow Café Bistro for our banana break.

We then climbed the really steep hill by Saddington Reservoir to reach The Bell in Gumley.

We then returned for pudding (coffee and cake) at The Well where they now know us all too well. Then ever onwards via Burton Overy and Kings Norton into the headwind and up hills just for the sport of it.

Toby Carvery, Binley

This week we had thirteen Embers on the road from Lutterworth getting in some practice for next week's E.A.T. We began with refreshments at Rebecca's Kitchen at the Malt Kiln Farm Shop in Stretton under Fosse where we took shelter to avoid threatening sunshine.

Then we moved swiftly on (or our version of swiftly) to the Toby Carvery at Binley where we practiced a bit more EATing.

On our return journey we couldn't resist a detour through Binley Woods that brings us out opposite Coombe Abbey. Nor could we forgo a return to Rebecca's Kitchen to try the cakes that we spotted earlier.

Medals will be presented to everyone for surviving crossing the A46 at Binley and the A5 at Magna Park (twice!)

Ben gets into shape for some serious cake eating on the Embers Annual Tour.

Embers Annual Tour, Weston-super-Mare

This series of four rides has its own page. Click here.

Crown Inn, Marston Montgomery

What a great day. Six embers (Velo John, Mush, Ian Jacques, Richard Sleath, Simon and Pete) went on a tour of west Derbyshire in glorious sunshine. Starting at Willington Mercia Marina and led as ever by Velo John. The tour started with a coffee at the marina, because we could, and we then headed off west to Hilton and Church Broughton.

Lunch was taken further west at the Crown Inn, Marston Montgomery. Excellent food and highly recommended.

After lunch we headed east back along a Roman road through Alkmonton and Longlane towards Mikleover on the western outskirts of Derby and then onto route 66. Unfortunately not as grand as the American version and certainly a lot less well sign posted. But Velo John got us through and we headed further south to Findern and finally back to the marina. And you guessed it another coffee and cake. It is a tough life this cycling. A day in the sun and great watering holes, what more can we ask for. Pub

- Simon Over

Then came April and it was like going back into winter.