2019 Cycling

Julyclick for this month's league table

Red Lion Inn, Caythorpe

It's that time of year when we need to swap saffron jackets for orange tee shirts. There were nine Embers scouting new country on Thunderbug Thursday, ably led by John Ashworth who seems to have a nose for a good pub. Today his sense of direction (or smell) took us to the Red Lion Inn, Caythorpe.

Our route back brought us to Pizzini Coffee Shop where we rested with coffee, cake and ice creams.

Then we returned to the Dirty Duck to break up until next week.

Stratton Arms, Turweston

Six Embers set off from Canons Ashby heading for the village hall in Syresham where we knew there would be tea and cake. We found that the cunning blighters had moved the village hall since we were last there. When we eventually traced it to its new location hoards of cyclists were already tucking into our cakes! We did get some tea and cake (except Ian who arrived late) but we also got a recommendation for a pub for lunch.

So a few miles later we reached the Stratton Arms in Turweston for a warm welcome and a hot lunch.

Then we took the quick way back to Canons Ashby for ... more tea and cake. Hard work this cycling.

Weavers Arms, Fillongley

Nine riders met at Hartshill Hayes Country Park and then Somon Over lead us on a well researched route that is new to us. We passed Nuneaton and skirted south through Bedworth along canal paths with our banana break at the Ashby de la Zouch canal junction.

Then Simon timed our arrival at the Weavers Arms in Fillongley to perfection. Good food washed down with birthday drinks from Derek Jordan.

We then voted for the short route back with a coffee and cake break at Hoar Park. This is familiar ground for the motorcycle riders who gather there.

Blue Bell, Belchford

Height of summer and a long drive out to our meeting place at Tesco car park in Horncastle. Peter Wright and Richard Clark were feeling adventurous and planned a ride up into the Lincolnshire Wolds.

So one of the hottest days of the year saw ten Embers sweating their socks off on some long hills, some steep hills and mostly long steep hills.

All our effort had rewards. Our spirits were rewarded by an uplifting view from the high road. Our tummies were rewarded with a fine lunch at the Blue Bell Inn in Belchford.

From there we chose to take the quick route back to Horncastle for tea and cakes. There were still a few hills to climb on the way.

More extreme rides and weather extremes in August.