2020 Cycling

Januaryclick for this month's league table

Oadby Owl

Excellent start to the year with twelve Embers getting back into the swing. We welcomed Mick Perry into our ranks.

We kept with our tradition of cycling to a central city location for our first ride of the year by meeting at Abbey Lane ASDA. We then followed cycle friendly routes through Abbey Park, Victoria Park and out to the Oadby Owl for lunch to.

Our route back was almost the same but we all went to university (at last) for more refreshments.

It looks like Mush may have found his ideal saddle at long last.

Stilton Cheese, Somerby

Fourteen Embers met at Ian's in Syston, most after cycling there. We were fortunate to have a strong following wind to help us up the hills in South Croxton and Burrough on the Hill. Our climb was worthwhile because we returned to the Stilton Cheese Inn, Somerby for an excellent lunch.

On the way back we diverted to Beardsley's Tearoom in Rearsby for tea and cake. Then those who weren't hurrying homeward before dark returned to Ian's for ... er ... more tea and cake.

Swan, Kibworth

Because of a dismal forcast the twelve Embers agreed to ride a short route and return close to our start location for lunch. That way we might avoid a long afternoon ride in the rain. So we set off with enthusiasm that took us up the hills to Bridge 61 for a coffee and to regain our breath. Time flies when you are having buns. We had to head straight back with another brief pause for bananas.

The pub we had warned of our approach put up their shutters ("the electicity failed") so we tried the Swan in Kibworth and then cycled 50 yards to The Well for more cake. We were pleased to be joined there by Warwick Pople who we had kept informed of our dodgy route.

The weather had turned wet for riders who still had to cycle home so we didn't feel too guilty about doing less than ten official miles.

Red Lion, Huncote

A pretty miserable damp day encouraged us to ride straight from our meeting place to the Gardeners Rest at Thurlaston garden centre. We loitered there indecently long, then headed for Earl Shilton along Watery Gate Lane, just to see how deep the ford was. Deep enough!

There was no hanging about as we headed back to the Red Lion to dry out, warm up and drink Mick Perry's health on his 17th birthday - or did we get that backwards?

Shires Inn, Peatling Parva

On this day thirteen Embers set off as if they meant business; the business of finding and devouring cake. First stop was the Toast Office in Fleckney.

Then quickly on to the Shires Inn, Peatling Parva for lunch to fill up between cakes.

Roll your mousewheel to zoom into this line-up of shady characters outside the Shires Inn:
Left to right John Muschialli, John Ashworth, Richard Clark, Mick Ayriss, Ian Bower, Dave Parry, Ian Jacques, Derek Jordan, Ben Crossley, Grahame Billington, Mick Perry, Richard Sleath and Simon Over.

Final stop on our return to Houghton-on-the-Hill was at Wistow Café Bistro where we were compelled to consume more cake.

Let's move on to February Fill-Dyke.