2016 Cycling

Octoberclick for this month's league table

Malt Shovel, Shardlow

Eleven Embers opened their October offensive on the Cloud Trail from Worthington to Derby.

Left to right: Ben Crossley, Peter Wright, Mick Ayriss, John Muschialli, Richard Clark, Bob Nash, Ian Bower, Dave Parry, Grahame Billington, John Ashworth and Richard Sleath. Roll your mousewheel to zoom into them.

This always involves an obligatory nose wiping session on Mercian Cycles' window and a bit of superannuated tyre kicking.

We made our way swiftly to Shardlow for lunch at the Malt Shovel. Then we looped back to rejoin the Cloud Trail via the Post Office at Aston on Trent where we cooled off with ice creams.

Our formation cycling team needs a bit more practice.

Wheel and Compass, Weston by Welland

Soon after setting off from Fleckney the ten Embers had to stop to put on waterproofs. Our banana break was taken under the shelter of trees.

We then made a bee line for the Wheel and Compass at Weston by Welland where we tucked into lunch while the heavens chucked it down outside.

We managed the return ride in dry weather and with a following wind all the way to The Well in Kibworth where we were joined for coffee by Warwick Pople.

The Plough, Wysall

Today we welcomed a new lad to the Ember ranks. Peter Essex joined us to check if the legends were true about our mighty feats with knife and fork.

So we dragged Peter, kicking and screaming, into The Plough at Wysall where we proved our prowess by demolishing large platters of victuals. And Peter didn't do too bad for a tyro.

The real challenge came when we returned to Mush's and Jan brought out plates of freshly baked cakes. We scoffed what we could but had to carry the rest home to eat.

Red Lion, Huncote

Twelve Embers met at the Red Lion in Huncote. We cycled to Mallory Park where the cafe is still closed and we are no longer allowed to do a lap of the race circuit. So we moved swiftly on to Pat's Cafe in Barwell.

Then we were joined by Mick Ayriss and Nick Reeves back to the Red Lion to test the lunch menu. (Good as ever) Afterwards a short ride to Thurlaston for a final coffee before going home.

Now see where we went in November.