2017 Cycling

Januaryclick for this month's league table

Cow and Plough, Stoughton

First ride of the new year with 12 Embers gathering at Abbey Park cafe on a frosty morning.

L to R: Peter Wright, Ian Bower, John Ashworth, Bob Nash, Mick Ayriss, Ben Crossley, John Muschialli, Derek Jordan, Grahame Billington, Dave Parry, Richard Sleath and Richard Clark.

From there we made tracks back to ASDA near the Space Centre for a warming coffee. We should arrange to meet here next time as they do a breakfast for just £3.

We then made our way south on cycle routes that revealed new and old parts of the city that I hardly recognised. We paused for our banana break ot the Cenotaph on Victoria Park and then onward to the Cow and Plough at Stoughton where we found good food and beer. News evidently gets round because other customers included Anne Jordan and Nick Reeves' sister!

We then moved on to the cafe at Waitrose in Oadby for our puddin's before splitting up for our various cycle journeys home.

Bradgate Arms, Cropston

Despite a bleak weather forecast we set out from Kirby Muxloe with ten embers and made our way on cycle routes and tracks to Bradgate Park. (Was that Dave Smith riding his Duke out of Anstey?) There we were joined by Derek Jordan and made our way to the Deer Barn Cafe for a warm. As it was now beginning to rain we hurried on to the Bradgate Arms in Cropston where Rupert the landlord makes cycle groups welcome.

We needed our waterproofs for our ride back, taking the shortest route. At least waterproofs, hills and grub inside kept us warm on the way back.

A brief pause in the shelter of a bridge. Move your mouse pointer over the picture to take a flash photo and see how effective Dave, Richard and Simon's reflective coats are.

Stilton Cheese Inn, Somerby

Today we had the whole suite of clubs with 13 Embers, not in the least deterred by a day with neither sky nor horizons visible. Nevertheless, our route took us on the pretty (muddy) route past lots of beautiful views we couldn't see. At least we arrived at the Stilton Cheese Inn in Somerby.

We were joined at table by Spike who made our numbers up to a luckier 14.

Our route back was more direct with less hills and most of those downwards. Back at Syston Ian provided tea and cake for riders who were not hurrying to get home before dark.

The Bell, Gumley

Nine Embers set off from Fleckney for some hill walking with bicycles.

Another cold and grey day so we made one stop at Bridge 61 at Foxton Locks on our way to The Bell at Gumley, and another stop at The Well in Kibworth on the way back.

Roll into this photo, not into the canal!
L to R: John Ashworth, Richard Sleath, Ian Bower, Grahame Billington, John Muschialli, Richard Clark, Dave Parry and Derek Jordan.

See what we got up to in February.