2020 Cycling

Marchclick for this month's league table

Rising Sun, Shakerstone

Eleven intrepid riders set off today from Kirby Muxloe destined for Shackerstone. Velo John, Grahame, Derek and Simon cycled in from home. Mush, both Richards, both Micks and both Ians met us at the library rendezvous.

The leader Richard Sleath today took on with ease the mantle of Sergeant Major and ruthlessly pushed us all to greater efforts than we wanted to. "Come back Ben, all is forgiven" was the cry often heard throughout the day. The route march took us on our cycles via Ratby and Thornton to Bagworth and Barlestone. We were not even allowed to go to the tea rooms in Thornton such was the harsh regime inflicted on us today. After nearly being lynched Sergeant Sleath forced us onto Barton in the Beans, Congerstone and finally we collapsed in the Rising Sun pub at Shackerstone. All this with the damp and cold wearing us down. The pub grub was good though, and we missed most of the rain as we sat in the warmth.

The afternoon was a lot better with less damp and higher temperatures. We set off with thoughts of home in our minds and we hurtled back to Kirby Muxloe, this time going via Newbold Verdon and Desford. In Desford we revolted and insisted on visiting Real Macaw Café. After a well-earned drink we coasted back towards Kirby Muxloe. The afternoon weather was a lot better for riding than the morning.

Joking apart, many thanks to Richard Sleath for putting up with us all and getting a great route together. Thanks mate.

- Simon Over

Appleby Inn, Appleby Parva

Tim Wicks has joined the Embers to avoid all those home improvement tasks that come with retirement. We fielded thirteen riders from Coalville and set off up what seemed like the bed of a stream and then a ploughed field.

We made better progress once we regrouped on tarmac and were soon forging along familiar roads to our banana break and then the Appleby Inn.

Our route back took us to Measham and the Pot Kiln Lakeside Cafe. From there we set our spinnakers to run before the wind, back to our start.

COVID-19, Week 1: Thursday

Forced to abandon our group cycling by the pesky coronavirus, Embers still manage to socialise from a safe distance. Some took the opportunity to get out for some fresh air and exercise. We shall not be defeated!

Here are some of the messages that flew almost as fast as we cycle downhill.

COVID-19, Week 2: Tuesday

Richard Clark and Peter Wright set up an Embers WhatsApp Group and took it for a test ride.

All Embers group cycle rides are abandoned until further notice.
See where we hope to resume in July.