2025 Cycling
Julyclick for this month's league table
Blue Pig, Wolvey
A great turn out today with eleven Embers meeting at Karter’s Café in Lutterworth. After a leisurely coffee in Karter’s we headed north via Bitteswell and onto Claybrooke Parva. After crossing the A5 we stopped for a banana and hydration break before moving onto Monks Kirby, Withybrook and finally to the Blue Pig at Wolvey for lunch. More hydration in the form of bitter and cider.
The return journey saw us head to Wolvey Heath to get onto Mere Lane which took us south over the Fosse Way to the turn to Claybrooke Parva. The route back to Lutterworth passed Palmers the Ullesthorpe Garden Centre where we again had a hydration stop. At this point the group split up with people going off in various directions to home or their cars. The weather was great and traffic reasonable so a good day out.
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
- Simon Over
Martins Arms, Colston Bassett
Ten Embers met at Melton on a beautiful hot day. VJ led us on another of his famous mystery tours aiming for as many hills as possible near the Vale of Belvoir. Starting at Melton Country Park we headed north to Scalford and Long Clawson where we had our banana break. After this we moved off to new pub at Colston Bassett called Martins Arms. Just outside the village Tim and Carol bought some Stilton cheese at the local creamery. You can read the reviews of the pub elsewhere on this site.
After lunch and couple of well-earned pints we headed back south via Kinoulton to the Old Wharf Tearooms in Hickling where Tim and Carol left us. The remaining eight went back to Long Clawson for a short break before tackling the road up to the top of the escarpment. There the party split again with Graham, VJ and Derek heading back to Syston with the rest of us returning to Melton.
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
- Simon Over
Steamboat Inn, Trent Lock
Eight Embers met at Holme Pierrepont. We took the usual route along the Trent on gravel cycle paths passing through Nottingham districts of Gamston, West Bridgeford and Clifton. The morning break was taken at the usual café before again following the Trent to lunch at the Steamboat Inn at Trent Lock.
The return trip followed the River Trent back the way we came till we reached Beeston where we followed the Beeston Canal tow path back through Nottingham and onto the Trent Bridge football ground. At this point we braved the delights of McDonalds where we had coffee and ice cream before heading along the Trent Valley Way back to Holme Pierrepont.
The morning brought some light drizzle but it cleared by the afternoon when it became warm and muggy.
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
- Simon Over
The Durham Ox, Shrewley
Seven Embers met in Kenilworth to ride little used lanes in fine weather. Skirting the south west of Kenilworth we headed south then west to the strangely named small villages of Beausale and Hasely Knob. From there we went south to The Durham Ox pub at Shrewley. Where do they get their names from?
Luckily the only rain that day happened during the lunch break. Thank you whoever organised that. The return to Kenilworth took us through Little Shrewley then north back to part of our outward route. Apart from the one village the return journey passed no other villages so the lanes were very quiet. Another great day out.
- Simon Over
Local Ride
What started out as recuperation ride for Richard became a mystery tour. Closed cycle paths and roads to nowhere made for an interesting ride. Had a good start as we called into a fellow Ember's (Dave's) and had tea and freshly baked muffins. Hard life this retirement lark.
- Peter Wright
A good workout today, tea & home made cake at Dave's. Tea and a scone at East Goscote nursery. I tried to do little detour on my way home, to make my days miles to 40, but fell short at 39 miles for Ricardo. Thank you to Grahame and Peter for being my carers today. Photo at East Goscote nursery.
- Richard Sleath
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
Red Lion, Spalding
Tony Bradley welcomed the Embers to Northborough, even though he was not well enough to join us for our lunchtime break.
Left to right: Tony Bradley, Ian Bower, Nigel Lines, John Ashworth, Derek Jordan.
Roll your mousewheel to zoom in.
We headed for Spalding by going in the opposite direction to Peakirk and then cycling 4½ miles on a rough track east to Crowland. We washed the dust from our throats with coffee at the Old Paper Shop, then crossed the bridge back west across the river and followed the Welland all the way to Spalding.
We took our lunch at the Red Lion before heading back with a big loop west through Tongue End and Baston to West Deeping and final refreshments at another Red Lion.
Local Ride
Lovely summers ride to Burbage Common. Extra carer for Richard after last week's poor show when Richard lost his gloves and coat. All back in one piece..
- Peter Wright
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.