2025 Cycling
Augustclick for this month's league table
Bell Inn, Whittington
We started off as a splinter group of the Embers riding with Richard after his health scare. On our ride to Market Bosworth we seem to be more a branch as numbers increase each week.Lovely overcast warm day in a beautiful part of Leicestershire.
- Peter Wright
The scheduled ride began from Donisthorpe and wandered westward between three counties and four OS maps. We took our banana break in the St Matthews church yard at Haston, a popular stop for cyclists as two other groups also paused there.
Four Embers reached the Red Lion in Whittington and remained sober enough to find a shorter route back that only needed one map.
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
Oadby Owl, Oadby
Nine Embers met at ASDA near Abbey Park. All biked in from various locations. As we met in the ASDA coffee shop we were forced to start the day with a coffee but resisted the cakes. Suitably refreshed the journey began by heading south to Abbey Park itself then onto the Grand Union canal till we got to the Holiday Inn. Just past the A47 we turned off and made our way to Victoria Park where we watched the Arch of Remembrance (Cenotaph) being cleaned. The route then joined the A6 which was followed to Oadby and a pub called the Oadby Owl.
After a meal and a few ales we followed Dave Parry along the A6 back into Leicester centre past the railway and bus stations. We then headed back to Abbey Park coffee shop via Charles Street and Belgrave Gate. At the coffee shop the group split up and made their way home. The forecast rain never arrived and the sky was cloudy which kept temperatures down. Another good day out.
- Simon Over
The Bustard Inn and two bustards out
John and I went off to Lincolnshire to find some new roads. We parked in Woolthorpe in Colsterworth. We stopped at Hatties in Corby Glen for coffee, then made our way to the Bustard Inn South Rauceby for lunch. On the way back, we had an ice cream in a petrol station on the A1 before arriving back to the cars.
- Nigel Lines
Enjoyable ride with Peter in South Leicestershire countryside, with elevenses at new cafe in Broughton Astley.
- Richard Sleath
Life's a beach and then you dive
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
Royal Horse, Warwick
Eleven Embers gathered at Cock Robin Wood near Rugby today. For a nice change it was cool enough for coats to start and stayed pleasant all day. The ride was full of incidents with two punctures and a derailleur issue. Thankfully Dave Parry was on hand to help out..
Left to right, standing: Nigel Lines, Richard Clark, Derek Jordan, John Ashworth, Peter Wright, John Muschialli, Tim Wicks, Ben Crossley, Simon Over, Ian Bower. Kneeling: Dave Parry.
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The route was one we have done before taking us by Dunchurch and Draycote Water to Birdingbury then further west along quiet roads to Royal Leamington Spa. Lunch was at the pub the Royal Horse where we arrived a bit late at 12.50.
The return journey was the reverse of the outward one. A lot of the route both ways was off road which accounted for the punctures. Great to see so many out and about today.
- Simon Over
A local ride with Richard Sleath. Met at Kirby Muxloe. Cycled to Bradgate Park, then onto Rothley Station for tea and cake, via Cropston Reservoir. Returned via Cossington. Rode with Richard to Thurcaston Road. Returned to Syston via Watermead Park.
- Grahame Billington
Still with some energy after Thursday's long ride, five Embers joined Ride Leicester's Stomp round the north collection of elephants raising donations for Loros. We were pleased to have Kathy back in the group, earning a few miles to add to our total. We also crossed paths with Karl and Debbie Biddle, present day Leicester Phoenix MCC members.
Following a successful elephant hunt, we retired to Silver Street Cafe for Sunday lunch, then sauntered home with our trophies. Can anyone recommend a good taxidermist?
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
John Thompson Inn, Ingleby
Ten Embers met at The Bulls Head car park at Thringstone on a lovely clear day but with rain forecast after noon. VJ led us north to Worthington via Osgathorpe and Griffydam to get onto the Cloud Trail which we followed up to Melbourne. There we branched off to Ingleby where we had lunch at the John Thompson Inn & Brewery. The morning was very enjoyable but uneventful apart from great scenery and one puncture which Grahame fixed over lunch.
As we came out of the pub the heavens opened so we dashed back inside till it passed. The journey back to Thingstone took us north again alongside the river Trent to Swarkstone to join the Trent & Mersey canal and then south on the towpath for a mile and a half to get back onto the Cloud Trail. At this point the heavens opened again so we sheltered under a railway bridge and managed to avoid most of the rain yet again. At Worthington we took a new route for most of us, directly to Osgathorpe where the group split and we journeyed our separate ways home.
- Simon Over
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.