2013 Cycling

May

The Scales, Lichfield

Nine riders started our from Donisthorpe for a brilliant day cruising the byways af west Leicestershire, south Derbyshire and east Staffordshire.

The way there seemed all downhill with the wind behind us on quiet country lanes, pausing for the obligatory banana break.

We reached the National Memorial Arboretum at 11.30 and had coffee and cake before exploring the gardens.

From the Arboretum eight riders continued west to Lichfield in search of a pub.

We had ridden off the map so Archie Stephens helped us find our way back out of Lichfield and put a photo of us on his Lichwheeld Blog.

Riders returned to start by 5.10 after covering a ... er ... gentle 36 miles.

The George and Angel, Crowland

No hills on today's ride from Tony Bradley's house. Brilliant sunshine and the wind behind us all the way to Spalding for coffee, cake and a blueberry cheesecake that Dave would not share.

That was the end of the best bit. The ride to Crowland and the George and Angel was against a stiff wind, sometimes blowing us onto the verge and very nearly into the cut. Mostly it was head on.

The four miles back to Market Deeping and Northborough rank as the toughest we have encountered. But we beat the rain, just!

Brampton Halt

A return to one of our early routes but this time riding the whole stretch from Harborough to Brampton. After last week today was a doddle.

Riding into tunnels wearing sunglasses is not a good idea. Bob does not recommend hitting a muddy pothole in the dark either.

Brampton Halt served suitably sized portions for lunch. The floor show was quite good as well.

After the ride we had refreshments at the leisure centre. The last snap shows Dave towelling off after a dip in a large cool drink.

Wheatsheaf, Thurcaston

For today's ride everyone set off from different locations and met up along the way: five of us at the Navigation Inn, eight cycling from Mush's and then met Val and Tony at the Bradgate Park cafe.

After refreshments at Bradgate we all set off for ... er ... more refreshments at the Wheatsheaf, Thurcaston.

We dodged the hailstorms and made a dash back to Mush's for ... er ... you guessed it. Jan forced us to drink tea and eat cakes until we could make a dash back to our start points between heavy rain showers.

Red Lion, Huncote

Eight Embers set off from Huncote and passed the Elephant and Castle. We pushed on into Earl Shilton for Mick to buy some bits at Supreme Motorcycles then on to Mallory Park.

The café at Mallory was closed for refurbishment (during TT week) so Ben lead the charge back to the Red Lion for refreshments and an early lunch.