2017 Cycling

Novemberclick for this month's league table

Stilton Cheese Inn, Somerby

Twelve Embers started November in fine style, tackling the hills with Gusto™ until that ran out; then they had to fall back on their usual bananas.

Excellent timing brought us to the Stilton Cheese Inn Somerby crack on twelve noon where we were given a room to ourselves - probably for the comfort of the other patrons.

Our ride back, via the summit of Burrough Hill, took us thankfully to Viaduct View Tea Rooms where again we had a room to ourselves - because we were the only ones there.

The Elms, Lutterworth

Ten Embers out on a cool day, soon warmed uphill from Cosby to Broughton Astley. From there we made rapid progress to our 11 O'clock banana break.

We made such good progress that we had time to continue on a new route through Misterton and still reached The Elms in Lutterworth bang on midday. Mush does like his carvery and we were all well served.

Our ride back was only slightly delayed by a puncture and then we cycled west to join the Fosse Way along a muddy track. We can imagine Roman legionaries cursing in Latin. We used Anglo Saxon.

Any-road-up, we were soon back at the Nook Café in Cosby for our coffee and cake.

Appleby Inn, Appleby Parva

Today we were joined by a new Ember when Alex Cuducz volunteered to join us on the spur of the moment. Someone admitted that we don't ride very fast and Alex immediately responded "Yes, I can tell that." We knew then that he'd fit in perfectly.

The day started bright but rain predicted for midday so we made straight for the Appleby Inn and arrived at 11.30am, early even for us. Tony Loach had driven down to meet us and was already there. Rain began as soon as we were inside.

Our route back was a mystery tour in search of St Josephs Tea Rooms but most of us became despondent and retired disgracefully to Coalville without reaching coffee and cakes.

Bulls Head, Clipston

If we believed the weather forecasts we'd miss bright and sunny days like this. Twelve Embers headed into a chilling wind and even the hills hardly warmed us up.

We made slow progress today and doubled back to the Bulls Head at Clipston for lunch.

Despite only covering ten miles before lunch there seemed little enthusiasm to find more hills to climb. We freewheeled back down to Market Harborough for coffee in the Leisure Centre.

The Greyhound, Burton on the Wolds

Nine Embers were determined to break out of the laziness of last week and headed off on a bright and freezing morning heading north from Syston. Our wandering eventually took us to The Greyhound in Burton on the Wolds for lunch.

From there we headed home as directly as we could, apart from the compulsory slog down a muddy track. We knew Ian had baked cake for our return.

Where we went in the Festive Season.