2019 Cycling

Aprilclick for this month's league table

Rose and Crown, Hose

The eleven Embers who turned out for this ride luckily missed the snow that fell close to this area. We had a little sunshine to cheer up a biting wind as we set off from Melton into the Vale of Belvoir.

We found our way to the Rose and Crown in Hose where we enjoyed a superb lunch. Then it was back out into the cold to climb back up the escarpment towards base.

As we reached the last few miles a driver pulled up and asked if we wanted tea at the Country Park Cafe. "You bet!" The cafe is now being run by volunteers operating the Melton Space project and we were shown their budding facilities and invited to join.

Appleby Inn, Appleby Parva

Ten Embers gathered at Bosworth Heritage Centre in good spirits on a cold and overcast April morning.

We set off west and discovered Polesworth Abbey. St Edith didn't seem to be serving food from her historic kitchens so we pressed onward.

After a climb out of Austrey past Salt Lane radio tower we reached the Appleby Inn for our well earned lunch.

At the Appleby Inn. From L to R: John Muschialli, John Ashworth, Dave Parry, Peter Wright, Simon Over, Grahame Billington, Mick Ayriss, Ian Bower and Richard Clark.

On our return journey we didn't get quite as lost and we were blessed by sunshine and blue sky. We made a more direct route to Sutton Wharf for final refreshements before heading home.

Old White Hart, Lyddington

What a great day to cycle. A little cold to start for those who did the extra mileage but the majority of the day was superb. Of the 10 riders no less than seven biked there. Velo John, Derek and Richard S came in from Braunston in Rutland, Simon from Tilton on the Hill, Ian Jacques from Burton Lazars, and then Graham and Mick's son Andrew had a marathon ride in from Syston.

Having met at Manton we moved to the garden centre a mile to the east and after this arduous journey decided a coffee was in order whereby a route for the day was discussed. As agreed Velo John took us south to the Old White Hart at Lyddington via Wing, Glaston and Seaton. The food was generally fairly good although Richard C was very unhappy with the poor service and disjointed approach to providing his meal.

The afternoon was spent working our way north and back to the Café at the Rutland Water Garden Nursery via Preston, Wing and Lyndon.

Although the day sounds unremarkable it was generally a great day out with perfect weather and glorious scenery.

- Simon Over

Appleby Inn Appleby Magna

Twelve Embers met at Coalville to see how far we could cycle before we were rained on. We were lucky to get almost all the way to the Appleby Inn before we were caught by a shower that required waterproofs.

Our early return to Appleby Parva was partly due to the good value of their meals but mostly because we were meeting Tony Loach there.

We watched the worst of the rain pass over while we delayed our return with a selection of puddings.

We then returned over wet roads and under a black sky to the Insomnia Cafe in Coalville.

Now watch us wobble off into May.