2024 Cycling
Novemberclick for this month's league table
Roebuck, Market Harborough
Ten embers went on a jolly today. That is jolly cold on jolly slippery roads. We met at Fleckney, seven having biked in from various parts. I am not sure meeting in the café called the Toast Office was conducive to a long ride but it certainly started the day off well. The outward route took in Saddington, Mowsley, and Lubbenham leading to lunch ay an old favourite pub The Roebuck in Market Harborough.
As we left the pub the police arrived but fortunately not for us. There seemed to be a heated domestic argument going on with fists flying but we managed to stay well out of it. The return journey went via Gartree prison but we did not get a lift there from the local constabulary, we had to bike it. The rest of the journey was through Foxton, Gumley and back via Saddington to Fleckney. An exciting day out.
This week Embers cycled .
Lime Tree, Whetstone
Not sure if the priority today was riding or conversation. Either way it was a good day out. Eleven Embers met at Huncote with a twelfth joining us for lunch. To ring the changes we did a different route today which was fortunate as the Red Lion could not fit us in for lunch. Our route took us via Croft and Sutton Elms to a coffee shop called Cupa Lou’s in Broughton Astley. The weather was good enough to stay outside, which we did. As we had to change the planned pub we headed to Whetston via Cosby to the Lime Tree Pub and sampled Sussex Best by Harvey’s. Nice pint.
Wishbone, who had cycled directly to the Lime Tree, led six of us back to Huncote, while the other five headed directly home. The route back was short going via Littlethorpe and Narborough.
This week Embers cycled between them.
Stilton Cheese Inn, Somerby
Undaunted by a frosty morning, five Embers climbed from Houghton to the Northern Cobbler cafe on the B6047 for a warming drink, then picked up (night)Marefield Lane from Tilton on their way to Somerby. After negotiating several fords along that track, two Embers came to grief on an icy stretch of road before reaching the Stilton Cheese.
After freewheeling back to Twyford, the Embers then climbed to the Welcome Cafe at Holland's Nurseries for more refreshments, leaving just enough time to return to Houghton in the last of the autumn light.
This chilly week Embers climbed, walked and slid for the shear hell of it.
Wheatsheaf, Crick
Another icy start this week. There was even more ice on the roads than last week but thankfully no one came off this time. Four Embers braved the weather this week with VJ, Derek and Nigel biking in from Peatling Parva and Simon parking locally. Given the ice it was always planned to take it easy today which suited Simon who was still recovering. The day started and ended at Karter's café in Lutterworth.
The route took us south through Swinford and Yelvertoft to Crick and a new pub, the Wheatsheaf. A good choice of ales with most preferring the Wainwright Amber. Food was also quite varied so in all a good find. By the time of the return journey most of the ice had melted so the run back was better. The route took us again via Yelvertoft then north east to Lilbourne, Shawell and finally back to Karter’s café.
- Simon Over
Friday was to be a solo ride but a few friends decided to join me on a ride down to Abbey Park. After coffee the Embers went off on an extended cycle ride.
- Peter Wright
This week Embers, on a scheduled Thursday and spontaneous Friday ride, cycled .