2019 Cycling

Mayclick for this month's league table

George Inn, Brixworth

Eleven Embers embarked from Harborough Leisure Centre and headed south to find new routes to old pubs.

Again we avoided rain and enjoyed some sunshine on our way to Brixworth and the George Inn.

Alas, we didn't quite make it all the way back in sunshine. For the last three miles we had torrential rain that gave us a good soaking and caused some localised flooding in Harborough.

Trent Lock, Sawley

Nine foolhardy Embers gathered at Holme Pierrepont on a dull and overcast day to see how far we could get before it rained. We set off on the well worn tracks alongside the River Trent.

The Boathouse Cafe is located about half way along our route so we paused there in lieu of a banana break.

We then continued upstream until we reached Trent Lock where we loitered over lunch and puddings.

Our ride back took us through the centre of Nottingham on the Beeston and Nottingham canal. The rain caught us up so we took our belated banana break under a convenient bridge while we donned waterproofs. We finished the day with refreshments at Desperate Measures which wasn't far from the truth.

Royal Horse, Leamington

Ah, the weather we've waited for. Bright sunshine just the right temperature for cycling. Nine Embers set out past Draycote Water onto the Lias Line to Leamington Spa.

Without any delay we made for the Royal Horse and a well earned lunch. Then to Jephson Park for obligatory ice creams.

We then retraced our route back beside the Grand Union Canal and along National Cycle Route 41.

Moorhen, Peterborough

Just six Embers on this ride that started from Northborough, specifically at Tony Bradley's house. Every bit as sunny as last year's ride but without the risk of heat stroke.

Much of the ride followed the Green Wheel cycle path, keeping us away from traffic as Richard Clark guided us on a well researched route.

We met Tony at the Moorhen as we did last year.

Richard then guided us back to Rippons Drove much more confidently than the last time when we became deleriously disorientated, possibly due to the heat. Definately not the beer.

In the meantime, on our western flank, three Embers started from Mercia Marina and cycled into Staffordshire. At Abbots Bromley they lunched at the Coach and Horses. So we were campaigning on two fronts.

Brewery Tap, Burton-on-Trent

This week nine Embers proved that we can organise a pedal to a brewery. After meeting at Donisthorpe we took to the cycle track for the first part of the ride to the Brewery Tap at Burton-on-Trent.

Our return ride included a detour due to getting lost in the woods but we found our way to YHA National Forest centre for ice creams.

Now see what adventures we shared in June.