2026 Cycling
Aprilclick for this month's league table
Blue Pig, Wolvey
Eight Embers met at Karter’s café in Lutterworth on lovely bright but cool morning. After the obligatory coffee we headed west up to Magna Park and over the A5 towards Pailton. After passing through the village we turned left to the Malt Kiln Farm shop for our banana break and another drink. Continuing on we went north to Monks Kirby then onto Withybrook and finally arriving at the Blue Pig in Wolvey for lunch. A number of decent beers were on offer but we could not try them all.
The afternoon return trip took us east via Wolvey Heath and Copston Magna to Claybrooke Magna where the party started to break up with one Ember carrying on east while the remainder headed south. After passing through Claybrooke Parva the remaining seven split up again at Ulverscroft garden centre. Four went east and the remaining three returned to Lutterworth after going through Bitteswell. The afternoon was in gorgeous sunshine leading to clothing layers and skull caps being removed across the board. Even the one puncture did not dampen the mood and a great day was had.
- Simon Over
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
The Plough, Wysall
Nine Embers met at Ian’s in Syston on a clear and sunny morning. Our outbound route today was roughly north going through East Goscote and Rearsby then up to Thrussington and Seagrave where the banana break was taken. After this we continued north to Six Hills and Wymeswold and reached our target of The Plough at Wysall where another Ember joined us, making ten for lunch.
The additional Ember was our route master extraordinaire Velo John who led us back south. We went back through Rempstone then Hoton past Prestwold and then stopped at Barrow on Soar for coffee at The Secret Garden café. The group began to separate at this point with three Embers taking different ways home. From Barrow the remaining seven crossed the River Soar to Quorn and then dropped Theresa off in Mountsorrel before the last six went back to Syston via Rothley.
No mechanicals or punctures and just a few minutes of rain towards the end of the ride so an almost perfect day.
- Simon Over
Sunday gave us another opportunity to discover more history of the city with Ride Leicester; this time, about the Roman period — for those Embers who couldn't remember that far back.
A sprinkle of rain towards the end of the tour didn't spoil the day. We scurried off to Silver Street Café before dashing home.
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
Overstone Arms, Pytchley
Seven Embers gathered today at East Carlton Park near Corby. The weather was kind being generally warm and overcast with no rain. The day took us up and down dale with over 2000ft ascended so a lot of hills. Speeds varied from over 30 mph to grinding back up out of the valleys. Our route started by going south to Pipewell then on to Desborough and coffee at the Revive Café run by a local cyclist. After coffee we continued south to Rothwell, skirted Loddington then went onto Broughton (pronounced BRA-ON by the locals). The last leg of the mornings ride took us to the Overstone Arms in Pytchely for a well-earned rest after the slog to get there.
The return journey, again led by VJ, went almost due north passing back through BRA-ON and up to Thorpe Malsor which we had to skirt due to roadworks. We had our banana break at this point before taking a closed off (to cars) road up to the A14. We then wended our way further north to Rushton and back to Pipewell and finally back to East Carlton Park. At this point the four who had cycled in from Weston by Welland left to return there.
A special note about Kathy who, including today, has ridden about 110 miles in the last 8 days. Very well done.
- Simon Over
Embers were riding in Northamptonshire today so Richard and I gave it a miss and did a local ride which included calling in to see an Ember who unfortunately is not able to cycle. Lovely Spring day full of Bluebells, Bird song and Blossom.
- Peter Wright
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
Mill on the Soar, Broughton Astley
Fifteen Embers gathered on a bright and sunny day at Huncote. Richard Stott was with us on his lightweight electric bike; a tasty EBCO machine. Our route today took us in the normal direction of Earl Shilton via Watery Gate Lane then onto Kirkby Mallory. We did not stop at Huggies but moved on taking the back road to Barwell then continued to Burbage Common. Our break was at the Acorns Coffee Shop where we sat outside in the glorious sunshine. After coffee we rode Burbage Common Road to Elmesthorpe and then onto Stoney Stanton before reaching our lunchtime destination of the Mill on the Soar pub on the Fosse Way.
Two Embers needed to get home early leaving just thirteen for lunch so Spike was called upon to join us and ensure good luck. After lunch the group split up again with seven heading back to Stoney Stanton then to Huncote with the remaining six riding towards Broughton Astley then Cosby and finally making their way home. An excellent day all round.
This week many Embers cycled miles between them.
- Simon Over
The route of our latest ride is shown on the index page map as a blue line.
Next Thursday
See index page
A possible route from here is shown on the index page map as a pink line.
Keep in contact using phones, email, SMS, WhatsApp group or Jitsi. Or via our Contact Centre.