Sunday Ride to Marden Ash 16 November 2014

A dank misty November day did not enthuse me as I got the bike out of the garage but I was pleased to find 8 people at the start including Mel from the SEE Group. With the planned elevenses stop only about a 30 minute ride from Chelmsford it was helpful that Dave S had worked out a route which stretched this to more like 1hr 30 minutes.

We set off through the southern suburbs of Chelmsford but soon reached countryside, and true to form Dave found some interesting off-road sections to add a bit of variety.  The Strava route (see link below) is the best way to see where we went, but after one puncture delay we reached the Bakehouse at Cooksmill Green.  This was our first visit and we were well-pleased with the surroundings and the fare on offer. Chris M joined us for elevenses and we were also pleased to meet a couple of other 40plus CC riders there.

Dave then found another circuitous route to lunch at Ongar. On the way we met the SE Essex group travelling in the opposite direction resulting in an impromptu social gathering.

Two CTC Essex Groups meet in the middle of nowhere

The intended lunch stop at The Stag had to be changed – the all too familiar ‘Sunday roasts only’.  So we patronised the Two Brewers in Ongar which we can certainly recommend.  After lunch light rain had set in to add to the gloomy weather so we headed back via Hook End and Blackmoor where Dave S had a puncture.  Some stopped for tea in Blackmore but with the weather deteriorating Mel and I carried on back to Chelmsford.

I covered 41.5 miles.  My Strava record is here: http://www.strava.com/activities/219879231

Martin

Sunday Ride to Elsenham 9 November 2014

The heavy overnight rain had eased and 9 of us left the Town Hall as the sun broke through.  Diana led us through the Chignals to High Easter and then through Little Canfield after which we observed a two minute stop and silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.  Two walkers passed by and we heard one asking the other what we might be doing.  The woman looked at her watch and held her finger over her mouth indicating that he should stop talking!

Ready to go again after 2 minute silence

After elevenses at Elsenham Golf Club where we were joined by Peter T, we headed for The Stag at Little Easton for Lunch.  We had intended to have lunch at the Leather Bottle at Pleshy but having called them from Elsenham we were told they were only doing Sunday roasts. Another one off the list!

We had our lunch on the picnic tables in warm sunshine and then headed back to High Easter for tea at Lodges Café which has been refurbished and is now open until 4pm on Sundays. An excellent new tea stop in an ideal location which I am sure we will be using frequently from now on.

We returned to Chelmsford having covered just over 50 miles.

Here is the link to my Strava record: http://www.strava.com/activities/217345831

Martin