It was a grey, chilly morning and the weather report was not encouraging.  Nevertheless Richard and I set off from Mudchute to join the Essex Lanes ride - some 40 miles of medium terrain in a part of the country I had not been since I was a teenager.  It's a 30min cycle to Liverpool St station and what Richard might have guessed was that I was in no mood for a ride and was fully planning to turn back and drop him off at the station. On my last ride I had struggled with the hills, my knee had played up and I felt miserable always last to get to the top. Plus, my knee  was pretty sore again from a recent push on an unfamiliar bike with gears that were too high for me.

But, the weather held off and the gang were out in force - including Sandra in a stylish red poncho, Leigh with amazing purple shades ....and a fantastic story to tell.... and many more. ( But I missed Dave and Keith - they both really helped me on my first few rides. )  I cheered up immediately and we got our group train ticket to Stansted Mountfitchet at an amazing price of only £6.50 return.

Passing through scenes of my early childhood by train, we arrived to be met up by our leader, Steve.  He sorted out our first loos stop at a nearby caff, while Richard secretly stocked up on treats - a pork pie and a rocky road.   Sandra offered jelly bears!  Then we were off, in beautiful country lanes almost straight away.  The sky was huge, and the rolling landscape a muted palette of deep brown ploughed fields, dry pale bulrushes, dark bare trees, and scrubby hedges.  The little farms were often  thatched and mossy- sometimes with patterned decoration binding the gables, and the only traffic was above us, descending into nearby Stansted Airport. Deep green ponds of many sizes dotted the route - often with irritated ducks protesting as we skimmed past.

Our first stop was only 11 miles away in Thaxted, a pretty little town with a choice of cafes.  We piled into Parrishes - which had already been checked out and warned of our arrival by super-organised Caroline - and as usual eyed up the excellent cake menu. Fab - coffee cake, and a really moist nut-topped fruitcake.  A very friendly cocker spaniel called Coco made us extra welcome.

After coffee Caroline asked about my knee and suggested a slightly shorter route than the main party.  Four of us took to completely empty, swooping minor roads in peaceful countryside, with broad vistas as we reached the crests of some short but challenging hills.  I took Caroline's advice and made sure that I was pedalling faster than everyone while travelling at the same speed - less pressure on the knee. Richard was spotted eating his pie as he waited for us to reach the top.  Typical.  After 9 miles we came to Saffron Walden and spent a short time admiring their mysterious labrynth - at least 500 years old and looking very pre-Christian - and quite small even though it is a mile long.

Lunchtime was spent at Mocha's Cafe - very efficient service and everyone enjoyed their meals.  My Lincolnshire sausages weren't really, just ordinary snaggies, but still good hot fare.  Opposite a Little Wool Shop with some fantastic yarns - well worth a future visit...Cornish organic?...mmm...those of you who knit will understand...

The main troupe went on but Caroline's gang - now 5 of us- again took a less pressured route through some very beautiful countryside and after about 5 miles found ourselves at Audley End Station, at around 3.30pm.  We were very happy, not too tired, and we had done quite a few hills.  But probably not enough to burn off the cake....

So, thanks to Steve for leading, Caroline for taking the splinter group, and everyone for the great company.  And you'll have to ask Leigh about her story - I daren't print it in case there is legal action!