Setting off at 6.30am from the Green Bridge, eleven intrepid riders embarked on a day in the saddle around the country lanes of Essex. The aims were to cover 125 miles to celebrate the CTC's 125th anniversary and before that the comparative doddle of 25 miles for the LCC's 25th anniversary.
Ride leader Gary took us out east on the Mile End Road to start a 100 mile loop beginning at the Three Jolly Wheelers pub in Redbridge. Off we went with sunny skies and a strong tailwind.
We got our problems out of the way early on when first five missed a turning so adding some extra miles to their total, then not long after our one and only puncture and then immediately a broken spoke but the wheel was to hold out. After that it was a matter of eating up the miles and enjoying the countryside.
Alix had a theatre matinee to get to so left us near Braintree to get a train back to London. The rest headed on up north reaching Finchingfield after about 60 miles for a welcome lunch at the very welcoming Red Lion pub.
The miles went by slowly after our stop with us gradually turning into the south westerly wind. The 80 mile mark came up and Alex and Tom decided to head for the nearest train station. The remaining eight ploughed on south into the headwind with the short sharp hills now often posing a real challenge but nothing we couldn't overcome with the help of much munching of sugary snacks. (Colin let us in on the secret powers of Werther's Originals!)
The 100 mile mark from the Green Bridge came roughly around the village of Adbridge. That felt good! Not long after and we were back at the Three Jolly Wheelers and that felt even better! Just the final slog along the main roads back to Mile End remained. The final mileage was about 110 miles - not quite the 125 but adding in people's journey's to the Green Bridge some were getting closer, especially Karen and Gary having come from south of the river. After 14 hours out on the road this distance meant personal bests for Jim, Karen, Steve, Colin and Owen.
We said our cheerios and thankyous to Gary for organising the day as some headed for home while others headed for a celebratory beer or three...
A totally excellent day and I certainly got a real sense of achievement as well as, not surprisingly, a complete sense of knackeredness the next day. I would thoroughly recommend a challenge like this if only to then make the more normal regular distance rides seem like a ride to the shops. Now to get ready for the Dunwich Dynamo...
Owen
