Another Ride to Finchingfield
19 June 2004
Another Saturday morning, June 19th 2004, and I am up with the lark. Gary has decided that we must do a long ride so at 06:45 Owen and myself have joined him on the Green Bridge. This time, for a change, Gary says that we have to do the whole ride; apparently, we have missed parts on previous attempts.
As there are only three we set off, promptly, without the obligatory faff, and soon are spinning through the lovely streetscape of east London and into the glories that are Essex. The route is slightly different this time as we divert at Woodford and miss the Three Jolly Wheelers pub.
Miles pass by, mainly uneventfully, apart from a brief rest at Grange Hill to admire the view of Docklands, until a well-earned halt at Norton Heath allows us to consume a hearty breakfast. Only 26 miles done at this stage but the speed has been brisk due to the well-matched nature of the small group.
Eventually, after 67 miles, we get to the welcoming Red Lion at Finchingfield, having included the previously missed loop that takes us to the north before returning to our lunch halt. The usual hearty fare is speedily served and well received by our hungry group and we are soon on our way back into London. We had noted that the old codger who seemed to be a permanent fixture in the Red Lion was not there so we asked gently what had happened, fearing the worst. The barmaid explained that he had merely transferred his custom, as he was becoming a nuisance. I suppose when you see the same face day after day it does become wearing. A bit like marriage, says the recently divorced writer.
The pre-lunch session seemed into a headwind so it was surprising that we were still riding into the wind on the return. That must be one of the immutable laws of cycling. If you don't know what they are, try asking Gary who is sure to have many more than I know. We did have to make an unexpected halt before leaving Finchingfield when the ducklings, from the village pond, had to be allowed to cross the road.
Speedily back into London we went and apart from a brief shower as we passed through Chigwell the ride proceeded remarkably well. Only the writer held up the speedy Gary and Owen but all too soon the ride was over and several pints were quaffed to wash the dust of Essex and Hertfordshire from our wheels.
Scorecard for this ride:
Mileage: 117
Riders: 3
Strays picked up: 0
Riders lost: 0
Punctures: 0
Breakdowns: 0
Detours: 0
Enjoyment quotient: Very high
Wind: Moderate
Ken Peters
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Gary and Owen take an early break at Grange Hill
Village green and ducks at Finchingfield
Sign on toll house at Willingale
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