This ride was organised in support of the Frank Haines Memorial Trust. The trust was set up in 2006, and the following extract from the trust’s website explains its objectives:

The Trust will support youth work in Tower Hamlets, the second most deprived borough in the UK, where 59% of children live in poverty. Health problems amongst young people are rife and life expectancy is significantly lower than the national average. Youth work provides a critical means of support, education and opportunity for young people who otherwise have precious few prospects in life.

Each year, the trust organises a major fund-raising activity – in previous years they had done a sponsored run and then last year they they joined an organised cycle ride.  When Wheelers found out about the trust and its aims we offered to plan and lead this year's rides for them locally.

With an expected turn-out of over 40 riders (in fact there were 57 on the day, so this was the largest Wheelers ride yet, narrowly beating last summer’s Glamour Ride), two routes were planned, with enough leaders that groups of 10-12 riders could be set up. Thanks to all those who volunteered to lead – in addition to the Wheelers (and Hackney Cyclists) team of Caroline, David (T), Bob, Neville, Nick, and Alex, we had assistance from the London Sustrans group (Tonia, Chris and Richard). As a Wheelers first, we also had Keith in a van, acting as support crew in case of break-downs.

We met at the Hutton Junction pub, Shenfield, where the landlady kindly opened early and served tea to the hordes of cyclists. Ride organiser Caroline dispatched the groups efficiently, and my team (of 14) set off on the short (35 mile) route, a circuit of Hanningfield reservoir, via Stock, then West and South Hanningfield. We were last off, and set a leisurely pace in the spring sunshine. We quickly reached open countryside, and rolled along for 15 miles to the first tea stop at the Tropical Wings Zoo near South Woodham Ferrers. From there, it was only an 8 mile ride to lunch, at the Fishing Lodge at East Hanningfield. This is a great café on the edge of the reservoir, which Wheelers have used before, but unfortunately, on this occasion it was so popular that it was pretty much full, and we had to switch to the local pub (the Windmill tavern) instead. As a result, lunch turned into a more leisurely affair than expected, and as we eventually left we got overtaken by one of the long ride groups, who had covered 20 miles more than us! They did have a ten minute head start though…

From East Hanningfield, we completed the lap of the reservoir, and headed west, eventually re-joining the outbound route near Stock. There’s a ford on the way, which is often impressively deep, but today it was rideable for those feeling brave. As I was on a Brompton, I think I’d have got submerged, so I chose the path instead, but most of the group took the plunge. Finally we arrived back at the Hutton Junction, at around 17:00, achieving a time of about 6.5 hours to do 35 miles! Definitely not sportive pace, but an enjoyable day on peaceful lanes with excellent views, and with the bonus of raising money for the trust.

Thanks to Caroline for a great deal of work in arranging this ride, to all the ride leaders, and to Keith for his backup services (which weren’t required in the event – there was a total of two punctures amongst all the riders on the day, and no other breakdowns). All agreed that it was a great day out, and hopefully we’ll repeat a similar event in the future.