Fifteen riders gathered in the town for our second Friday longer ride. We headed to Takeley railway station via Rayne, Felstead, North End, Lt Canfield. I think our back marker rider today must have eaten too many pies before we set out as he was off the pace, weren't you Paul. Drinks and food were consumed at the station with the prices reflecting the year that the railway track closed, very cheap, so our back maker had two pieces of cake, there may have been more secretly eaten. After departure we headed to Bambers Green, Molehill Green, Broxted, Gt Easton, Lindsell to Saling airfield for light refreshments. Peter Short was on his slicker stead and was flying along, to the extend that whe

27 gathered for today's ride to Cressing Temple for refreshments. The weather was good, although the forecast was for showers at 12. We hoped they wouldn't appear. That said, the wind that has been around for the last couple of weeks was still there - strangely enough which ever way you cycled it was seldom with you! We set off out towards Freeport, with a quick stop where Mick reminded us all about the need to consider others and just make sure we look back, particularly at junctions, to ensure those behind can see which way to turn. And then we were off to Cressing where we spilt in to two groups following initially the same stops - Perry Green and Silver End, with the longer group also co

The weather forecast was not ideal for our ride today, but sometimes they do get it wrong. Unfortunately this time they were right! We set off towards Stisted through Greenstead Green and up by Earls Colne Airfield. Whilst we had split in to two groups at Stisted, spookily we joined up again at the bottom of Nightingale Hall Road - is that good planning? The stop was all arranged at Olivers Nursery Black Horse cafe. A couple of our riders missed the turning, so please ensure you check behind you to make sure they can see where you have turned. Credit to the cafe staff as 28 cyclists descended in short order and they served us quickly. Food and drinks good value. The weather had been fine up

On a beautiful spring day twenty seven riders embarked up a figure of eight ride with Bocking the centre piece. We departed and headed for Panfield where the ride split into our usual two groups, one further and pacier ride via Shalford, Rotten End, Beazley End lead by Gifford and supported by Bill T, whilst the shorter slower group headed for Jaspers Green, Codham Mill (and the challenging hill) led by Mick and supported by John Sharman, before arriving at Bocking. The refreshment stop was a new venue for us, Bocking Village Club, a venue the group are using for the Christmas Meal in December (see Peter Short for details). The arrangements were slightly different where unlimited tea and cof

It is rumoured that 60 years ago a baby was born that would change the face of cycling in Braintree. To date no one knows who that person is, but strangely enough on a wet and miserable morning, Mick's bike sprouted a balloon. Mick did look a bit surprised and we did wonder if maybe we had got his age wrong and he was expecting one with a 7 on it! After the required badge pinning ceremony and happy birthday rendition, 26 of us set off to the Blue Egg in the rain. (Disappointing given the forecast was rain at 1pm not 10am.) We all headed towards Panfield and stopped at the Bakers Arms to split in to 2 groups. I took the longer route heading off towards Jaspers Green, Shalford and on to Great

Just under three weeks to the first day of Spring, but have to say the weather was very kind - mild, dry and a bit sunny at times. This plus it being the first day of March tempted 28 riders out to tackle whatever Mick had in mind. We headed off down London Road and on to Great Leighs, however we took some detours through fields (he does like the offroad stuff) and housing estate (much better than riding along Main Road). Here we split in to two groups. General direction was Littley Green, Causeway End and on to Felsted for a well deserved coffee and cake. Lovely tea shop - salt caramel brownie was gorgeous. We headed back towards the A120, but then took a bridleway that connected with the