The Friday Ride this time chose to go to Osea, on another brilliantly sunny, but cold, autumn day. Brian, Paul, Ian, Peter, Ron, Alan and I met at Marks Farm Tesco. Peter was keen to show us a shortcut for walkers heading towards Braintree town centre, so we set off down a footpath that eventually came out at Hay Lane North and Cressing Road. We pedalled along Cressing Road, down through Silver End and turned left to head towards Kelvedon. Seven is a lovely number for a bike group – we were usually pedalling in two groups of 3 and 4. We went straight across the railway line, across Kelvedon High Street and reached the bridge over the A12. This is the half way point to Osea, c10 miles. Here I

14 of us assembled on a cold, damp, still day on Drury Lane, ready to head north to Baythorne End. Mick took us out along Rayne Road, and turned right through the Health Centre and up the shared use footpath coming out at Tabor Academy. We pedalled down to Panfield, and most of us rode straight through Jaspers Green … except Ian, who fortunately had a couple of riders with him, as he punctured here. Here he became an associate member of the illustrious Puncture Club (full membership requires more than one puncture on a single bike ride!). We rode on to Shalford, and the lead group pulled over at the George, to reassemble. I am reluctant to stop at the bottom of any hill, so believing we were

Another lovely, bright, crisp, cold day for a bike ride. 33 of us gathered on Drury Lane, and Mick instructed us to split into 3 equal groups of 11. The middle group was led by Ian and tailed by Alan. We pedalled off through the market, down to Millennium Way, and turned left half way along, taking the dual-use path to Cressing Road. We crossed the park and came out on Clay Pits, near Marks Farm Tesco. We followed the main road, until it joined the A120, where we took the footpath to the left turn down towards Stisted. From Stisted we headed south, in brilliant sunshine, with the light bouncing off the wet road. I was glad I was wearing my sun visor, as the sun was low in the sky, and my bl

Eight of us turned up for the Sunday ride – Mick and Julia, and Ian and Gwen on tandems; plus Brian, Paul, Ron and me. It was cold and bright, and a glorious day for a bike ride. We pedalled off down London Road, and followed Route 16 briefly before turning right to pick up a short piece of Route 1 to Terling. Then we headed straight to Hatfield Peverel, passing the station, and turning left along the main road. We turned right onto the B1019, straight down to the Museum of Power for a tea break. From a conversation with Mick and Julia, it turns out that Mick built their tandem himself. The frame was bought from SJS, and was unusual in that it had been built for a tall pilot and short stoker

Wednesday 14 November was another lovely autumn day – chilly with bright sunshine. 37 Easy Riders departed Drury Lane, with one new rider, Richard, who needed a quick trip to Cycles UK, to get himself a new helmet, as he’s forgotton to put it on before he came out. We split into 3 groups of about 12 and pedalled off, with Ian leading and Diane tailing the middle group. We pedalled down the hill through Bocking, turning left at the college, then left again to Panfield, through Jaspers Green to Church End. Here we turned right, down the hill. This part of the road was in shade, and because the sunlight was not evaporating the overnight dew, the autumnal leaves had stuck to it and caution was

Mick’s latest destination for the Sunday ride was Trumpington, Cambridge. The Magnificent Seven were comprised of Mick, Ian, Paul, Brian, Chris, Peter and me. It was another idyllic ride on quiet, unclassified roads. We headed out due north up Panfield Lane through Jaspers Green, Church End and Shalford where we took our usual left turn to go through Walthams Cross to Finchingfield. We had a bit of a debate about what to wear on autumn days, the quote being “if you’re not too cold when you start an autumn bike ride, then you’re over dressed”. I believe in being able to shed layers as required – so today’s health & safety tip is to set out wearing a buff, windproof jacket and full gloves, and