At the end of October every year, the Braintree Easy Riders have an extended ride to Hatfield Forest. It looked like a fantastic day for a long bike ride. As usual the Long group set off at 0930 from Weavers Park, followed by the medium group, at 0945. The short group had a different start point, from Tesco Great Dunmow, at 1045 led by Peter Milner, and where we were very pleased to see Bill Baker, who is steadily returning to ride-fitness, having had a break for a few week

18 Easy Riders have had a fantastic, sociable holiday, riding our bikes. Bill Twinn found us lovely self-catering cottages at Elm Farm, in Hubberts Bridge, near Boston. The first day’s riding was really windy, and we headed north, across open, empty fields. We crossed a drain, and arrived at Chapel Hill. When I looked at Strava, Chapel Hill is 10 feet above sea level, and this was only 3 feet (!) higher than all the land around it. To call it a hill seems to stretch the

Easy Riders assembled as usual in Weavers Park from about 0915 onwards. It was sunny, but cooler - just right for a bike ride. As I arrived, I noticed a new rider, Tim. I’d spoken to him a week or so previously at The Stores, when I had done a solo ride. We’re glad you’ve come to join us, Tim! The long ride set off, led by Gifford, tailed by Ian heading to the Snack Shack at Gosfield Lake (also the destination for the short ride). Andy C commented that they found every sig