Dodging the Showers 21/05/2025

Rather fewer than usual Easy Riders turned up today, probably because thundery showers were forecast. It started quite cold but soon warmed up.

I had a discussion with Andy O who, next week, is to ride a long-distance cross-country route. He starts in Lowestoft, and rides about 50-60 miles for 8 days on a supported bike ride, ending in St Davids in Wales. I’m deeply envious (but realistically completely unfit to even contemplate this tour!). We all will be following his progress, which hopefully he will post on social media for us. Ride strong, Andy. Ride strong!

The medium group headed north round Bocking Church Street, and Stisted to then cross the A120 heading east to Coggeshall. As we headed south, we passed Kings Seeds, with a wonderful aromatic field of sweet peas in full bloom. This area used to be known as the Seed Triangle and was where most of the UK seedsmen had their growing fields. As Braintree was the driest part of the UK, the seedsmen could be assured of being able to dry the seed correctly. Many UK seed producers have gone under, due to cheaper foreign imports, but the last remaining UK seed supplier is Kings, so if you want to be sure seed is suited to our local environment, try Kings.

The medium group shared their custom between Edon Coffee Bar, and Kelvedon Sandwich Bar. Conversation flowed well, and we spent ages there before heading back to Silver End. Gavin sagely observed he wished some car/van drivers knew the difference between the safe passing difference of 150 cm, and 150 mm.

Health & safety tip for the day is about how far to roll forward when moving into a layby to allow traffic to pass. Front riders need to go as far forward as is viable, in order to allow rear riders to get off the road. So, if someone calls out to ‘roll forward’, it’s because they are vulnerable to being hit from the rear!

Arriving home, rain was experienced by riders living on the east side of town and completely missed by people living near London Road. Apparently, the smell of rain on dry ground (admired by Peter S) is called petrichor (thank you Ann). The word "petrichor" comes from the Greek words "Petros" (stone) and "ichor" (the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods). Bet you didn’t know that!

Ann led us back via Black Notley. Rather than taking the track from Witham Road, we rode via the roads on the old hospital site, joining the Snakey Lane track to Dagnets Lane. Great new bit of route – well done Ann. We dispersed to our various homes from there.

26 miles. 8.7mph

Cathy MacTaggart