Hottest day of the Year 13/08/2025

Because the forecast was for temperatures to peak at 31C, had I not been Ride Leader, I would probably have stayed at home, to avoid the heat. But such are the joys of ride leader, I had to step up to the mark. As someone with red hair, blue eyes and white skin, I’m evolved to live in a cold half-light, and struggle with excessive heat and light!

The medium group split into two, with some riding with Ann on a slightly shorter, flatter and generally gentler route to Mrs Salisbury’s at Marks Hall, and my group routing via Beazley End, Gosfield, and Leeches Lane, before taking the track into the west side of Marks Hall.

Health & safety tip for the day is to spread out when riding towards a hazard. I stopped the group at the top of Leeches Lane on the south side of Halstead, to warn them it is a steep, narrow lane, with plenty of debris, plus potholes on the left and plenty of gravel at the bottom. If one person comes off, the last thing they need is someone following too close to fall on top of them. It also indicates the importance of the recce ride. I’d originally planned the route via a field track that slopes consistently down to Greenstead Green, but it was so rough, I jarred my neck quite badly. So, the route ended up with extra hills as we had to cross Bourne Brook twice before reaching Greenstead Green. Sorry!

Interesting fact for the day was from Tracy, who told us her father and grandfather worked as weavers at Courtaulds. One had woven silk wall coverings which she saw on a recent visit to one of the royal palaces. The other was a silk velvet weaver where the skill level of the work was such that only a couple of inches a day could be woven.

We pedalled back on the track, then rode via Burtons Green and Bocking Church Street back to Braintree.

26.5 miles. 9.4 mph.

Cathy MacTaggart