Not my Best Ride 06/08/2025

With the fine weather, plenty of Easy Riders turned up at Weavers Park. Andy (from the short group) and Molly the dog, turned up with his motorised scooter, which assists him as he’s had recent abdominal surgery. This machine attracted a lot of attention from our petrolhead-types, and several of them had a test drive on it, with much enthusiasm being expressed.

The medium group headed down to the Braintree station … and my rear tyre felt decidedly soft, so I decided to head off home down the Flitch Way, change to my grey bike, and meet the group down at Paper Mill Lock. I threw my bike in the shed, dragged out the grey bike, leapt on it, made half a pedal revolution, discovered the bike seat was 2” higher than usual … and promptly fell off! I jarred my wrist and neck and wrenched my ankle. I was going nowhere!

So, this week, I have 2 health & safety tips for you. First – check your bike the day before you go out with the Easy Riders to make sure it’s fit to ride! The other tip comes from my optician. My eye test showed I need new glasses – but riding your bike is good for your eyesight. This is because you have to change focal depth much more than when you are indoors. Looking down the road, then down at your immediate path gives your eye muscles good exercise and is in natural light.

After my lunch, I recovered my resolve, got on my bike (with its reinflated tyres) and happily pedalled down to Paper Mill Lock. Although I think the café does good sandwiches, I fancied ice cream - and I loathe Magnums (skimmed milk and additives). I discovered there is a Saffron ice cream stall just beyond the café and the lock gates. Ace ice cream made from local whole milk, honey, lavender, blackberries, rum etc, with weekly seasonal variations – both ginger and Rum & raisin were yummy. Well worth a try.

27 miles. 10.6 mph. Hopefully my next ride will be in the company of the Easy Riders!

Cathy MacTaggart