Short Ride to the Blue Egg, Great Bardfield, 19/08/2026

1 day ago
2 min read

Ride Details

Date	Wednesday 19th August 2026
Meet	10 am Weavers Park, Braintree
Cafe Stop	Blue Egg
Distance	Approximately 22 miles in total
Pace	Easy social pace at 9.7 mi/h.
Ride Leader	Mike V supported by Peter R
Weather	Cloudy, 18-20C. Humidity 83%. Wind 10.3 mi/hr from W.
Elevation	958 ft gained with 350 ft Max Elevation

About the Ride

This was a relaxed short ride to the Blue Egg café; a hillier route than normal, riding on local roads and quieter lanes as well as several bridleways. Today was also to be a little different as we would meet up with the long and medium riders at the Blue Egg – certainly, something to look forward to.

Our group of 10 plus leader and support rider set off from Weavers Park on time. Mike’s route to the café at Great Bardfield took us via Bocking, Panfield, Jasper’s Green, Shalford Green, Waltham’s Cross, and we returned to Braintree via Great Saling, Duckend Green and Rayne.

Once again there was little bird song as we cycled through the countryside. My highlight was a pair of Common Buzzards wheeling high in the sky, first noticed by their cat-like mewing (kee-yaaa) calls. These medium birds of prey are now common in Essex. Soaring over mixed woodland and near river valleys they are distinguished from Red Kites by their broader wings and short, broad fan-shaped tails.

The short ride’s gentle pace allows for such observations during quieter moments. However, listening and seeing are fundamental riding skills, whether safely following the rider in front, reacting to the support leader’s warnings of approaching traffic or, simply appreciating both nature and surroundings as we cycle through the landscape.

We were not the first riders to arrive at the Blue Egg; several hilly climbs possibly had something to do with this! It was great to see and socialise with the other groups. Before leaving, everyone took part in a group photograph to record the occasion.

Overall, it was great seeing the BER riders we do not normally meet on rides; normally each ride goes to a different location and café.

Our ride was at a comfortable pace, with fewer drink stops than normal thanks to the cooler weather. Most importantly, we all enjoyed riding a well thought out route by our Ride Leader and meeting our fellow riders. As a bonus, the forecast rain did not materialise!