Spring is Sprung 16/04/2025

It was a surprisingly cold morning when we assembled in Weavers Park. A few warm, mild days had lulled us into a false sense of security, and I was very glad I had brought extra layers. Mind you, there were plenty of robust riders who seemed very cheerful about wearing shorts and showing their legs to the sun!

The medium group headed off north via cycle paths and quiet roads to Jaspers Green and crossed Pods Brook on Boarded Barns Lane (just after Littles Lane). Here, my group confidently rode across, on the right-hand side, where you can see the concrete slabs are a good riding surface and the brook is only an inch or two deep. Because I am a wuss(!), I crossed by the footbridge, and photographed them, then walked my bike back to the road on the other side of the brook.

There was not much mud around, but what there was, was quite sticky. My front tyre was scuffing – not enough to stop and poke at it, but enough for me to ask Jim to clean under the mudguards when I got home (he’s a hero for maintaining my bike for me!). So, health & safety tip for the day, is to clean your bike when you’ve ridden through grot. Your bike will ride the better for it!

We wended our way round via Bardfield Saling to Blake End, where the café is under new ownership. Apparently, many of the leases at Blake End have recently come up for renewal, with consequent price hikes, and they have lost their fabric and wool shops, with the café expanding and other retailers coming in. I’m sad I’ve lost my local wool shop.

On the way back, my support rider needed to turn off before the end, and in the usual Easy Rider style, Kevin volunteered to sit on the back and ensure no-one fell off the back of the group. There’s always a volunteer if a job needs to be covered.

22 miles, average 9.8mph

Cathy MacTaggart