ESSEX RIDE OUT.

MONDAY 3rd MAY 2010.

There were 8 of us on the ride out today. Ken, Nigel, Phil, Barry, Chris, Nikolay, Marian and myself (Roland).

This ride out was supposed to have happened yesterday, but because of the forecast bad weather it was postponed until today.

On the way to the club I rode through a small hail shower on the M25, which quickly started and stopped.
When I got to the club Barry and Nikolay were already there. Barry was buying a coffee and Nikolay waiting for a meal.
The others on the ride then quickly started to arrive. We all had a drink before I explained the route.
When I mentioned Billericay Nikolay asked me if I said Belarus, poor lad must be home sick!
We then got ready and then we set off on the ride.

The route I had planned to get us to South Hanningfield Reservoir was via Theydon Bois station, Abridge, Passingford Bridge, Stapleford Abbotts, Coxtie green, Wyatts Green, Blackmore, Highwood, Loves Green, Edney Common, Chelmsford, Gallywood, Stock, Billericay, Crays Hill, Ramsden Bellhouse, Downham and finally South Hanningfield Reservoir.
Coming up to Coxtie Green we hit a small hail shower again which didn’t last long at all, I think we caught the edge of it. It was looking a bit black ahead as we approached Downham, but it didn’t drop anything on us.

We had something small to eat and drink in the café beside the reservoir. It was a very nice café, well worth using again in the future.

We then set off on the return trip coming back via Rettendon, Howe Green, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Roxwell, Margaret Roding, Leaden Roding, White Roding, Hatfield Heath, Sheering, Harlow Mill, Eastwick, Stanstead Abbotts, Roydon, Broadley Common, Epping Green, Epping.
Ken and Nigel peeled off at Hatfield Heath and went onwards to Sawbridgeworth.
Marian and myself peeled off just outside Epping and went home via Theydon Bois.
Barry, Phil Nikolay and Chris all went to Mins Tea Hut for further refreshments.

Everyone told me during the day that they were enjoying the run and the selection of roads used.

The weather wasn’t bad during the run as we seemed to miss the worst of the showers that we could see around us.
No one had any mishaps of any nature.

All in all it was a very good ride out. Well done everyone.

PS : I shall be writing to Billericay Council to ask them to twin their town with Belarus. Watch this space.

Compiled by : Roland.