It was superb last Sunday, a beautiful day out on the bike.
We started out with six riders, picking up another on the way up Lea bridge road making a magnificent seven! Our route today was clockwise around Bishops Stortford.
We stayed together until Albury near Much Hadham in Hertfordshire where Stuart & John turned back for home.
The rest of us carried on and traveled across to Thaxted via the pretty village of Ugly, in the process we discovered the route we're most likely to use for another future CCH ride 'The Round Bishops Stortford' (
see the route). Crucially we found a way to avoid Stanstead (Mordor-the land of shadow) airport by using the B1051 into Thaxted. This rolling road is handsome with great views from the rises, it was relatively traffic-free and when we reached the picturesque town with its spire & windmill we stopped here for some time travel, tea and bites in a Tudor age cafe.
After this, we headed back by the shortest route via Great Dunmow, Leaden Roding and Epping.
I think we covered about 160k in the end, arriving back just before dark. I felt it when I got in and the others did really well because they have not been out so much lately. However, they said to me that they'll be out again next Sunday if not before - Looking forward to seeing you all on the road again very soon.
Next Sunday 24th February, if the weather is fine again, we are planning to reconnoiter the CCH's 1st
'Round Chelmsford' route which is to run on Sunday, April 6th 2008.
This is another ride of about 90m. There are plenty of opportunities to turn back on this route but it is an interesting journey, you may not want to miss any of it. New riders wishing to join us on Sundays please feel welcome and do not be put off by the distance or speed. We have a range of abilities going out together and we are able to divide into groups that are comfortable for all to ride in.
FYI Cycling Club Hackney is soon set to affiliate with British Cycling and will then be ready to start an official CCH membership process. Keir Apperley (CCH coach & secretary)
