CycleChat Ride - 2 May - Manningtree/Colchester/Tiptree (i.e. north-east Essex)

[iLB]

gif not gift!

Have one of these on me!

whats a gif?

i know what cif is...

 

[Aperitif]

You're nuts ilovebikes!

 

[Auntie Helen]

this is my depiction of the FNRttAH in emoticons...

You should have left that one out! Can't be having rain for my ride!

It's a long way to Manningtree by road, by the way. You lot are very brave, considering riding it!

 

[Auntie Helen]

I'm wondering if this ride might be the opportunity to pop my century cherry, seeing as I'll do about 60ish (getting to the ride and doing it) and might be able to persuade some nice chaps to bear me company for another forty or so (flat miles, on the Tendring Plateau). Does that appeal to anyone?

 

[stevevw]

Oh yes it does. And you/we can back it up the next weekend in Suffolk.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Oh yes it does. And you/we can back it up the next weekend in Suffolk.

Well I'm aware of that ride, of course, but I'll have done ±75 miles the day before so wasn't sure if I'd make the 100 that day. Plus I don't want you and FFFF to be polite and wait for me so I can do the 100 with you if you wanted to really open the throttles and test your speed. If I get the 100 done the week before then hopefully I can let you chaps enjoy the Suffolk Sunrise at your optimum pace and maybe just do the 50 that day.

 

[ChrisKH]

Is anyone game enough to work out if I'll break a 100 if I cycle to/from Benfleet for this ride? I need some form of motivation (for the 100). And a reason to ask for an AWOL card from the Missus.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Hi Chris,

The route from my part of the world to Thundersley was 45 miles (although I went wrong a couple of times, it would probably have been 41 if I could read maps more effectively). Unfortunately for you the route for the CC ride is backwards as far as you're concerned, i.e. starting north and going south, then back north. If you did the ride to Manningtree, then down to Tiptree, then back up to Manningtree, then down home again, I expect that would be about 120-130 miles. If you did the ride to Manningtree, then went off home from Tiptree (i.e. left us halfway) it would be just under 100, I think.

I really liked the ride from Manningtree to Maldon but after Rettendon it wasn't very pleasant (Rayleigh Hill was a horror, the roads were really busy too) but you may know of better routes than I did at the time!

 

[stevevw]

Well I'm aware of that ride, of course, but I'll have done ±75 miles the day before so wasn't sure if I'd make the 100 that day.

Are you planning to ride to Suffolk? You will have to change your name to Aperitif Helen if you keep doing all these miles.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Not riding to Suffolk, although Woodbridge isn't that far away. It's an easy half hour drive and a fairly unpleasant ride along the A137 towards Ipswich (the pretty scenic route is nice but very hilly and much longer). Plus I'm not sure I want to ride home on my own afterwards, might be a let-down.

 

[ChrisKH]

Hi Chris,

The route from my part of the world to Thundersley was 45 miles (although I went wrong a couple of times, it would probably have been 41 if I could read maps more effectively). Unfortunately for you the route for the CC ride is backwards as far as you're concerned, i.e. starting north and going south, then back north. If you did the ride to Manningtree, then down to Tiptree, then back up to Manningtree, then down home again, I expect that would be about 120-130 miles. If you did the ride to Manningtree, then went off home from Tiptree (i.e. left us halfway) it would be just under 100, I think.

I really liked the ride from Manningtree to Maldon but after Rettendon it wasn't very pleasant (Rayleigh Hill was a horror, the roads were really busy too) but you may know of better routes than I did at the time!

Thanks for that AH, I'm going to get a map and have a good look...........alternatively I have friends in Earls Colne and could stop off to see them on the way home to break up the ride.

 

[stevevw]

You can plot your route here:

http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com

 

[Davywalnuts]

Sorry Auntie H, I've got to cancel, my many apologies!

Am out now that friday night for a close friends b-day which will involve copious amounts of beer and kebab.. Infact, its safe to say Ill still be in a vegative state around the same time you all finish your tour! Albeit am sure awake, just, while aperitif is still cycling back...

 

[Auntie Helen]

Thanks for that AH, I'm going to get a map and have a good look...........alternatively I have friends in Earls Colne and could stop off to see them on the way home to break up the ride.

It's a good scheme except I wouldn't really call Earls Colne on the way home... unless you've got girlie GPS!

I've plotted a very picturesque route from Manningtree to Earls Colne here: www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6330 and you'll see that it's 20 miles (so I could go with you, then home again, and that'd get me my century).

I then plotted a fairly direct route from Earls Colne to Tarpots and the whole route (Manningtree to Tarpots via Earls Colne) is 55 miles; that's on top of getting to Manningtree, plus my actual ride. It's a long old way!

 

[ChrisKH]

For 'girlie GPS' read no GPS!