This was without doubt one of my most favourite FNRttC's ever, right up there with LonJoG.
I joined the ride at Victoria Station and as soon as the train delivered George to the concourse we headed up to Hyde Park Corner where we joined the rest of group. Fab, Fab Peeps - Tall Michael, Tall Martin, Frank - wooohooo, Graham, Paul to name a few - Davy Walnuts was confirmed as the All Up Man, ferries across to Mersey were discussed, a warning that the first stop would be at Maldon but it would be brief as the sailing timetable could not be changed.
Being a group of 16 we stayed together in a pack with only a few sets of London traffic lights separating us which meant we were able to keep moving without needing to regroup. The traditional FNRttC hazard of alcohol-filled pedestrians who staggered into the road - the female species wearing heels and skirts of the same length clinging on to bottles of booze and local lads whilst the male species were hollering enthusiasm and nonsense out of car windows.
The waymarking requirements were very few - I did some but was only in warmarking position for less than a minute before DW and Adrian appeared with the All Up Call Up. The sky played host to the most spectacular crystal clear cover I have ever, ever seen. The moon and the stars were shiny, bright and sparkly. The Plough, Venus - Orions Belt - all on show through the night, competing with the London at Night illuminations which are always impressive. Heading East over the Bow Flyover, the view of the Olympic Stadium all lit up like a crown was stunning.
Out into Essex, into the countryside, the roads were hedge lined not house lined, the traffic decreased and we were in West Hanningfield, passing East Hanningfield which always reminds me of Australia where I spent a year and where I met a family from here - this very village. My feet went round, my wheels moved on and my mind drifted back to my time all those years ago, cycling in silence but deep in happy thoughts.
We made our way through Stock - sadly no Village Hall this time - the Ford was a bit scary and I found my front wheel stuck in a ridge but managed to move out of it and the water wasn't too deep! The sky was changing - I couldnt tell if the light from the horizon was an electric hue or the new day approaching.
The temperature was on the cold side although Charlie B and Martin will disagree as shorts and shortsleeved tops were deriggeur whilst I was adding armwarmers to armwarmers! I was waymarking in the middle of nowhere and had been there for longer than a minute, heading for 10 when Frank on his fixed came back from the front to tell me that there had been a puncture at the back and he would take over the junction if I wanted. How kind! I could pedal to the front of the ride and warm up on the way. Result!
We weaved through country lanes, chatting and laughing in true FNRttC style all the way to the Coast. We headed to the first of our three boat trips - the dawn sky was out of this world and the sunrise was stunning.
The boat trips were fantastic - what a fabulous thing to do on a bike ride! The first one to Mersea I remembered from last year's speedy ride to Harwich and this time I carried my bike to the boat - avoiding sand in my chain. Sand in my shoes is unavoidable and a little never ending - sand is still pouring out of my shoes and socks!!
On to Harwich by which time the sun was up and the temperature rising. We pulled into a bus stop to remove armwarmers and things. At the ferry point we had tea and toast - a pre breakfast breakfast! Then a ferry to Felixtowe and a lovely route along the coast past a selection of seaside homes and then to the official Breakfast point. Excellent place to sit and enjoy the sunshine. Then on to boat no. 3 which deposited us on a beach.
The laughter and chatter continued, catching up with peeps I haven't seen for too long or even longer, the sun shone for all its might and we took quite the most beautiful route I have ever ridden (not counting LonJog!). Country lanes weaving through fields, up and down gently rolling hills, flat lands and flat lands past the hard works of agriculture in full bloom. We went through Picture Post Card villages, over little bridges, along narrow ones, saw a badger, fields of Pigs, sheep and cattle. All under the most beautiful clear blue sky in glorious sunshine.
Just after Walberswick, the lead of the ride was handed over to Susie who took us all along a lovely road to Southwold with practically no traffic, over another bridge, along a path and up to the centre of the town. What a picturesque place it is. We piled into a pub, Olaf bought us all a drink and then Susie did the same. Thank you! We then moved to another one nearer the sea and four of us sat on a bench overlooking the beach. The whole ride was like a Summer Holiday. Superb company, surroundings and route.
As the numbers decreased at the pub, some of us headed back to Darsham where we caught a train to Ipswich. We said our goodbyes and George and I headed to the main entrance where met by Sahar who although couldnt join us for the ride but was able to come to Ipswich so that we could all watch the start of the Tour of Britain on Sunday. Saturday night found as in an excellent restaurant followed by great little B&B who gave our bikes a room of their own on Sunday so that we could go and see Brad and Cav without worrying about where we could leave our bikes.
We stood on the side of the road and cheered like mad as they past us and then wandered around Ipswich, watching the Sky Ride, looking at architecture and just enjoying the atmosphere created by cycling.
There is no better way of seeing the environment than on a bicycle and no better way to spend time on a bicycle than on an FNRttC. Simon and Susie you are the tops.
I took some pics -
https://picasaweb.google.com/108733...&authkey=Gv1sRgCOeMsvaAuJvEEA&feat=directlink
Mice
. I had the week off for this one booked, then the date got switched round. Doing this one after work was not a sensible option. Of course, if I'd been really nuts, I could have set off from home after work and raced you all there (I've done Pompey to the smoke in five hours rolling, the DD in nine overall)....
At least the other one had the decency not to be wearing armwarmers in the middle of summer.
