Though I had the week off, I'd already decided by midweek that I would not be riding up. I'd been doing a bit of riding, and had very much not been enjoying the strong easterly winds. Wednesday's ride, another attempt at Brighton, went as far as Hove and a mere 96 in total, having taken five hours elapsed to get there when normally it's nearer four. Nor was the tailwind terribly helpful on the return. So the thought of slogging along for 75 miles in a crosswind, then another 50-odd into a headwind…nope, I'm good, thanks. Did a couple of shorter rides during the day, then got the 2045 into Waterloo, arriving 2226 (later trains cutting it a bit fine for my liking, and/or going the long way round via Basingstoke etc). Somehow had a chain drop walking on the concourse, so sorted that before nipping to the loos to clean up, filling the bottles and eating my sandwich, saying hello to
@CharlieB (very nice indeed to see him back and looking in fine fettle), then heading down the bike path and round to the NT, where I was again the first there. Generic funk background music the night of the Shoreham ride (from the NFT cafe), generic Latin funk this time. Didn't have to wait too long before others arrived. Numbers for this one were a bit touch and go until a few days previously (our hosts at Doddinghurst needed a minimum turn-out, though perhaps we might have switched to junction 31…no, rather not thanks…). Thankfully, a last-minute surge meant we had 40 or so registered, though there were a few dropouts, almost inevitably.
Though Greg was ride leader, nonetheless he conformed to type and turned up at 2340. Still in good time, but tsk tsk, nonetheless. Ross and his fellow TECs Tim and Vicky would have little to do except call all-up, which was nice. Roll-call had an uninitentional comedy element due to his difficulty in reading the list (reading glasses too heavy to bring along? Pass). There were a few new riders, and a few returnees like the aforementioned Charlie. My bike was not the only Tripster ATR v3 on the ride- there was little chance getting them confused, that one might have been on Hunt wheels too, but they were 650B, and a 48cm frame is definitely too small for me
We were off pretty much bang on time, and the usual eastward schlep ensued. Fairly standard route east- over Southwark Bridge, east to Tower Hill, Cable Street, Limehouse and Poplar, then north up to Bow, before turning north east into the 'burbs. It was a chilly night again, and the Fridays jersey (the warmest I have) and base layer were needed. At a regroup I switched from mitts to the gloves, hands were feeling it. After Ilford, we finally got some actual countryside, only took 17 miles or so. After seven or so rather more pleasant miles, still untroubled by mechanicals, we arrived at the Doddinghurst scout hut just before 3.30. Our hosts had prepared, as on previous visits, a most excellent spread. Including bread pudding, they must have known I was coming
Splendid sandwiches, oat biscuits, chocolate cake… Numerous calories and an hour later, we were back underway.
On we went through Mountnessing, Buttsbury Ford (I used the bridge, some braved it), then Stock, where there was a detour for photos of the windmill (we were most definitely not pushed for time, it's only 55 or 56 miles to Southend Pier even taking this rather scenic, and hilly, route- the hills did at least keep people a bit warmer). Another photo stop at Hanningfield Reservoir, by which time a rather glorious morning was emerging and sunglasses were necessary. The swing south went through Rettendon and Rayleigh, by which time the existence of splinter groups of People Who Would Prefer Not To Go to Wetherspoons was open and acknowledged. On through Hadleigh, and that never unchallenging climb into town, then along to Leigh on Sea. The traditional (for this ride) regroup at Tattershall Gardens, at 7.35 or so, was accompanied by a historical talk from Greg on Hadleigh Castle, which sounded as dubious as Simon's tale of Princess Margaret and Roddy Llewellyn. Wikipedia hasn't been down recently…At this point I joined Nick, Claire and chap on single-speed whose name I forgot, to find an alternative breakfast spot in Leigh. Ross suggested the
Corner Club, which had just opened and soon provided a most excellent breakfast.
Following that, having said farewell to Claire (chapeau on the 200km- by the time you got home...), at 9.15, down the hill to Leigh station, where we just missed one train (the faster one, naturally) but didn't have to long to wait for the next, where we met up again with a couple of others, who had also missed that earlier service). Two toilets, both out of action. Nice. Into Fenchurch Street on time, and then round to Waterloo, where I just missed one train, but the wait for the next at least allowed a call of nature. Bike space got fully taken up, including by a woman on a Brompton who insisted on using that utterly pointless pull-out 'barrier' SWR services have. Back at Fratton 1254, home, tea and nap shortly thereafter.
Thanks all!
Tour next for me, but back for Cardiff-Swansea in July. Hoping for a dry day/night with NW winds…
