Sunday 23rd December

No write ups for awhile doesn`t mean I`ve not been out cycling, I`ve just been cycling the local lanes  and a lot less mileage! A bright and breezy start this morning and still very mild as I set off at 08.45 on my Raleigh with a wee bit of tinsel on it. But unfortunately I couldn`t wear my Santa hat this year as just a few weeks ago I started wearing a helmet for the first time in 35 years of cycling! But I made do with some tinsel around the helmet. I expected to find more flooded lanes around this morning but I just found some large puddles so no wet feet. This was just going to be another easy peasy ride, so out to Corbets Tey and then onto North Ockendon to Bulphan, the strange thing was I never saw another cyclist! I reached my destination of Langdon Visitor Centre with just 10 miles on the clock and after a coffee and chat with the volunteers, I bought a book about the WW2 P.O.W camp that was just up the road from here. Looked an interesting read and I do like my local history.
Leaving the Visitor Centre I saw at last another cyclist but my friendly greeting fell on death ears as he just ignored me! Retracing my outward route along Doesgate Lane I met some friendly cyclists from the Havering CTC, Chan, Dave and Stephen. After a chat and I had to decline a number of time to join them on their run we parted company and I headed for home via Bulphan and this time Pike Lane. I was indoors by 12.30 with just over 23 miles on the clock, but still a very enjoyable time spent in and out of the saddle.

Sunday 3rd November

A sunny and breezy morning greeted me as I set off at 07.45 on-board the Rory which I`ve not ridden on for nearly 4 weeks so it was due an airing. Been out cycling of course but on my old (Raleigh) hack, while my `Claud Baby` is still off the road because I can`t decide which tyres to put on Panaracer or Schwalbe?  Anyway back to this morning, it was also a bit chilly than of late fingers and toes chilly! But I soon warmed up as I sped (with a tailwind) through Bulphan to Dunton and with no Bootsale, a traffic free roundabout was enjoyed! After a few lumpy bits I was in Billericay and out again heading for Ingatestone via Buttsbury Wash. It wasn`t too deep but it was running fast and the footbridge was a mud-bath so I decide I didn`t want to go that way after all. It was also here I sent a text to Dave of the Havering CTC to find out where they were having lunch after their AGM.
I made my way to Ingatestone via the 16th century Hall with its one handed clock, and then over the railway crossing to reach the High Street, where I got a text from Dave saying the Havering have no idea where they were going for lunch. So I carried on to Margaretting and decide to turn for home and face that headwind along Ivy Barns La to Highwood and eventually Blackmore. Where I stopped beside the village pond just to get out of that wind and found it was very pleasant sitting in the sunshine. Then back in the saddle to face that wind again I made my way to Doddinghurst and South Weald to find Nags Head La closed to all traffic. But not to worry I wasn`t in a hurry so I followed the detour route only to remember how lumpy Mascalls La was! Still a nice downhill stretch along Warley Gap, Birds La and Warley Street to reach Pike Lane and the Thames Chase Visitors Centre. Where I met the Havering just coming out after their AGM, after a chat I was indoors by 13.20 with 44.33 miles done. I did plan to do much more mileage today but glad I didn`t because I found that wind very tough or am I just getting old?

Sunday 6th October

I had a destination today `The Green Cafe` at Little Canfield, the reason I was going there was because it`s one of the cafes on my list for the Cycle Cafe Challenge. You visit a cafe on the list collect a stamp and after 4th stamps at different cafes you get a free slice of cake! Just a bit of fun really, anyway a 07.20 start and would you believe it I was on the Rory! A bit chilly around the knees as I set off and found some lovely thick fog though it didn`t last long and by the time I was in St. Marys Lane it was clear and the sun was out by the time I climbed over South Weald. I headed out to Willingale and then to Four Wantz to reach High Easter and made my way to High Roding. After Becon End I had my first `Senior Moment` do I turn left or right? As I don`t carry a map or anything because I know my Essex, well sometimes! Anyway I went right and should have gone left but it didn`t really matter I just did a bit more on the B1258, but the traffic was light along here anyway. I reached `The Green Cafe` at 10.30 with just over 34 miles done and after a coffee and a yummy egg roll, plus collecting my first stamp I headed down the lane to All Saints Church for `Senior Moment` number two, I had left my camera at home!
Leaving Little Canfield on the B1258 for a couple of miles before turning back into the lanes to Hope End Green and Taverners Green. Then on Through Manwood Green and Matching Green to Fyfield where I pulled off the road as a  speeding Ambulance with its blue lights flashing sped pass me. A few miles further up the lane just before Willingale I came across the Ambulance again along with a group of Essex Road cyclists. It seem one rider wanted to slow the bunch down by falling off and breaking his collarbone! I had a short stop in Freds bus stop and then onto Blackmore and Doddinghurst to South Weald and reached home by 15.30 with 73.50 miles on the clock on rather lovely warm and sunny day.

Saturday 28th September

On the road just after 7am on a sunny and surprisingly warm morning and as normal I was on the Rory with no idea where I was a going just a mooch around the lanes. Took my normal route out through South Weald, Blackmore and Willingale to Birds Green, with a stop along School La at Hornets Farm. To inspect the small graveyard at the Farm Gates, when I was first shown this site some 20 years ago it was very overgrown but these days it`s being looked after and is much tidy. But I do wonder how many know it`s there as they speed pass whether in a motor vehicle or cycling! I continued on through Beauchamp & Abbess Roding`s and then onto Matching Green, stopping beside the village pond I notice a pair of swans, can`t remember ever seeing swans here before. As it was time for my Iron Rations I pointed my wheels towards Matching Church as I seem to remember a bench just waiting for me.
Then back to Matching Green and onto Little Laver and Clatterford End to Fyfield for a short stop beside the River Roding which was running pretty high. Then it was the ups and downs along the Willingale Road to pick up my outward route back to Blackmore and South Weald. It was much cloudy and windy by this time and the last mile to home I caught a short sharp shower! But a nice mooch around the lanes today and I was back indoors at 14.30 with just over 62 miles on the clock.

St. Mary Church, and the Marriage & Feast house which was build by a William Chimney around 1480 for the use of his farm workers on their wedding day. It was last used for this purpose in 1936, these days it`s mostly used for Church functions.

Sunday 15th September

The sun was a shining but it was a rather chilly morning as I set off at 07.20 on the Rory and once again I had no idea where I was a going! Outside Roomes in Upminster I came across a cold looking Dave Rowlands the leader of today`s Havering CTC ride, so I stopped for a chat until the rest of the riders arrived. Then made my way to South Weald, Coxtie Green, Bentley and Princes Gate to the A113 and turned into Berwick La and after a short distance I came upon the Havering group who had stopped for a friendly bush as yer do! We rode together until the end of the lane where we parted company the Havering up Toots Hill, while I down to Stanford Rivers. A left just pass St. Margaret Church into Mutton Row a lovely wee lane especially now with a freshly laid tarmac on it. Then on through  Greensted Green and once over the A414 into Moreton and High Laver to Matching Green. By this time the sun had long disappeared and it was getting rather breezy. After Abbess Roding and Birds Green I exchange greeting with Kelvin Dane and the Central London CTC group in Dukes La.
Then onto Willingale for a short stop in Fred`s bus shelter for a cereal bar and to get out of the wind for awhile.
A few spots of rain on route to Blackmore, then I had the company of a local cyclist before he turned off at Hook End and I headed for South Weald and Upminster. In Dennis La I met a large group of  cyclists that looked like Skyriders maybe from the Havering L.C.C? Anyway I was home by 2pm with 58.02 on the clock.

 All Saints Church, High Laver the burial place of John Locke said to be the greatest philosophers in Europe at the end of the seventeenth century.

Sunday 8th September

A sunny morning and I was on the road by 07.30 and once again I was on the Rory, and I had a destination of Mill Green near Ingatestone for the start of the Essex CTC Rough Stuff event. I took my lumpy route out to Great Warley not a road I normally use during the week because of fast and heavy traffic. But early Sunday mornings it`s not too bad and there`s time to look around at some of the lovely old buildings. Though sadly the Forge or as some call it Blacksmiths which was established in 1880 is no longer, the building can still be seen but it closed down some years ago. New houses are now being build on land around the Forge/Blacksmiths. More climbing through Brentwood was called for and then it was downhill to the Mountnessing roundabout and then through Ingatestone to Fryering and Mill Green. It was nice to meet up with Essex cyclists I`ve not seen for many years like Brian Taylor and Steve Gregson. Only 11 riders set off on the event, I of course wasn`t taking part so I had a spin around the lanes of Writtle, Roxwell, Blackmore and Beggar Hill.
Back in Mill Green I met another cyclist I`ve not seen for over 3 years Beryl Russell so we had a good old chat while waiting for the riders to return. After most of the riders came back (4 were missing) we all headed for the Viper for lunch, and once again I met cyclists from the Chelmsford group I`ve not seen for years including Dave Russell. During lunch two more cyclists found there way back and brought the rain with them. I decide head for home at 2pm  and retraced my outward route back to Mountnessing Windmill and then headed for Hutton and up The Avenue to Thorndon Country Park for a short stop. Then after a few ups and downs plus a heavy downpour I was indoors at 4pm with 54.41 on the clock.

Some of the cyclists signing on for the Essex CTC Rough Stuff event

Two members of the Havering (my old club) setting off, I never saw them again I gather they spent too much time over their breaks!

Bank Holiday Monday 26th August

The plan today was to just have a mooch around the lanes and see what`s a doing, so a 7am start and once again I was on the Rory. It was warm but overcast and breezy as I made my way out to South Weald and Blackmore. Then onto Norton Heath and Willingale where that`old currant bun` came out to play! I picked up the Shellow Rd and headed for Roxwell and once through the village I headed for Hoestreet and then onto Newney Green to reach Writtle. A short stop on the green was called for to tuck into my iron rations and to feed the ducks as yer do. I had 30 miles on the clock so I decide to head for home from here, this saw me passing through Edney Common and Loves Green.
Just before Blackmore a group of Gateway C.C riders sped towards me and among the normal greetings I heard my name, so I`m guessing Ken Hamilton was among them. Pressing on through Swallow Cross to Mountnessing I headed for St. Giles church and the annual Flower Festive. So a much enjoyed cuppa and yummy cake was taken, apart from the wasps it was very enjoyable too. Around the refreshment tent they had two wasps nest bags hanging, the wasp see them and they go away thinking it another nest, but didn`t seem to be working! I then headed for Hutton via the A129 as I wanted a photo of a roadside memorial. Then from here it was Hanging Hill Lane and The Avenue to a very packed Thorndon Country Park, the car park was full so cars were parking along The Avenue and Childerditch Lane! My route home from here was along Bird Lane and Warley Street to be indoors by 13.30 with 55.80 on the clock. So a nice little mooch around the lanes was had with some lovely sunshine too.

This is memorial on the A129 at Hutton, it`s for the first Essex Police Officer to be killed (sadly not the last) in the line of duty.
Police Constable 514 Robert Bamborough was killed near this spot on 21st November 1850.

Saturday 20th July

Leaving home just after six on a cloudy yet warm morning, and once again I was on the Rory and once again I had no idea where I was a going! There was a bit of a breeze (headwind) as I sped through Bulphan, Dunton to Billericay then on through Ramsden Heath and South Hanningfield to Rettendon. Where a slight drizzle started which stayed with me on and off for most of the morning. Passing Hyde Hall RHS Gardens on lanes I`ve not used for awhile to reach Stow Maries and Cold Norton. Then on through Latchingdon, Mayland and Steeple which had a great teashop many years ago. I then headed for Stone on the River Blackwater, some call it St. Lawrence but I`ve always known it as Stone, anyway the tide was in! I sat in the shelter keeping out of the wind and drizzle and tucked into my iron rations, and with 37 miles on the clock I decided to return home from here.
So back to Latchingdon and now with a lovely tailwind! I turn onto the Maldon Rd and headed to Roundbush where I found a lovely recently laid tarmac lane nearly all the way to Purleigh. Had a short break in the All Saints churchyard as yer do, then onto Cock Clarks, Bicknacre to East & West Hanningfield`s to Stock and back to Billericay. Where I had another short break for a cereal bar and found a new (well to me) cycle shop in the high Street. Little Burstead led me back to Dunton for a coffee stop in Langdon Hills Visitors Centre. Then back to Bulphan and North Ockendon to reach home at 14.30 with 77.17 miles on the clock which just makes it my longest ride so far!

The Rory in Stone, it may look gray and miserable but it was quite warm sitting here despite the strong breeze from the river.

A gravestone in Purleigh All Saints churchyard.

Saturday 29th June

Dull and a bit chilly for my 06.20 start and once again I was on the Rory, I took my normal route out through Upminster, South Wealds to Blackmore and Willingale. Then onto  Four Wantz, Clatterford End to High Easter and Stagden Cross to Onslow Green followed by a nice downhill stretch through North End. But of course then I had to climb up to Felsted, at this point I decided a coffee was needed. So I headed for Blake End but change my mind again and headed for Rayne. This saw me cycling along the B1256 which seem to have more cyclists on there than motor vehicles! I reached the `old booking hall` cafe at Rayne station at 10.30 and sat outside to enjoy my coffee as the sun was just beginning to show it`s self.
Leaving Rayne just after 11am I headed for Willows Green and Littley Green to past the old brewery on the B1417. This was followed by a short stretch on the A130 and then back into the lanes to Pleshey. Then on through Good Easter, Chalk End to Boyton Cross and Roxwell to reach Blackmore for a much needed coffee/food break. From here I picked up my outward route to reach home at 3pm in lovely warm sunshine and with 77.02 miles on the clock, which is my longest ride this year.

Rayne station is of course long been closed, I believe the last passengers train went through in 1952. Now the track bed is the Flitch Way and only used by cyclists, walkers and horse riders to enjoy as it run from Braintree to Bishop`s Stortford.

Sunday 16th June

I set off just after six thirty and once again on-board the Rory with the idea of having a 45-50 miles ride as I`ve not been out much lately. At least it was dry this morning and not so windy as I climbed up to the Thatchers Arms and through Brentwood to Mountnessing. In Ingatestone I stopped outside Patrick Green D.I.Y shop not because I wanted anything, it was the display in their window that caught my eye. Some very old lawnmowers and other old gardening tools which I found very interesting, not that I`m into gardening! I carried on to Margaretting and to Writtle and into Loves Walk which leads into the churchyard of All Saints church, then pass a lovely old half timbered house which dates back to the 1500. After a short stretch on the A1060 I was back in the lanes and passing  through Chignall Smealy, Mashbury and Good Easter. I had a look at the Ford it wasn`t deep today but with it`s sandy bottom I wasn`t taking any chances, so I took the footpath over. 
I crossed over the A1060 at Four Wantz and headed for Birds Green and Millers Green to Willingale, where I bumped into a Sportive event. I rode with them or should that be they kept speeding pass me until Norton Heath. Where the Sportive lot got onto the A414 while I just crossed over it and heading for Blackmore and Doddinghurst. Then on through South Wealds and onto the cycle path along the Hall Lane to Cranham where I caught a few spots of rain and home by 12.45 with just over 55 miles done. Shame the sun didn`t make an appearance, but still a very enjoyable morning in the saddle.

The Ford wasn`t so deep this morning but I still didn`t fancy cycling through it! 

Saturday 25th May

Dry and sunny but a wee bit chilly for my 7am start, and once again I was on the Rory. I took my normal route out through Upminster to South Wealds, then as there wasn`t much traffic about I rode along the A128 until Kelvedon Hatch. Then back into the lanes to Hallsford Bridge and eventually Chipping Ongar and Moreton. By the time I reached Matching Green I had a good idea where I was going for coffee. Through Manwood Green to Taverners Green and Bush End brought me to Hatfield Forest. After those `false teeth rattling` cattle grids I arrived at the Forest Cafe at 10.30 to share my coffee, well more my biscuits with a Jackdaw!
Leaving the cafe at 11am I retraced my route back to Taverners Green and then headed for White & Abbess Roding`s to make my way to Willingale for a short break in Fred`s bus shelter. Then on through Blackmore and back to South Wealds and eventually reaching home at 3pm with 68.90 miles on the clock which is my longest ride so far this year.

 I just had to take a picture of this outside Spains Hall Farm Willingale

Tuesday 21st May

A 09.45 start on a cloudy and windy morning, I had no destination again as I set off on the Rory. Through Bulphan and over the A127 at Dunton, followed by a short climb to find all those nasty potholes along the Billericay Rd have now been filled in. I took the pretty route along Blind Lane which is a rough stuff route to reach Billericay and then onto Buttsbury Ford or as some locals call it the Wash. Anyway whatever it called, it was a wee bit wet for me so I took the footbridge over. Then after a short climb I came to the 12th century St. Mary church. Then downhill to cross the River Wid by the 16th century bridge, followed by a climb up to Ingatestone, where I decide I would turn for home here.
Once again I got caught at the rail crossing gates but at least it wasn`t raining this time, though I did feel a few spots a mile or two back. I stopped outside the 16th century Ingatestone Hall to check the time with its one handed clock which said 12.30 I think! Then I made my way to Hutton and The Avenue to reach Thorndon Country Park for coffee and biscuits. Then onto to Little Warley and Birds Lane to pick up the B road and more traffic than I`ve seen all morning! I was home by 13.45 with 36.10 miles on the clock. So a nice ride out, had a chat with a few cyclists I met on route, it was just a shame the sun never came out to play!

Saturday 27th April

There had been a frost first thing but by the time I set off at 07.20 it had all gone, but it was still feeling rather chilly than of late. Once again I was on the Rory and once again I had no idea where I was a going! I made an unscheduled stop in Hall Lane to speak to Havering CTC rider Gordon who was just setting off to the gym for some spinning in aid of a charity. Once over South Wealds I sped through Blackmore to Norton Heath and Willingale where I had a quick stop at Fred`s bus shelter. Then onto High Easter and Stagden Cross to reach the lovely village of Pleshey, where I had my iron ration stop in the moat garden.
Back in the saddle I made my way to Good Easter and Roxwell then onto Cooksmill Green and Highwood to stop in Blackmore to finish off my iron rations beside the village pond. I then more or less retrace my outward route back to South Wealds and Upminster to reach home at 14.30 with 61.69 miles on the clock which is my longest ride (so far) this year.

The Rory in the moat garden always a lovely spot for a break before or after you explore this delightful village  

Sunday 14th April

A mild and cloudy morning greeted me as I set off at 07.30 on-board the Rory to splash my way through a number of large puddles to reach Dunton. No bootsale today so hardly any traffic on roundabout, which was nice. After Billericay I headed to Ingatesone Hall and caught a few spots of rain and also got caught at the level crossing gates! Then onto Margaretting where I pointed my wheels towards Writtle and reached the village green at 09.30 just as that old currant bun came out. It was very pleasant sitting beside the duck pond sharing a piece of my homemade fruit cake with the ducks. But eventually I had to make a move and decide to head back home.
A tough headwind greeted me as I made my way to Loves Green and Blackmore where a seat on the village green was waiting for me as I needed to get out of this wind for a rest. Doddinghurst and South Wealds led me to Upminster and eventually home by 13.00hrs and with 46 miles on the clock

The Rory at Writtle village green duck pond in the warm sunshine