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!