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!