Saturday 20th May

I`ve not been out for a wee while so this morning saw me onboard the Raleigh at 6am on a lovely sunny morning, destination unknown! So making my way through Upminster to South Weald and Doddinghurst to Hook End and Blackmore to Norton Heath Cafe for a cuppa and bacon sarnie.

Afterward I found the Willingale Road had those horrible loose chipping on and I hate riding on them, but the surface was back to normal after Rockhill and like that all the way to Willingale village. Of course I had to stop at Fred Bus Shelter and also at the two Churches as I was thinking (yes that did hurt) where to go from here. I decide on the Easter`s, so Bird Green and over the A1060 at Four Wantz and then a quick look at the Ford it look wet so I use the path.

The onto Clatterford End to reach High Easter, Snug Cafe wasn`t even open yet so I decide to point my wheels toward home.

Good Easter to Chalk End and a couple of miles along the A1060 to Boyton Cross and Roxwell, then onto Cookmill Green and once over the A414 I made my way to Loves Green and Headed for Blackmore and Megarry`s Tearoom. After my cuppa and yummy jam scone, it was Swallow Cross to Mountnessing and Hutton where I got cramp and had go for a wee walk! Then halfway up The Avenue I got cramp again and had to walk to reach Thorndon Country Park for a rest and some stretching. I was alright after that until just under the M25 in St. Mary`s Lane I got cramp again and another wee walk was had and I was okay after that. Apart  from the Cramp I`ve been dodging shower for the past few hours but with just one mile from home I caugh one and got a soaking! Indoors by 2.45pm with 59.40 miles done making it my longest ride since August 2014.

Saturday 29th April

It was a sunny but chilly morning as I set off on the Raleigh at 06.45, making my way through Upminster to South Weald and onto my `Love-Hate` relationship with Sandpit Lane. This morning Sandpit won and I had to walk part of it. Once over the A128 I was in Crow Green Rd and then into the lovely (well I think so) Days Lane which led me to Doddinghurst. Then on through Hook End to reach my destination of Blackmore but a wee bit early for my cuppa stop to be open.

So I took a wander as yer do around the lanes first to Sprigg`s Lane but didn`t see any Ostriches or Llamas, too early for them to be out or they don`t live here anymore? I thought about going to Willingale but on reaching the A414, I decide against it and pointed my wheels back to Blackmore. Meeting the Glendene CC coming towards me so I gave a cheery `Good Morning` and got NO reply whatsoever from this miserable bunch! Had a wandered around St. Lawrence churchyard and a chat with some walkers, and then it was cuppa time in Megarry`s Teashop and a good old natter with Judi & Pete.
Leaving Blackmore I had 21 miles on the clock so I headed for home via Swallow Cross, Mountnessing and Hutton for that drag  (well for me) up The Avenue. Another cuppa was called for in Thorndon Country Park, followed by a lovely smooth tarmac Bird`s Lane. Then mostly downhill to St. Mary`s Lane and my normal route of Pike & Pea Lanes to reach home just after 1pm with my longest ride since my accident in 2014 with 42 miles on the clock.