Gateway Cycling » Recreation » Recreation Ride Through Shoeburyness, Gt. Wakering & Barling 18th August 2012

Recreation Ride Through Shoeburyness, Gt. Wakering & Barling 18th August 2012

Saturday 18th August 2012 we had an excellent countryside ride around Great Wakering and Barling, fifteen folk in all turned up, the youngest being eight years old (well done to Thomas B (-: ) and the senior rider being Bob D.

A few of us collected at Benfleet and travelled by train to Shoeburyness, from there we all met up at Uncle Tom’s café at the ‘top end’ of Thorpe Bay.

We set off in the very hot sunny weather – through the historical Shoebury’ Garrison, nice housing development here, then on out around the country roads.

Combine harvesters clattered in the fields as we cycled through clouds of grain dust; we posed for our group photo opposite a pink bungalow… watched inside by the bewildered family… Our recreational rides are usually off the roads but it was pleasing that the drivers here on these quiet back ways were more courteous and patient than the usual ‘townie’ types we encounter.

We got back safe and sound to ‘Uncle Tom’s’ for much needed drinks and hot dogs with ketchup and mustard – yummm… A couple of resident Thorpe Bay lady riders who had joined in left us here. The remainder heading along the excellent cycle facilities of Southend sea front ably led by Bob S; who, I’m pleased to say, had the good sense to stop at the Rossi’s ice cream parlour where we queued for a ‘licky sticky’ one…

Leaving Jeff and Frances B and the boys behind here,  to enjoy the seaside scene, we trundled on to Leigh on Sea for another liquid top up at the Golf Driving range café; then through the desert like heat we battled on across Hadleigh Marsh to Benfleet rail station and dispersed from here.

Some of us were slightly the worse for wear (Bob measured the temperature at 95 degrees F’!) but happy and content with our jolly day out…

A ride to be repeated soon.

Shoeburyness Recreation Ride

Shoeburyness Recreation Ride

Spot the difference

Shoeburyness Recreation Ride

Shoeburyness Recreation Ride

Jon Lane

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