Gateway Sunday Recreation Ride

To the Parks!

A different place to meet today – The Old White Horse by Top Meadow on the Ockendon Road.

Five of us met there with the expectation that two others would at some point join the group. We set off in the hope that we would have sunny intervals, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

Anyway, off we went towards Upminster and left down Little Gaynes Lane complete with a couple of horse riders in the opposite direction. Then to Hacton Lane, through the park along the Ingrebourne Way taking in Albyns Farm Lake in Hornchurch Country Park. Only one of us failed to stop adequately when the ride was interrupted by a telephone call to Sharon from Jon (in motor-cycling parlance I dropped the bike and stepped off – but with no ill effect). Shortly after, Jon appeared (from where I’m not sure) and rode with us. Passing by Ingrebourne Hill it was sad to see that there had been some quite substantial grass fires.

After the parks we made our way to the Delight Café in Rainham where we caught up with David and we all partook of some food,  drink and a bit of chat. After that we proceeded to Rainham railway station to cross the Eurostar line via the extensive pedestrian / cycling bridge. Dropping down towards the River Thames on the other side of the track, we worked our way to the concrete barges and round to the RSPB Rainham Marshes and to Tank Lane south of the Circus Tavern and out to Ship Lane. At the Ship Lane roundabout, David and Jon went the more direct route home. The original 5 continued on along the Mardyke to Pilgrims Lane where we parted company with Hanh. Then up to Guardian Avenue and right onto Clockhouse Lane over the A13 pedestrian bridge and across the West Thurrock Arterial Way and along to the Treacle Mine. Here 3 of us parted company with Sharon and went along Long Lane to Blackshots Lane where Andy peeled off leaving myself and Les to ride on. Les was riding back to his car at Bulphan and I kept him company until Orsett where I turned off to complete my ride.

It was a lovely ride and our thanks go to Sharon for leading. Although we didn’t start and finish at the same point, the ride seemed to make good sense for the route taken.