About 12 riders out today (they come and they go) on another warm and sunny summers day. No Bob today unfortunately as he was on coach trip duties. I decided to do a slow ride and Vic and Alan decided to keep me company. Leaving at 10.00 from Orsett as usual, we were soon passed by the fast boys and settled into a 15/16 mph ride taking turns on the front. We caught up with Taff on Dunnings Lane and continued on past Puddledock towards Pike Lane. Going through Corbetts Tey, we turned left to miss out the Berwick Pond loop. We arrived at Puddle cafe shortly after the fast group and settled in to the usual second breakfast/early lunch. Leaving at 12.00 ish, I caught up with rest of … Read entire article »

Ten riders set off from Orsett today to ride the Berwich Ponds loop with Puddledock the designated lunch stop where we were to be met by Chris G who is not riding at the moment thus making eleven in total. It was soon apparent that some people were in a hurry and set off at a furious pace which three of us were either unwilling or unable or both able to maintain. Chris M in his usual generous way offered to pull me back to the bunch but I didn’t want to hold him up so dropped back to to ride with Bert H and Taff P. Taff as his name suggests is a resident of S. Wales who’s work brings him often to Thurrock and he has joined Gateway … Read entire article »

Together with Bob, we had Vic, Andy, Alan, Chris M, Terry and Phil. A little cooler and cloudier it was up and on out of Gravesend to Sole Street, Cobham and Upper Higham. A pause again on Hermitage Road gave us an inspiring view of our Essex coast and countryside. Hotting up now, it was onwards through the ripening field crops, taking a zig zag route, avoiding tractors… and with much pleasantness all around, we got to the Kings Arms. Hospitality, with exceptional food, drink and craic – we could have settled here a while… Homeward through Strood, passing the refurbished Russian submarine in the Medway we took the long climb out of the town. A sensibly planned sweeping cycle route avoiding heavy traffic led us to Shorne Country Park, then Lower … Read entire article »

A slightly belated entry, for another great turnout last Wednesday. Unfortunately Bob could not make it as he was on domestic duties. 10 riders left from Orsett, with me starting early as I am on restricted riding duties and was only going as far as the Pudddle cafe. Taff was on his mountain bike, due to a wheel problem on his road bike. This however did not stop him from completing the whole loop and meeting up with the rest of the group at Puddle. I think he will have his bike back next week. The usual breakfast refuling followed with conversation about hills and Welsh dragons, rides in the sun and soon to be started holidays in “far” away places. … Read entire article »

Eight riders plus one car assisted out today. Although cloudy and overcast when we started conditions proved ideal for cycling even the roads had mostly dried after yesterdays heavy rain. Only one incident of dangerous driving this week when C.M had to remonstrate vigorously with a motorist who tried to run us off the road because of their inability to drive sensibly in heavy traffic. One of our newer recruits Taff completed the whole loop for the first time after only a few rides with us and has improved his riding very quickly. After a leisurely lunch we upped the pace and made a quick return to Orsett. Whilst having a last chat we were joined by an old acquaintance who kept me talking for nearly 2 hours but thats another story. Arrived … Read entire article »