Latest Gateway News
The Gateway Website Forum
A few words to clarify the position of the forum. Only Gateway members, who were logged in with a Gateway account, had access to read or write forum posts. The rest of the world could not see the forum posts written by the likes of Bob Drake, Dave Fish, Jon Lane and others. I’m not sure how many members saw them either. The posts e.g. Bob’s Wednesday ride, you see when you access the web site have been copied from the forum and then published as web posts. This enables the whole world to see the amazing rides and activities we have been engaged in. A selection of members including Bob, Dave and Jon, have now been given Gateway website permissions to create and publish web posts. This means we no longer … Read entire article »
FOULNESS ISLAND RIDE 2019
Dear All. This Sunday 8th September 2019 there is the annual ride around Foulness Island. I did this several years ago and it was truly good natured and great fun with many participants. There are a number of websites with entry forms to register and here below are a few links … I’m not organising anything special but for me I’ll probably take the train halfway there, to Leigh or Westcliff, then ride on to Wakering village. It’s a staged start, the first bunch of riders depart from 09.30 onwards… The entry fee is £15 – for good causes – and if I remember you can register and pay on the day. Once you get to Wakering there will be many riders who will direct you to the starting/registration point … Read entire article »
BOB’S Mid week ride today 4th September
Six riders started today from Orsett. The route followed the usual format, slowed down by newly strewn gravel in Dunning Lane. The perspiring bunch was met at Puddledock by Chris G, who had taken a short cut, and Jon Lane, for brunch and chat. Leaving at 12.30 to slide on more gravel, the group split in Bulphan for rides home. There was a slight delay in leaving Orsett today due to discussions about Bob Drake, a mainstay of Gateway Cycling and the founder of Bob’s mid week ride, who had a cycling accident yesterday. I’m not sure of the full details, but I understand Bob is now back at home and hopefully on his way to a full recovery. We wish him well. … Read entire article »
Saturday ride 31st August 2019
From Bob D As I believe this forum will be closed down as from tomorrow this is definitely my last words in this format.Any future ramblings if any will reach you in another way as yet not clear to me but all will be revealed in the near future.Back to today, seventeen riders assembled at Orsett ,split into two groups and set off on 25 mile reverse no stop no drop Berwich Ponds loop regrouping at the Whitmore Arms for welcome drink and chat in the garden there.Our group took a slightly different route to Marks group ,not sure if this was by design or not so the groups remained apart until sociably rejoining at the end.Usual traffic issues and road works but otherwise another enjoyable morning out with boys and … Read entire article »
Mid Week Ride
From Bob D Ten riders at Orsett today including Karine a newcomer on her first ride with us.Taking a leaf from the saturday group I asked if as an experiment everyone was prepared to ride as one group at precisely 15 mph on the outward leg and see what the outcome would be.I thought this worked rather well with everyone cooperating resulting in a very comfortable ride for all albeit taking about 15 minutes longer than normal.The weather changed from cloudy and damp to bright and sunny so lunch was taken outside where there was a light cooling breeze.we were joined here by Jon L and Keith W making 12 for the day.After quite a lengthy stay the homeward trip was made at a very fast pace as usual making todays … Read entire article »
2 Summer Rides
From Jon Lane On Sunday (25 8 19) four of us set out from Bulphan in the heat… and headed towards the Ingrebourne Valley Path. With the cooling stream running beside us, a few shady trees and at a steady pace we didn’t overheat. We stopped beside the pleasant Spitfire cafe to ensure we were all well hydrated. The holiday atmosphere was in the air with kids, dogs, families and all sorts of folk braving the temperature. On to Rainham village and the Delight cafe for their excellent value tea/coffee and ‘brunch’… With Dave F, Lee H and Tracey A – I’m not sure if it was the summer silly season or what – but we all had a good laugh, jokes and joshing all round… Across the Marsh, then alongside … Read entire article »
Sunday 25th August Gateway ride to the Blue Egg
From Mark Woolven 9 riders set off from Bulphan at 8.30 on a long route to the Blue Egg. We made our way to Warley, which was a nice start to the ride climbing the hills to get to south Weald. Then we followed the lanes to North Weald, and we were soon on our way to stansted. We followed some great quiet lanes with some lovely views. By time time we got to Thaxted the heat was getting to us and we needed to stop for water breaks and to get our breath back. We got to the Blue Egg at 11.45 and had a well earned lunch break. We sat outside in the sun eating our lunch, which I must say is always fantastic from this Cafe! All home made. Once … Read entire article »
Saturday Social Ride – 3rd August
From Kim Mandy Went out for Mark’s Saturday Morning ride. My first official group ride. As I am not very fast I was very apprehensive and concerned about being able to keep up with the group considering It was my first Gateway Club ride. But I can safely say that my anxieties and concerns were not needed as the group made me feel welcome and I even managed to keep up with the 14-16 mile per hour … Read entire article »
Saturday Social Ride
Tina and I joined Mark Woolven’s Saturday social ride last week. I think there were about 8 or 9 of us on the ride, which started from Orsett at 10.00. I believe the idea is to get riders who are not confident or experienced at riding in a group, to do just that. We rode at a steady pace of 14 or 15 MPH via Bulpham, past Puddledock Farm, Berwick Ponds, Stubbers and back down Fen Lane. No one was dropped and there were the occasional shouts of “slow down” to keep the group together when going up the “hills”. It was a really enjoyable ride and Tina said that it was a great confidence booster. So if there are any new riders out there, come along and give it … Read entire article »
