Colchester Cycling UK

Bures Ride Report

November 30, 2014

Twelve riders in two groups set off from the bike containers at Colchester Leisure World. It was a misty and slightly chilly morning but with a promise of some sunshine later.

Des receiving his award from Alan for Best Spotlight Report

We started towards Wivenhoe along the river Colne and cycled along past the university turning north towards Ardleigh. We passed through the village as the church bells were ringing out for the Sunday services — a very pleasant sound. At the same time the sun started to show itself through the clouds.

We arrived at our elevenses stop at Fillpots Garden Centre, Boxted and were joined there by three of the Tiptree riders. At first we appeared to overwhelm the serving staff with more than ten people arriving at once. However everybody got served and we set off in two slightly different groups towards Stoke by Nayland. The cold north wind kept our speed down as we continued to head north.

From Stoke by Nayland we proceeded down Gravel hill to Nayland and then crossed the busy A134 riding across the beautiful Stour Valley to Bures. On the way we lost four riders from my group as they felt that they needed food more than an extra four miles cycling and took the direct route to lunch. For the four remaining we took a roundabout through Arger Fen taking care to walk round the ford and were the last to arrive at The Eight Bells in Bures.

We had a long table and 14 sat down for an enjoyable lunch together.

The post lunch ride was a short distance through Mount Bures and then skirting Fordham through Woodland Trust country back into Colchester before the darkness had fully settled in.

By Des McCarron