Colchester Cycling UK

Stisted Ride Report

November 27, 2011

I took the plunge and led my first Colchester CTC ride on Sunday, November 27, relieving Alan Palmer of duties for once.

An unheard of nineteen cyclists left Colchester, ploughing into a strong headwind, along the lanes of Hardy’s Green and Messing — where three more joined us — and onto our elevenses stop at The Exchange, Tiptree. All refreshed, and ready for more energy-sapping wind, we headed out to Kelvedon and onto Silver End, eventually rejoining the lanes to Bradwell, and across the A120 to the renowned Specialities Tea Rooms in Stisted.

It seemed like the place was evacuated to make way for us all, and we each enjoyed a bite to eat and something to drink in the most pleasant of surroundings. The warmth of the hosts in the Tea Rooms is most appealing and in stark contrast to some other establishments where cyclists are scoffed at!

From Stisted we made our way through Burtons Green and peeled off toward the Earls Colne Airfield, along Nightingale Hall Road. Lanes don’t come much quieter than this, as it is closed to through-traffic by way of two concrete blocks across the road that leave just enough space for bikes to get through. Around the airfield we pedalled (just missing out on seeing a light aircraft take-off), through Great Tey and Aldham, homeward bound.

That so many attended was testiment to the determination and perseverence of Alan Palmer to get regular Sunday rides off the ground in Colchester. I would like to extend my personal thanks to Alan for all he does.

By Malcolm Mitchell