Colchester Cycling UK

Kersey Ride Report

March 18, 2012

Four of us (Malcolm, Alan, Gillian and Pam) set off from Colchester Leisure World, fairly optimistic about the weather despite the early mist. Les and Gill rode their tandem from Tiptree and joined us for elevenses at the Dedham Art & Craft Centre. Full marks as always for the delicious cake.

We rode on via Raydon, Hintlesham and Bildeston to Chelsworth where we stopped briefly to admire a pretty double arched bridge opposite The Peacock Inn (a possible lunch venue for another ride?). And the sun actually shone once or twice! We were also encouraged when Gillian noticed a sign ‘Needham Market 7 miles’ which made us feel we had travelled quite a way from home.

Soon after the village of Lindsey we arrived for lunch at the Kersey Bell. Malcolm had checked in advance about lunch arrangements, but was told they were fully booked as it was Mother’s Day, so we had brought our own sandwiches which we had to eat outside. It started to get a bit chilly — and just as we set off again the rain began. Not to worry, Alan cheered us up by commenting that he was impressed by Malcolm’s route which included some sections that he wasn’t familiar with — a real accolade!

The route home was fairly short, via Polstead Heath, Thorington Street — and then Gillian had a puncture. But it couldn’t have happened at a better spot; although we were in a very narrow lane, there was a large grassy area at the entrance to a field, and we were soon on our way again. But not long after, Gillian noticed her tyre was flat again and as she was now just a mile or so from home, she decided to push her bike the rest of the way.

Fixing a puncture on Hunsdown Lane

Apart from this last mishap, we’d had an excellent day out and look forward to Malcolm’s next ride.

By Pam Nelson