Colchester Cycling UK

Tolleshunt D’Arcy Ride Report

April 1, 2012

We had apologies from quite a few of the regulars, but six of us (Mike, Maureen, Malcolm, Trevor, Clive, Pam) set off from Leisure World on a bright and cold morning.

Malcolm led us out to Boxted and Ford Street, then to Aldham for elevenses at Mill Race Garden Centre. We had good service, and cakes were given full marks. Clive chatted to the Grimseys from Colchester who had also made this their morning stop. We were making good time, so this was quite a relaxed break.

Then we were off again to Coggeshall, Kelvedon and Great Totham, before arriving at The Queens Head in Tolleshunt D’Arcy, where Mike left us in favour of getting back to Colchester.

We had a very warm welcome from staff, although food service was a bit slow because of a large private party, but the sun was out and we were very happy chatting in the beer garden. Here a 9 year old cyclist told us that she would soon be doing Bikeability training at school, and was very inquisitive to find out more about when we had all started cycling. Other locals inside were also keen to chat, and eventually some of us had to be reminded that we were on a bike ride!

After riding toward Tollesbury, Malcolm surprised us all by turning into Five Lakes, and we then had an interesting ride past the hotel and through the golf course (no injuries!), onto a bumpy track and around a few locked gates. Malcolm had emailed in advance to warn us that today’s route included an off road section — and he had also obtained permission from Five Lakes (if you decide to use this pleasant detour, he says it’s with permission of “Little George”!).

We came out into Rectory Road in Tiptree, where Maureen had lived as a child, and she explained to us that the two busy churches we had passed were now used by the Greek Orthodox church. In Tiptree we turned off to head for Messing and stopped for a picture at the “random gate” before leaving Maureen in Birch.

Cycling along Well Lane

On the bridleway leading to Chest Wood we passed two horse riders.

Cyclists and horses sharing a bridleway

On Olivers Lane Malcolm noticed my back tyre was looking rather flat, so Trevor very kindly pumped some air back into it ensuring I could make it back to Colchester.

Trevor pumping up Pams tyre

By Pam Nelson