Colchester Cycling UK
Colchester 40/40 Ride Report
August 10, 2014
The weather forecast for the day did not look very good. It was raining as I set off from Colchester to the Bungalow Diner at Marks Tey. There were three or four cyclists already there (about 9:15 am) but little paperwork at that time! Malcolm soon arrived with the route sheets and Brian arrived shortly after 9:30 am with signing in sheets after being held up with the train at Shenfield. Riders were by now arriving slowly so by about 9:45 am there were thirteen riders. There were five regular Colchester riders plus two riders from the area, five from the Chelmsford group and one representing SEG.
It was decided that we set off at 10 am, ten riders doing the 40 km and three the 40 miles. After Malcolm had taken a photo of the magical thirteen we set off.
I offered to lead the 40 km group and everyone was happy with my steady pace.
The route would take us up through Fordham, Wormingford and over the border into Suffolk. By the time we had turned right onto the lumpy Nayland road and left onto the Leavenheath road it looked as if it could rain heavily any moment. After turning off right along Plough Lane and through the golf course we were afforded some shelter by the high trees either side. It did get quite dark after a time through the wooded area and there were also loose stones under wheel. The lane on the other side of the main road leading to Polstead was similar.
We arrived at The Cock Inn just after 11:30 am; they don’t normally open until 12 noon but on seeing us the door opened and we were saved from a heavy downpour and thunder! We also had welcome cups of tea/coffee and cake. We set off from Polstead after the worst of the rain had passed after putting on a few more waterproofs.
Robert rode alongside me shortly afterwards with a big smile on his face and summed it all up by saying, “well I’m glad I didn’t sit at home today”. About one and a half miles from Copford the heavens opened so my feet were wet in a very short time. We arrived at The Alma just after the worst had eased off.
The 40 km ride in numbers:
- Distance: 29.4 miles
- Avg speed: 10.0 mph
By Alan Palmer
Other Reports
- Maldon, February 25, 2018
- Little Baddow, September 17, 2017
- Great Notley, May 14, 2017
- Wivenhoe, January 1, 2017
- Maldon, January 31, 2016
- Earls Colne, January 24, 2016
- Great Totham, January 1, 2016
- Langford, October 18, 2015
- Tollesbury, September 20, 2015
- Wherstead, September 13, 2015
- Polstead, February 8, 2015
- Bures, November 30, 2014
- Earls Colne, October 12, 2014
- Stratford St Mary, September 28, 2014
- Colchester 40/40, August 10, 2014
- Woodham Mortimer, July 27, 2014
- Littley Green, July 13, 2014
- Castle Hedingham, June 29, 2014
- Copford, December 29, 2013
- Goldhanger, December 22, 2013
- Hadleigh, November 17, 2013
- Shotley Gate, August 25, 2013
- Woodham Walter, August 18, 2013
- Great Bardfield, July 28, 2013
- Great Wenham, June 9, 2013
- Kersey and Hadleigh, June 2, 2013
- Coggeshall, April 21, 2013
- Greenstead Green, November 11, 2012
- Great Wenham, October 14, 2012
- Heybridge Basin, September 2, 2012
- Colchester 40/40, August 5, 2012
- Stisted, June 24, 2012
- Walton on the Naze, June 10, 2012
- Wickham St Pauls, June 3, 2012
- Colne Engaine, May 27, 2012
- Rayne, May 20, 2012
- Harkstead, May 13, 2012
- Long Melford, May 6, 2012
- Bures, April 15, 2012
- Tolleshunt D’Arcy, April 1, 2012
- Harwich, March 25, 2012
- Kersey, March 18, 2012
- Stisted, November 27, 2011