I've had a great day out today.
Rode in the lead group to Wally's cafe, ordered my grub then realised they weren't eating. Deep down I knew the day would get warmer and I don't like to ride too hard so I was content to bid them farewell.
Wally's is a large cafe in a non descript industrial unit at Acton between Lavenham and Long Melford they were well prepared for us and all the power rangers on motorbikes who out numbered us. I had bacon, sausage and egg in a stick (Oakey's recomendation). From here I teamed up with Chris (of Severn Across organiser fame) we had a nice ride through some picturesque villages. There seemed to be a vintage car rally in the area and some concourse 2CV's on a treasure hunt which added interest along the way. Chris and I had a rack and mudguard coming together which sent me onto the nearside bank and into the nettles, put a buckle in my wheel and broke all the rivets on the back of my front mudguard, Chris' rear mech cable outer stripped a bit, I hope there was nothing else. We collected Fidgetbuzz here but shortly afterwards Chris stopped to eat more and I fiddled with my freestyling mudguard.
I arrived at Mistley on my own and saw Adamski and his mate, Chris S and Fidgetbuzz about to depart. There were some massive rooster chickens in the picnic area here. A young family came to sit down and all the chickens had to be shoed away but they kept coming back.
I set off on my own from here as Chris was still eating. I had to reapply suncream on this section as it was now very sunny. Some climbs and whooshing decents including Burnt Dick Hill, probably probably named after suffering on a sunny day in a field with a local wench I reckoned to myself. It semmed to take a long while to get to Colne Engaine, when I did eventually get there I was distracted by the terrace of the Five Bells pub and missed my turn so some extra miles. Stisted came eventually and a great welcome from Sean (sp?) a cyclist who runs the Speciality tea room, I didn't know it was there as I normally pass Stisted without going into the village. He told us about the history of the chimneys on the houses there, I can bore you with it another time if you like.
Owing to my detour I was able to hook up with Chris again and we completed the ride back to Woodham Mortimer.
As usual with these audaxes in my 'backyard' I discovered some new roads I haven't been on before. It was great to meet some more people from yacf, Chris S' effort on 83" fixed was immense, I'm very impressed. Plodding Pedro and staff made a great job off post ride grub and I agree with the other sentiments on here regarding the overall organisation, well done Ed and team and a big thankyou from me.
