Asparagus & Strawberries 400 from Manningtree (11/05/2013)

[Tomsk]

Sadly Red Lodge no longer provides the surreal nocturnal experience it was once famous for, being only open normal cafe hours. All the more reason to linger at Wells, then push on through the wasteland to breakfast.

The 24 hour Esso garage 'should' be expecting riders through the night and open up the shop to use the coffee machine [and hopefully not decide to shut both down to clean ]

Enterprising riders do a 'Deniece' and make a reclining chair out of sacks of coal/logs/barbecue briquettes etc for al fresco forecourt comfort....

[wilkyboy]

Enterprising riders do a 'Deniece' and make a reclining chair out of sacks of coal/logs/barbecue briquettes etc for al fresco forecourt comfort....

Although if it's as cold as the last time we stopped at Mildenhall garages, we will have to set light to those sacks rather than do a 'Deniece' on them

[Fidgetbuzz]

I think it was last time I rode this that I had a cracking 2 or 3 hour sleep in the house, that was just off route, of a forum member, who was riding the event as well - sadly ( for sleep options ) that choice is no longer available. I remember seeing Manotea asleep on the verge ( same ride I think?) -so must have been a warm night. Another year Ara got some stick when she tried to doze / sleep on/under a chair at Red Lodge - but that option has gone now. Mildenhall roundabout has some possibilities I think - decides to engage brain - and THINK about options.

[Fidgetbuzz]

Barton Mills Travelodge £37 a room for 11th may -- get 4 or 5 in there and it looks  vaguely possible if there was a similar paced group. Did teethgrinder get 8 in a room once?

[Mike Conway]

Sadly Red Lodge no longer provides the surreal nocturnal experience it was once famous for, being only open normal cafe hours. All the more reason to linger at Wells, then push on through the wasteland to breakfast.

The 24 hour Esso garage 'should' be expecting riders through the night and open up the shop to use the coffee machine [and hopefully not decide to shut both down to clean ]

Enterprising riders do a 'Deniece' and make a reclining chair out of sacks of coal/logs/barbecue briquettes etc for al fresco forecourt comfort....

That's a pity... not to worry, will probably find a nice bit of soft grass somewhere to collapse for 30-minutes or so. I recall having a 10-minute snooze in the sun about 4-hours before getting to Manningtree on the G&Y - did me the world of good. Will pack a bivvy in the saddle bag for the occasion.

[poweredbyveg]

Also gone for the Travelodge at Capel St Mary and car to Manningtree to give me maximum energy potential for the day. Realistically a 24 hour ride for me based on G&Y so will have to plan the food stops well, riding hungry in the dark is not a good idea.

Hi Big Saxon, I'm planning on leaving C st Mary travelodge at 8 then parking up in Manningtree, looked at the industrial areas off Station Road on streetview for possible parking places.

[i cycle]

Most of us parked at co-op on the G&Y, i will leave my car there again.

[poweredbyveg]

Most of us parked at co-op on the G&Y, i will leave my car there again.

Hey that looks good on streetview i-cycle, good tip 

[arabella]

There's also that picnic area where the ride used to start, in Brantham (next to where it says Ree Hall on the map).
Or the verges of the A137 are popular with walkers, it seems.

[red marley]

I rode from home (London) to join the Asparagus and Strawberries route from around Lavenham to Reedham Ferry today. I can report that the yellow fields that were so tardy in appearing are now out in full. In fact so much, that I am now suffering with monster hay fever in a darkened room. But it was a good ride and with a stonking tail wind almost all the way (responsible for a 230km ride in not much over 8 hours). I hope Tom has arranged something similar for next week with a swing in wind direction for us in the evening.

I had forgotten how pretty some bits of this ride are. I love the picture postcard villages (trying not to think of all the UKIP councillors they have just elected) and that stretch before Mellis, which feels like you're riding through a Constable painting.

Looking forward to the full 400 next week.

[Martin]

I'll be on the 0800 out of L'pool St arr 0855  may christen my winter bike with its first 200+ ride

[Auntie Helen]

Most of us parked at co-op on the G&Y, i will leave my car there again.

They warn about locking their gates but I suppose that won't matter if you're not back that early. There's parking on the road that leads to the co-op and goes alongside it - might be a better option.

[i cycle]

We did not park in their car park as it was closed when we got there for the g&y, we parked along the road and it was fine.

[Fidgetbuzz]

Forecast for Sat night looks as if it is going to feel VERY cold - so make sure you have enough kit with you to keep warm.
Goes away to contemplate using a Barley saddle bag

[Fidgetbuzz]

If it is really unpleasant - the Lloyds bank in Mildenhall has a foyer that you have to enter to get to the ATMs - so carry a debit card - swipe your way in - and you have a carpeted lie down area - and only 2 kms away from the Mildenhall roundabout

[Chris S]

Forecast for Sat night looks as if it is going to feel VERY cold - so make sure you have enough kit with you to keep warm.
Goes away to contemplate using a Barley saddle bag

(checks forecast)

Minimum 5c.

You weren't on the Green & Yellow Fields, were you Rog? 

[daveco]

What, plus 5! So I'll have to ice my own water. 

[marcusjb]

Spot the man who's been in Oz recently!

5 whole degrees - summer's coming! 

[Tomsk]

Those of us of an Essex persuasion have plans for BEER OVERCOATS after Wells   

The winter socks and gloves will be in the saddlebag though, too.

[αdαmsκι]

Night section?! That's what Travelodges are for!

[Fidgetbuzz]

BUT BUT -- although it is forecast to be 5 - my web page says it will feel like ZERO - and since we are likely to be wet too - I reckon good chance of fairly miserable

[daveco]

And for the Green and White Fields ride the actual temperature was about 4 below forecast!

[Chris S]

Well. It's certainly not looking as nice as last weekend turned out to be.

Sigh...

That was summer, wasn't it? Welcome to Autumn everyone  .

[rob]

Doesn't look too bad......

Showery in the afternoon.   Headwind from Acle to Wells, but there's always a headwind from Acle to Wells.

Cool overnight but doesn't look daft.   I'll pack the thicker gloves but probably not overshoes.

[PloddinPedro]

Good luck everyone. Keep safe.

I wish I was with you - sort of