Suffolk Sojourn Recce Ride next week - anyone want to come along?

[Auntie Helen]

I'm going to do a second recce of my Suffolk Sojourn ride next week as I've made a few changes on advice from various people (and having ridden it) and want to check 'em out, plus find a decent lunch stop as where we went last time was a bit too nouvelle cuisine for cyclists.

Anyone want to keep me company? It would be from Manningtree Station (an hour out of Liverpool Street), about fifty five miles I think, or perhaps a few less. Surprisingly rollingly hilly for Essex. If you have an aversion to thatched cottages and pretty churches, this is not for you.

It will either be Wed 16, Thu 17 or Fri 18 September.

Let me know if you want to come along. It won't be super-fast (probably average of 11-12mph) but should be very scenic.

[Wowbagger]

I could do Thurs 17th. What time would you like to start?

[Auntie Helen]

I've had two other offers for Thursday 17th so it sounds like a good plan!

One of those offers said Manningtree at 11:00am would suit him so shall we go for that? It's slightly later than I'd like, but I'm all for fitting in with others.

[Wowbagger]

Hmm... 53 miles, 11 a.m. start. This will be 5 hours' riding time. 2 hours' stops. I've got an evening appointment at 8 p.m...

You are going round your published route in an anti-clockwise direction, aren't you?

Sorry to be a pain, but I like to calculate fairly exactly what I'm up to.

Actually, looking at the Nat Rail website, that works out fairly well if I get a cheap day return from Rayleigh. Stupid thing is my Network Card doesn't get me a discount on that train if I get on a Prittlewell at 9.48 because it's before 10.00. If I get on at Rayleigh, where it's due in at 10, I do get the discount. It's a 7 mile ride to Rayleigh to save me £6. That train gets me to Manningtree at 10.58.

Rayleigh is also the nearest station to my 8 p.m. appointment.

If we look as though we are running late, do you mind if I dip out at Bures on the way back and make for Marks Tey?

[Auntie Helen]

That's fine, Wow; you can even bail at Sudbury if we have any other holdups.

Yes, I am planning to do it anticlockwise taking in the tea room you suggested and an alternative route around Sudbury that a chum recommended. I haven't yet redone the route on Bikehike but will do it in due course when I've got my head around being back in the UK...

[Oaky]

If this is still going ahead on Thursday at 11 then I'm almost definitely in.

Looking forward to acquainting myself with some of those lanes (or perhaps reacquainting in a few cases since a couple of audaxes I've been on this year seem to have been across similar areas).

Cheers,
Mark

[Auntie Helen]

That would be good, Mark. Looks like it'll be me, the Wows and possibly Delthebike.

Updated route here: bikehike.co.uk - Course Creator

Trailblazing bit at the end between Dedham Heath and Manningtree. I cycle that way all the time, never noticed that road but my OS Map combined with Google Earth suggests it's a possible. Who knows! I may investigate that part of the route tomorrow or Wednesday if I can get some of my wretched work out of the way first.

11am at Manningtree Station is still the start time. It's 53 miles and with our occasional trailblazing attempts, plus general faffiness that always seems to occur when I and the Wows cycle together, you will probably need some lights!

Look forward to seeing you there. If you want to arrive early, Manningtree Station does a cracking Half Breakfast which will set you up for the day.

[Moondog]

Good morning,AH.

That last part of your reece that gosvia Lawford Hall,i am sure is not a track.It is the estate entrance.The foot path goes via Laford Church yard and down a steep track to Manningtree Station.Not good for tandems,your thingy and autumnal gloom.

Would like a ride but the dog sitter is on jury service at the mo.

n

[Auntie Helen]

Ah Moondog, that's helpful. I was thinking of going to take a look-see today when I've got rid of some of my work, but the rain is putting me off this plan. Initial route was to just hop onto the A137 at the end and enjoy the delights of Cox's Hill so I'll presumably revert to that.

I've changed my route through Boxted as I find it so confusing but this new route takes me on roads with which I am familiar. But hilly. If you're familiar with Boxted, do you think it looks OK? It's such a weird, spread-out village.

[Moondog]

Took the old dog for a walk in the fields around Lawford Church today.That is a private road leading to the farm estate.

Boxted. From Langham I usually go North at Boxford Cross,Past Boxted Church(bit hilly) and then down Boxted Church Road,Accross 134 into Tog Lane then up to Little Horkesley. Keeps you off A134.

South from Hadleigh.I usually take Lower Layham,Shelly,Lower Raydon,Higham,Stratford St.Mary.Then you can go Ardleigh or Dedham.

Gladly show you my routed maps tomorrow.Let me know by pm.

n

[Oaky]

The Witham Westerley Audax went to Manningtree (actually Mistley was the destination).

The roads it used are here.  Can't say as I remember much about that bit apart from the swans at Mistley.

[Auntie Helen]

That's helpful, thankyou Mark. Another route through Boxted... the village of multiple routes!

I'll see how we get on with my plotted route and if it's not good I'll work on another. I'm trying to reduce the hills for those of us on recumbents/tandems!

[Auntie Helen]

Link to route above updated to cut out the wrong bit at the end.

[Wowbagger]

Haven't heard from Del. Is he in or not? I PM'd him.

[Auntie Helen]

Haven't heard either...

[delthebike]

I said I was a maybe and now I'm a not. Have fun.

[Wowbagger]

Just about ready to leave...

[Auntie Helen]

I'm meeting Mark Oakden at Manningtree for a cuppa at 10:30 when he gets in. I've already had my breakfast so no need for another.

See y'all at 11am.

[Oaky]

Ahhh... breakfast,  lovely lanes, chat, doughnuts  , more chat and picturesque quiet lanes, cake, coffee, chat, lanes, curry, beer, chat, more splendid lanes, another doughnut  and another beer (owing to just missing a train at Manningtree).

A thoroughly enjoyable day in great company.