Short rides for AGM Day 23/10/2024

It was a fantastic day of bright sunshine after rain and plenty of Easy Riders arrived at Weavers Park to participate in brief rides prior to the AGM.

I led my medium group in an anti-clockwise loop, starting on the Flitch Way, followed by some intricate turns around Cock Green and across to Notley, trying to find less-cycled roads in a very familiar area. We saw a pair of kites flying adjacent to the Flitch Way, and further on saw a sparrowhawk. Having cycled the route on the Monday before, I was relieved to find that my warnings about the bottom of Green Lanes (a byway to Black Notley) being stony, then deep gravel, then mud, were unfounded, because in just two days, the track had dried out and settled.

Health & safety tip for the day relates to last week’s ride. Beware of greasy roads! I was attacking the hill up through Shalford, before we turned left onto Hulls Lane. I’d not really noticed that the road surface was so worn that it had developed polished deep grooves – tram tracks – from car tyres. As I pedalled, I started sliding left, to crash into the kerb. I tried to steer up to the textured surfaced in the middle of the road but kept sliding left. I started to yelp with fright that I was going to come off. Then fortunately I reached a dropped kerb where I managed to mount the kerb and came to a standstill by colliding with a brick gatepost. Fortunately, I remained upright and was not hurt. So, in sunshine after rain, try to stick to the textured surfaces in the centre of the lane.

We returned via Masefield Road and Skitts Hill, another couple of roads that I’d not ridden for a while, before arriving for the AGM at the Catholic Church Hall. I’d like to thank all the club members who carry out some role within the Easy Riders. I happened to say I was very glad that a committee member was prepared to do her role, as I really did not want to do it. She replied that she was suited to her role but really did not want to be a ride leader. So, I’d encourage every member to find something that fits what they are – in either a formal or informal way – from doing the club’s accounts, to stacking chairs after a meeting or encouraging other riders when the going gets tough. And if anyone wants to do a blog post, I’d welcome them warmly. I’d also encourage anyone else who has ride photos to post them on the blog, especially riding shots and refreshment stops for the short and long groups. I’m focus on photos of people and objects, but my landscapes are inept!

16 miles (only!) average 9.1 mph

Cathy MacTaggart