You are looking at Recent Rides 2008
|
|
|
|
 
Sunday 6th January 2008 The start was in the main car park of Alton Water Reservoir on a cold but sunny day for a winter walk of about 4 miles. Leaving at ten minutes past ten Paul and Susan led a group made up of Ann, John and Maureen, Ken and Margaret, Carlo and Estelle. The route took in Stutton and down to the River Stour foreshore at Holbrook Bay, along to lower Holbrook, then turning North to Holbrook Church, then west to return along the top of the reservoir dam arriving back at the car park at 12-45 where nine of us managed to squeeze into Ken and Margaret's camper van to have our sandwiches along with a cup of tea. 
Sunday 3rd February 2008 This is the second year we have had a February walk in place of a ride, as well as our regular walk in january. And it seems seems to be gaining in popularity, the idea of having a walk instead of a Tandem ride is that even if the weather brings snow and ice we can still enjoy a safe and extremely sociable day out together. 12 members met near Sudbourne church at 10-30am for a four to five mile route via footpaths and forest tracks that took us through Captains Wood. a Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve where we were fortunate to come across a large group of 20 or more Fallow deer, we also spotted a couple of Muntjac Deer later on in the walk. There was a cold wind blowing but we were sheltered by the woodlands so it was not a problem. We arrive back at the cars at 1-00pm and after tea and sandwiches we looked around Sudbourne church before going our different ways at about 2-15pm. |
Sunday 2nd March 2008 Five Tandems left from the start at the rear of the Holiday Inn just outside Ipswich. We traveled via Mace Green, where we stopped to admire some unusual birds,(who in turn came over to admire our Tandems). We continued on to Wenham where we diverted along a track to view Wenham Castle and the Church, after which we retraced our steps back on to the road and continued on to elevens's at the Harvest Moon cafe on the A12 at Capel St Mary. From elevens's John and Sheila left for home on account of they had already ridden 20 miles to get to the start and would probably have covered 50 miles by the time they had got home. The four remaining tandems continued via Bentley and Tattingstone to Alton Water where we had a picnic lunch looking across the reservoir. The ride back to the start was via Holbrook, Tattingstone White Horse, Belstead, and Copdock. An enjoyable route led by Paul and Susan finishing at 3-00pm having covered about 28 miles. John and Sheila had planned a ride centered on Thorndon Bowls Club. Unfortunately due to a combination of accident, illness, and the wet weather, John and Sheila had the ride to themselves. no one else attending. 
The weather for Blaxhall this year could not have been better, with the sun shining at all times. The only problem this year was that due to an accident causing the road closure of the A14 many visitors had two or more hours added to their traveling time. The much improved hall facilities were appreciated by the 26 units that attended he event. 
Sunday 1st June 2008 This ride was led by Ken Rickard on his solo (Maureen having to stay behind due to a broken shoulder) The start was at Colchester and at 10-00am Ken led a party of three tandems and three solo's heading for the tea room at Birch. The weather was cold and misty requiring an unscheduled stop to add on more clothing,but fortunately it remained dry. On leaving elevens's an interesting ride took us to Fingrinhoe Wick Nature Reserve where another tandem club couple on their solo's joined us. Here we were able to get a drink and eat our sandwiches in the very comfortable and well laid out visitor centre. We finished up at the end of the day having covered 35 miles back at the leaders house where we enjoyed tea and cakes. A good day out in countryside that many of us were not very familiar with. 
Sunday 6th July 2008.There were only the ride leaders plus Ken and Margaret out today.Paul and Susan led us on an interesting route that took us through, Flowton, Elmsett, and Kersey, for elevens's at Semer Farm shop Hollowtrees. Next stop was Chelsworth where we stopped to eat our sandwiches and to try out a different sort of ride on a rocking horse! The rain clouds threatened us, but held off until we were nearly back in Ipswich where Susan provided tea and cakes at the end of a 26 mile ride. 
23rd-25th August 2008. Eight members camped at the Mildenhall cycling rally this year and enjoyed the grass track racing and the trade stands. On the Saturday the Suffolk Section members enjoyed a 32 mile round trip to Ely, where after eleven's at the Cathedral we looked around the town and had our picnic lunch beside the river. We returned to Mildenhall via an excellent Sustrans route that followed the river bank as far as Barway where it returned to the road and took us to Soham, where we stopped for tea, next stop was at Isleham Church which had an interesting exhibition, stalls and more refreshments. We arrived back at Mildenhall at about 4-30 pm. 
Fri-Sun 5th-7th September 08 . Four members camped at Smallwood Green, six miles southeast of Bury-St-Edmunds. We had just got set up on the Friday morning and the rain started, but Ken and Margaret did not let it stop them from doing a very wet 18 mile ride in the afternoon. The next day (Saturday) started out looking good and so along with Ray and Mary we went to E&V's at Needham Market for elevens's, we continued via Stowupland to Old Newton, where we had our sandwich lunch enjoying the sunshine and watching the trains go by. By the time we reached our tea stop at Woolpit it was trying to rain again but the tea shop, and the museum opposite provided shelter and we were able to get back to the campsite in the dry. A total of 34 miles covered. For the Sunday we had planned to get packed up ready to go home in the morning but to have a short ride late morning and early afternoon to visit Felsham where they were holding a street fair. John Sheila rode out for the day to join us, However due to the rain we all sat in one motor home drinking tea and chatting instead. 
Sunday 5th October 2008 It had been raining overnight, and it was still raining for the start of our Birthday Ride. However it did not stop three Tandems and one Solo from riding out to elevenses at Willowmead Alpacas. As the rain showed no sign of abating we decided to shorten the rest of the ride from ten miles to five miles, and have an early lunch back at the R.O's home in Woodbridge. We were joined in the afternoon by another tandem couple and between us all we were able to fill in almost all the ride dates for 2009. The day ended (still raining) with our birthday tea and cake, the 20 birthday candles being blown out by our youngest active member Alexander Sunday 7th December 2008 No leader was available so no ride took place  |
|