You are looking at Recent Rides 2009
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Sunday 4th January 2009 16 members left the Kettleburgh Chequers Pub at 10 minutes past 10 for a 4 mile crosscountry walk using footpaths and bridleways . The weather was cold but the day was brightened up by a weak sun. The route followed took us North to Kettleburgh Church where we had a look around, then continued North to Brunswick Farm where we turned South West for Brandeston Church. Unfortunately we were unable to visit the Church as there was a service being held. We then turned East and followed the road back to the Chequers arriving at 12-30 in plenty of time for a 1-00 o'clock lunch where Ron & Debs the licensees had set aside a room for 20 to accommodate us. We have been doing these winter walks for some years now, but this was the first occasion that we have arranged to have a pub lunch finish and it proved very popular.  
Sunday 1st February 2009 Eight members met at 10-00am at the access track leading to the Trimley Marsh Nature Reserve just as it started to snow. As we had all come well wrapped up and prepared for the worst we decided to continue the walk as planned. Luckily the wind carrying the snow was coming from behind us and not in our faces, and by the time we reached the visitor centre the snow had stopped. After spending some time in the visitor centre and in the hides watching the birds we started on the return journey. What a difference! no snow and bright sunshine so we took the opportunity to detour to the viewpoint at Fagbury Cliff which overlooks the Felixstowe Docks. We arrived back where we had parked our cars at about 12-45pm with the sun still shining but the day still only just above freezing. We all agreed that it had been an enjoyable day. 
Sunday 1st March 2009 Three Tandems and one solo started from Bramford Picnic site at 10-00am. Led by Paul and Susan we headed for our elevens's stop at Suffolk Food Hall at Wherstead, traveling via Flowton, Hintlesham, Copdock. Lunch was via Freston, and Tattingstone, to the Gardeners Arms Pub at Stutton. The final run for home was via, Tattingstone, Capel St Mary, Copdock, Sproughton, arriving back at Bramford at 3-45PM. 32 miles covered (except for John and Sheila who rode out to the start and who would have covered about 70 miles by the time they got home) 
Sunday 5th April 2009 Four Tandems led by John and Sheila started from Thorndon in bright sunshine. 13 miles took us to elevenses at The Six Bells pub at Walsham-le-Willows which had opened up early to accomodate us and made us very welcome. Emerging from the pub we found that the weather was warming up nicely and that a layer of clothing could be removed prior to the planned 12 mile route to our lunch venue at Redgrave and Lopham Fen. The Visitor Centre provided tea to go with our picnic lunch, and after a look round the exhibits in the centre we all had a stroll along one of the waymarked walks to see if we could find the elusive Fen Raft Spider. A final ride of 10 miles took us back to the leaders house to enjoy tea and cake at the end of what had been a very enjoyable day before all departed in different directions for home 
Fri-Mon 1st-4th May 2009 This was a camping weekend and it was nice to see so many of our cycling friends from many parts of the country joining us. The weather was dry and sunny but with rather a cold wind. Campers formed up into different groups to go to various different locations of their choosing. The only organized ride was on the Sunday which would be the normal monthly ride for the Suffolk Section and was an easy paced led ride of 27 miles, visiting Buxhall for eleven's and a look round the museum, with a two hour stop to look around Lavenham and have lunch. We are planning to repeat the same informal event on the same site next year. 
Sunday 7th June 2009 Eight members assembled at Ray and Mary's home in Newmarket for a ride across the Fens near Ely. Unfortunately during preparation for the start the heavens opened up and it poured with rain. As it looked set to continue for most of the day it was decided the ride would not take place. Instead we all stayed indoors at Ray and Mary's and we all had a good chat, and Mary prepared the planned after ride meal early. All departed for home around 3.30pm, having very much enjoyed the day despite not doing any cycling. We look forward to trying to do this ride again on the 6th September. 
Sunday 6th July 2009 This months ride started from the leaders house at Castle Hedingham in Essex. Although the weather was excellent there were only two tandems on the day, crewed by Richard and Alex and Ken and Margaret. As stopping places for elevens's were in short supply in the area Richard arranged for Adele to meet us at Rodbridge picnic site with Tea, Coffee and refreshments. By now the sun was really hot as we set off via Great Waldringfield for our lunch stop at Edwardstone White Horse. After lunch we traveled via Boxford and Bures back to Richards house in Castle Hedingham where Adele had laid out an impressive tea for us, which we were able to enjoy sitting out in the garden in the sunshine. An excellent day out with a total of 39 miles covered. 
Sat-Mon 29th-31st August 2009
For various reasons only one Suffolk Tandem crew camped at the
rally site this year, although most of our active members visited
at some point over the three days.
The weather was excellent and the event as usual was well
organized by the Mildenhall Cycling Club.
A new idea this year was a led walk starting from the information
centre on the Saturday, and as Ken and Margaret had ridden most of
the local roads over the past 21 years of attending the event they
decided to go on the walk.
Sunday 6th September 2009 This months ride started from Ray and Mary's home in Newmarket. Those riding were John and Sheila, Richard and Alex, and John Seaborn on his solo and Ken and Margaret who led the ride that had been designed by Ray. They were backed up by by Ray and Mary in their camper van assisted by Johns wife Maureen who drove out to the green at Reach where they provided us with a welcome elevenses stop. Continuing on we stopped for a while at Upware where we watched a boat negotiating the lock. Lunch was taken at Wicken Fen visitor centre, after which we picked up the excellent offroad NCR 11 across the fen to come out at Burwell, then on to Exning where we picked up NCR 51 to lead us back into Newmarket. A very pleasant ride of 27 miles on very quiet roads, finishing with afternoon tea at Ray and Mary's 
Sunday 4th October 2009
Due to several of our more active members being unable to attend we did not have our usual Birthday Tea. Instead it became a normal ride but with the starting point being the elevenses stop at The Crockery Barn Ashbocking.From there we had a leisurely ride to the Chequers pub at Kettleburgh for lunch. The sun was warm and the location sheltered and so we sat outside with our meal and drinks and planned some of our activities for 2010. We still have several dates unfilled and Ken and Margaret will pleased to hear from members who can suggest venue's or lead a ride. |