The Joy of Essex- Saturday 16th of October

I hope someone starts a thread for this Glendene ride soon. I don't want to miss it.

What is this Glendene ride? Haven't heard of it yet.

I'll just add my thanks to Peter Carter for organising, it's good route and was a well managed ride.

Had a great blast up to Matchling Green trying to hang onto ConVal's wheel, strong riding fella, that was quite a headwind to battle into. Getting dizzy on the roundabout and the attack of the killer deer were highlights too.

Although I was a bit optimistic giving myself an hour and a quarter to get the 20 plus miles back in time for the football I would have only just missed kick off except for a fking pcture in Walthamstow.

What is this Glendene ride? Haven't heard of it yet.

Peter Carter said there was a bike jumble, not too far away, this weekend and suggested a ride to it.

I'll just add my thanks to Peter Carter for organising, it's good route and was a well managed ride.
...

+1, a good days riding. I do find that big road through epping a bit of a boring slog though. Having said that, not many ways around it and it is quite a good road to stretch the legs...

The lanes into and around matching green were great. Really enjoyed those stretches, a little bit rolly and windy too. And the deer, what a highlight...I shan't forget that in a long time...majestic beast!

Thanks for putting up with me as far as the Waterworks!

Next year... next year...

http://eastendimages.tumblr.com/

coupla pics

EEI, I gotcha!

I've got few more, but can't upload the en masse from the phone (I'll use the laptop later)

did lynx turn up for this one?

Yep, but we lost the sight of him after about 500 yards.

Peeled off with shoosh,was tooled up and fixed her bike.

Now anyone fancy doing hangmans hill near High beech?

Peeled off with shoosh,was tooled up and fixed her bike.

For which I am eternally grateful.

Down or uphill?

I thought I would leave it a few days before posting the post ride post so I can better understand what you thought if of the ride. It’s now Tuesday so here it is.

Firstly, a big thank you to every one for turning up on a ride that was, twice as big as the last one and with out, I believe, any of the original participants from last year. This made running it slightly more challenging than I thought it would be, so thanks to Wools , Fran and all the others who stepped in to help marshal, guide or mend punctures.

Did the ride work? . The idea of the ride was always to show forum members how to ride out of East London to the Essex countryside on a route that was fixed friendly and where no one got dropped or lost. I can see from the above post that it succeeded in doing this, despite the Deer incident.

What didn’t work was that you went to the wrong pub, but I don't think that matters. The organic farm would perhaps have been more of our sort of place, so perhaps lunch there next time.

So what have I learnt from running the 2nd version of this ride? Well, I need to plan the back part of the route as much as the out part .Especially the latter stages when people are getting tired. I am also thinking about becoming a cycle trainer.

Yes, as some of you have posted, the ride out to Epping is a drag and it’s busy. You can get into the countryside quicker via Theydon ( turn off at what is now to be called the Deer Roundabout) and then ride up the Roding Valley or over Toot Hill into deepest Essex, buts that's a much hillier route.

When it’s run again, the return route should be Matching Green -Moreton - N Weald to reduce the risk of wrong turnings...

If you have any other comments on Saturday or ideas for similar rides then do let me know.

So, can I once again express my gratitude to everyone for coming on Saturday? I will gladly run this ride again even if its only to the Tea Hut @ High Beach ( Beech ) and I am still thinking about Strictly Come Hill Climbing ride for next month……

Peeled off with shoosh,was tooled up and fixed her bike.

Now anyone fancy doing hangmans hill near High beech?

Lynx, thanks for doing that

Shoosh do you want to go out to the Tea hut another time ?

BTW - where is Hangman's hill?

Lynx, thanks for doing that

Shoosh do you want to go out to the Tea hut another time ?

BTW - where is Hangman's hill?

I will take you up on that soon. I'm allowed to cycle but am meant to be escorted... ! Long story...

Lynx, thanks for doing that

Shoosh do you want to go out to the Tea hut another time ?

BTW - where is Hangman's hill?

Its near the tea hut, its a magnetic hill (Optical illusion) and you can freewheel up hill.

From A406 take the high road exit
Then travel on it towards hangman's hill Epping Forest
This road becomes Wood fordgreen, continue traveling u will reach Epping new road.
Take the first left from the round about to Cross road towards high beach. Continue traveling u will pass a cemetery and a huge church. Cross road then becomes Aevy lane. U have to find a triangular type of spot and the best hint for the location is there is a farm right ahead of it like the forest ends there. From avey lane turn towards pynest green lane.
"This turn is the hangman's strip where u park ur car and see it move up the hill".

@ Peter Carter
I know you hadn't planned on us having lunch at the Chequers (or whaterver it is called), but the rain made this a good choice!

I fell in love with big chunky chips at the Chequers...

thanks for taking us on the ride. for future reference where is the organic farm?

I need that steak ciabbatta back in me life!

told you it was a good choice.

unlike the crappy little bagel with a bit of salmon on it for £30

I can make you a bagel with organic salmon for free, if you wash up after.

don't tempt me, I'm a student so will take anything free.

You should start a co-op with Max and Xander.