Kelvedon Circular Ride Saturday May 3rd 2012
Just six of us headed off on the train to Kelvedon. I had received several texts and a couple of calls in the week from people who liked the idea of a jaunt in Essex. Then, a couple more that morning, informing me that the weekend’s forecast had dissuaded them. Well, a word to the weathershy. Clouds threatened rain (which never actually appeared) for just a few moments around lunchtime and the afternoon was absolutely glorious. My advice is, if you feel like getting out on your bike, just go
for it. The weather is often never as bad as you think it’s going to be, and on those very rare occasions that it might be, in the South East of this land you are never far from a pub or tea room, or even a train station to get you back to the warm and dry.
We left Kelvedon and headed up the B road for a short while to Coggeshall. Soon we turned off onto quiet country lanes, then a little bit of woodland off road, followed by farm tracks, those of us on skinny tyres only having to get off for a few yards on
deep gravel. The yellow Roberts and rider were fine however, trundling sturdily over a variety of rough surfaces on this short stretch, never needing to stop or dismount. It’s what the Roberts Roughstuff is built for. Lovely bike.
Then more quiet lanes, very few cars, loads of birds, including a whole flock of greenfinches rising out of the bushes just ahead of us, and several birds of prey circling above, which I lack the knowledge to identify. A couple of green woodpeckers flew from tree to tree alongside us for a while.
The countryside here in the Colne valley is not spectacular, but pretty, rolling farmland dotted with old Essex weatherboard farmhouses, a few peaceful village greens and quiet pubs. The climbs are gentle, but the descents can be quite exhilarating. A ride in this area is just what one needs to unwind after a working week in the capital.
We lunched at the bottom of one of these descents, at The Shoulder of Mutton, in Aldham. Very much an Essex pub, weatherboarded, oak beams and open fire inside. Beautiful riverside garden, which begs for a revisit on a summer ride.
Then off to head south of the Colne and back to Kelvedon via Tiptree. Some of our number were feeling the effects of a first longish ride after the winter, and I decided to trim a few miles off, after our tour of Tiptree. We took a road I had not used before and it turned out to be a cracker, swooping downhill through rolling slopes with great views, blue skies and sun above us, and then carrying us through Kelvedon, past the beautiful mill house on the River Blackwater and back to the station, where a London bound train was due in less than 15 minutes. About 45 miles in all. A lovely ride in good company. Thanks to all who came along. I hope you enjoyed the day as much as me.