Tiptree Velo Venture Into New Territories – geographical and personal.
Following weeks of eager anticipation we made our way to Mark’s to drop off bags and spares to find the first of example of the organisation that had gone into the weekend – clearly signed event parking! Back at home we collected the bikes and made our way to the Exchange for coffee, once again wonderfully organised and served partially by Andy – we are not worthy! The last of the bags safely placed in the support vehicle, and we were on our way to Bury St Edmunds via a route Trix had been thinking about since we first mentioned the idea at Kersey Mill last year. So off to Kersey Mill it was once again, following some familiar roads initially and then into new territory for some of the group. The scenic route took in two fords, both negotiated safely, and some stunning views over the north Essex and south Suffolk countryside. Bacon butties, tea and coffee had been pre-booked and from Kersey we made our way to our next watering hole, the bungalow set in pretty garden belonging to Trix’s parents at Stowmarket. Thanks go to them for providing hot and cold beverages, home made cake, and the opportunity to use a loo, rather than having to find bushes! The final push to Bury and we arrived en masse just in time to have a well earned ice cream in the Abbey Gardens. From here to the hotel, shower, change, quick drink in the bar and then back to town for dinner, all arranged once again by Trix. Fed and watered, we wandered back to the hotel and after another drink in the bar we hit the beds, tired and anticipating another day on the bikes tomorrow.
Sunday dawned grey but promising better weather, and after breakfast off we set heading for our first stop in Long Melford. Following a little (planned) detour round Lavenham, we arrived in Long Melford to find our support team of John and Pam had sourced not only a lovely little tea room where we could eat and drink, but one where they allowed us to bring the bikes inside with us – well done to them, a superb find! The next leg of the journey was a little different to what most of are used to, quiet lanes but with the added challenge of steep hills both up and down, but once again resulting in some lovely views over the countryside. Safely on the green at Bures, we had the opportunity to top up water bottles, have a drink and a piece of flapjack, (and a sneaky use of the pub’s loos!). Finally we were on the last leg back to Tiptree, a familiar route for some, a new one for others, arriving back in good time.
2 days, 110 miles, 10 cyclists, 2 man support team, no punctures, lots of food and drink, and a huge feeling of achievement. Thanks go to everyone who was involved in making the weekend such a success, including Mark for supplying the support vehicle and grabbing the last village sign of the day.
HD
We broke the boundaries…. we crossed the border… we stayed away all night like crazy young things! We also rode 110 miles from Tiptree to Bury St Edmunds and back through the beautiful villages of Essex & Suffolk.
Many thanks to Tracey & Andy for the tea and coffee send off at The Exchange on Saturday morning, Rosie & crew for the bacon rolls at Kersey Mill, Trix’s Mum & Dad for the drinks and cake at the Combs Ford outdoor tea room, John and Pam for driving the support vehicle, Steve H for carrying enough tools to completely rebuild all 12 bikes and Abdu for continually talking and keeping everyone’s spirits up for both days.
The picturesque villages & towns of Kersey, Lindsey, Chelsworth, Bildeston, Buxhall, Felsham, Bury St Eds, Lavenham, Long Melford & Bures were all visited on our scenic trip and between the hills and the eating and a few more hills on the way back and a little bit more eating, a good time was had by all.
What border shall we cross on our 2017 expedition??? Well done everyone!
s once again, following some familiar roads initially and then into new territory for some of the group. The scenic route took in two fords, both negotiated safely, and some stunning views over the north Essex and south Suffolk countryside. Bacon butties, tea and coffee had been pre-booked and from Kersey we made our way to our next watering hole, the bungalow set in pretty garden belonging to Trix’s parents at Stowmarket. Thanks go to them for providing hot and cold beverages, home made cake, and the opportunity to use a loo, rather than having to find bushes! The final push to Bury and we arrived en masse just in time to have a well earned ice cream in the Abbey Gardens. From here to the hotel, shower, change, quick drink in the bar and then back to town for dinner, all arranged once again by Trix. Fed and watered, we wandered back to the hotel and after another drink in the bar we hit the beds, tired and anticipating another day on the bikes tomorrow.
Sunday dawned grey but promising better weather, and after breakfast off we set heading for our first stop in Long Melford. Following a little (planned) detour round Lavenham, we arrived in Long Melford to find our support team of John and Pam had sourced not only a lovely little tea room where we could eat and drink, but one where they allowed us to bring the bikes inside with us – well done to them, a superb find! The next leg of the journey was a little different to what most of are used to, quiet lanes but with the added challenge of steep hills both up and down, but once again resulting in some lovely views over the countryside. Safely on the green at Bures, we had the opportunity to top up water bottles, have a drink and a piece of flapjack, (and a sneaky use of the pub’s loos!). Finally we were on the last leg back to Tiptree, a familiar route for some, a new one for others, arriving back in good time.
2 days, 110 miles, 10 cyclists, 2 man support team, no punctures, lots of food and drink, and a huge feeling of achievement. Thanks go to everyone who was involved in making the weekend such a success, including Mark for supplying the support vehicle and grabbing the last village sign of the day.
TMM
A tour for Tiptree Velo
It can’t be very far
12 cyclists and support staff
Who caught them up by car
With hotel booked
And cake stops too
The budding cyclists cycled on
But where to no-one knew
The organiser denied the fact
That she’s not sure where we were
The budding cyclists cycled on
And blamed it all on her
100 miles were ridden
In 2 eventful days
We’ve eaten, drank and laughed a lot
Then gone our separate ways!!
Anon