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Main topic of conversation as we gathered at Skyliner Sports Centre was how wet would we get? The various weather forecasts which had been consulted clearly showed rain ranging from a few millimetres to torrential downpours and flash floods! It certainly was warm and humid. With many of the Group on Holiday the turnout was modest with just 4 of us setting off. Frank & Nick riding the “Nolan Sisters” and Mike & John riding with some assistance from the “Bosch Brothers”.

First part of the route , devised and lead by Frank took us south under the A14 and straight out into the countryside along the familiar quiet lanes skirting around Rushbrooke, Little Welnetham & Stanningfield. After Shimpling we headed west past Giffords Hall Vineyard before taking the road through Stanstead and down to Long Melford to the Cherry Lane Garden Centre for our Coffee stop. We were joined by Neil who had ridden up from Colchester to met us. Still dry and pleasant we enjoyed the break sat outside.

After Coffee, south past Melford Hall before turning East ( Neil headed south back to Colchester) and taking quiet and undulating roads to Lavenham. Frank’s route avoided the main drag through Lavenham and took us past some very quaint timber framed Houses and then onwards to Brettenham, Harleston, Onehouse and then a wiggle around the outskirts of the ever expanding Stowmarket to Narey’s Garden Centre for our Lunch stop ~ still no rain. Good Lunch at Narey’s was enjoyed sat outside. ( Narey’s is quite tricky to get to on a bike but worth it as a reliable lunch stop for hungry cyclists)

The return route to Bury was firstly along the cycle way parallel with the A14 then via Haughley New Street. We finally had some rain near Elmswell and stopped to put jackets on – soon regretting this as it didn’t really amount to anything. Frank was excused leadership duties at Thurston Planche & allowed to head home to Stowmarket (!) to hopefully avoid the heavy rain that now looked inevitable. The rest of us managed to find our way back ending the ride having done 45 miles.

Thanks to Frank for leading (most) of the ride and the interesting route.

A cool start for the end of August for our Tuesday ride departing Skyliner Way at 09:30.

Nick (Lead), Martin, Janice, Dewi, John, Mike & Stella headed under the A14 and  south east towards Rougham then up to Hesset and Beyton before crossing back over the A14 and on via Pakenham to Ixworth. A fairly swift 14 miles to get to the Coffee stop  at the Courtyard Café which is part of the Pykkerell Inn.  We were joined by Barry and Paul who had made their separate ways to the Café. Good selection of cakes & Pastries and I do have to mention the Waffles with Ice Cream. Our newest recruit: John, surprised us all by tucking into a portion of them at 10:53 & leaving a very clean plate.

With the benefit of a light tail wind the 16 miles to Eye seemed to take no time at all as we routed there via Walsham Le Willows, past Thornham Walks then crossing over the A140 & into Eye.

Lunch was at the busy Caféye in the centre of Town. Good food and speedy service, all fuelled up for the 20 mile return leg.

Inevitably the light tail wind on the way out was a head wind on the return but good progress was made with Mike using up some of his charge taking the front on some of the more exposed sections ( thanks Mike!).

An enjoyable ride with a total of 50 miles for the full ride.

Good turnout of 9: Nick (Lead), John, Dewi, Frank, George, Bob, Viv, Stella & Mike started the ride from Skyliner on what would be a rather windy, grey, but dry ride. It was great to have Mike join us for the first time since February and see him on good form again. The first part of the ride went down into Bury St. Edmunds , around the Abbey and out of Town on NCN 51 past one of the NCN Millenium Posts. Viv making a quick stop to take a picture for her collection of snaps of the Posts. We were soon back out into the country and along the rolling route via Barrow to Gazeley & then to the edge of Kentford. Coffee stop at the Breadline Cafe which serves up decent coffee and a range of snacks. The Sausage Rolls were a hit with the carnivores of the Group ~ so large that Frank had to take half with him ( didn’t seem to slow him down going up the hills.). Mike headed back home leaving 8 of us to ride the undulating route back to Gazeley then to Dalham, Ousden, Meeting Green, Hawkedon arriving at The Crown in Hartest.

Good lunch was had at The Crown sat outside in the huge Garden. Return to Bury was via Hawstead and then along the Cocks Green Lane Bridleway to Water Lane before our usual route back to Skyliner.

We said our Goodbyes to Bob who would be continuing on his travels around the UK before retuning back to Tasmania – we hope to see you again next year ~ safe travels!

45 miles with 678 m climbing.