I joined Tony, Justin and TomTom on Sunday for a relaxed sort of a ride. Discussed tactics, hoping to avoid stopping anywhere that might be overrun by cyclists. TT proposed the Tea Room at Alder Carr Farm, Needham Mkt., and also undertook to navigate us there.
As always with cyclerides, it's not the 'getting there' but the twists, turns, rises and descents that turn a journey by bike into a proper ride, and TT can be relied upon to provide that ingredient. General Stowmarket direction, then Combs Ford and up to Combs with a left turn towards Battisford then the lane to Barking Tye which involves the ascent of Hascot Hill one of three hills in Suffolk with a 'chevron'. (A single chevron is 14% to 20% . Two chevrons mean a leg-testing 20% and over. But then you already knew that) Hartest, Hascot and that lane that rears up from that other lane which is the one that runs parallel to the A1141, on the south side of the river Brett and parallel with Monks Eleigh. (Does anyone out there know of more?). Mike Bowen has clocked it at 13% with his technology. I wonder who is right? Let's not quibble over 1%. It's that old Tory favourite, the Short Sharp Shock.
Off we go Offton-wards to Somersham where left on the stunning and tiny lane to Baylham. Much easier the way we were going (mostly a descent) Than the more usual route up from the Needham - Blakenham road. With blue skies, and sunshine streaming through the trees (still in leaf) dappling the lane and its central strip of grass with little pools of light, this was close to heaven.
Alder Carr Farm recently renovated the small barn which used to house the food retailers, sausage sellers and cheese mongers during their Farmers' Markets. It is now a warm and
welcoming place with white walls and the natural shades of the exposed timber. Fabulous cakes on display beside large and welcoming scones (plus a glimpse of a waitress's dumplings, or so I am told) warmly greeted us . We settled at a table in the sunshine, and basked in the comfort and calm of it all. TomTom confided that he had discovered a 'new' lane. He described it - just out of Bildeston on the Hadleigh rd you take a left turn and it takes you up towards Naughton - and Was able to say that I had ridden this same lane on Wednesday the 12th, in the opposite direction. I felt a similar surge of elation to that experienced by Peter when took TT along a lane that our very own human satnav had never ridden.
Suddenly, we saw a cyclist - not just any cyclist, this was Magic Mick Madgett of Diss. And he had with him his merry men, including the willowy Windy Millar lad in my photo below. I urge you to double-click on this image, and then again, and check the expression of the beardy guy in the background.
So we ended up in place full of cyclists after all, but as you can see it was convivial. After consuming scones and bakewell tart (the latter still warm from the oven) and dealing with a lack of extra hot water - Tony assuming the role of Peter Heath, the Scourge of the Tearoom - we set
off through sunshine (now I am aware that the sunshine is getting rather a lot of mentions here, but you really should've been there - it really had to be said) going up to Stowupland, and home via Haughley, Wetherden, Upper Town and Norton. At the Norton Dog crossroads, as my three chums debated the next stage of their journey TomTom announced loud and clear
"Well I'm going straight"
As we all absorbed this concept, I offered to inform the media of his life-changing decision. I only mention this to give you a flavour of the cut and thrust that has been an essential ingredient of this Sunday Outing.
Home by one o'clock with a restrained 42 miles on the under the belt. Next week finally I will attempt to keep up with the fast guys on the Espresso. If the weather's good, it'll be best bike just to make sure. Today was on 66" fixed, and an unalloyed joy. The big decision will be what to ride on Wednesday. And you thought that pottering about on the Suffolk lanes was simple.
SJH
As always with cyclerides, it's not the 'getting there' but the twists, turns, rises and descents that turn a journey by bike into a proper ride, and TT can be relied upon to provide that ingredient. General Stowmarket direction, then Combs Ford and up to Combs with a left turn towards Battisford then the lane to Barking Tye which involves the ascent of Hascot Hill one of three hills in Suffolk with a 'chevron'. (A single chevron is 14% to 20% . Two chevrons mean a leg-testing 20% and over. But then you already knew that) Hartest, Hascot and that lane that rears up from that other lane which is the one that runs parallel to the A1141, on the south side of the river Brett and parallel with Monks Eleigh. (Does anyone out there know of more?). Mike Bowen has clocked it at 13% with his technology. I wonder who is right? Let's not quibble over 1%. It's that old Tory favourite, the Short Sharp Shock.
Off we go Offton-wards to Somersham where left on the stunning and tiny lane to Baylham. Much easier the way we were going (mostly a descent) Than the more usual route up from the Needham - Blakenham road. With blue skies, and sunshine streaming through the trees (still in leaf) dappling the lane and its central strip of grass with little pools of light, this was close to heaven.
Alder Carr Farm recently renovated the small barn which used to house the food retailers, sausage sellers and cheese mongers during their Farmers' Markets. It is now a warm and
welcoming place with white walls and the natural shades of the exposed timber. Fabulous cakes on display beside large and welcoming scones (plus a glimpse of a waitress's dumplings, or so I am told) warmly greeted us . We settled at a table in the sunshine, and basked in the comfort and calm of it all. TomTom confided that he had discovered a 'new' lane. He described it - just out of Bildeston on the Hadleigh rd you take a left turn and it takes you up towards Naughton - and Was able to say that I had ridden this same lane on Wednesday the 12th, in the opposite direction. I felt a similar surge of elation to that experienced by Peter when took TT along a lane that our very own human satnav had never ridden.Suddenly, we saw a cyclist - not just any cyclist, this was Magic Mick Madgett of Diss. And he had with him his merry men, including the willowy Windy Millar lad in my photo below. I urge you to double-click on this image, and then again, and check the expression of the beardy guy in the background.
So we ended up in place full of cyclists after all, but as you can see it was convivial. After consuming scones and bakewell tart (the latter still warm from the oven) and dealing with a lack of extra hot water - Tony assuming the role of Peter Heath, the Scourge of the Tearoom - we set
off through sunshine (now I am aware that the sunshine is getting rather a lot of mentions here, but you really should've been there - it really had to be said) going up to Stowupland, and home via Haughley, Wetherden, Upper Town and Norton. At the Norton Dog crossroads, as my three chums debated the next stage of their journey TomTom announced loud and clear"Well I'm going straight"
As we all absorbed this concept, I offered to inform the media of his life-changing decision. I only mention this to give you a flavour of the cut and thrust that has been an essential ingredient of this Sunday Outing.
Home by one o'clock with a restrained 42 miles on the under the belt. Next week finally I will attempt to keep up with the fast guys on the Espresso. If the weather's good, it'll be best bike just to make sure. Today was on 66" fixed, and an unalloyed joy. The big decision will be what to ride on Wednesday. And you thought that pottering about on the Suffolk lanes was simple.
SJH
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