First leisure ride and JT rides audax

The inaugural Velo Club Baracchi Saturday leisure ride attracted three guest riders despite the cold weather and was counted a success.

Four club riders accompanied them on a ride from Tandem-Steve’s Cycles in the High Street to Blundeston, Lound, Ashby and Somerleyton.

Warmer weather is expected to increase the interest in this weekly event.  Details are on the VC Baracchi and Tandem-Steve’s Cycles Facebook pages.

For the time being the rides are for adults but when arrangements are in place the club will invite under-18s to take part.

John Thompson of VCB rode the Knights Templar Compasses 105.5km Audax from the Witham Wetherspoons on Saturday, with controls at Purleigh, Margaretting, Hartford End, Fuller Street, Coggeshall and Gt Totham on the return to Witham.

Commenting on the reason for the mysterious name of the event, Thompson said, “The route includes the four pubs in that part of Essex known either as “The Compasses” or “Square and Compasses” that are in a geometric straight line.  Along with some barns and churches there is a geometric link with theories as to the reason for it.”

He completed in 6hours and 45 minutes, describing the route as hilly and the wind as very strong.

There were two fairly steep hills and a number of long drags.  Though the headwind predominated, Thompson enjoyed the tailwind over the last eleven miles from Coggeshall.

Sunday’s club run was all but cancelled as there was ice on the untreated roads but Alex He and Mike Wood both ventured out and covered about 50 miles, meeting up with Paul Clarke and John Cooper.  All of them stopped for refreshments at the Middleton shop and café.