Route - Melton to Bawdsey, across Ferry, through Kirton, Newbourne, Woodbridge, Melton
Distance - between 30 and 46 miles depending on where we started.
On yet another glorious day, we met at the Coach and Horses in Melton. Sue and I had cycled from her house, with an idea that we could manage 50 miles. In the end it was a mere 46 round trip but nearly got there! We had a new member, Lucy, who I had come across the week before, and it was lovely to have her in the group. She seemed to smile a lot so hopefully she enjoyed it!
Averill, back from sick leave, decided she wanted to meet at the Ufford Crown so waited for us there. Being as we were at the Coach and Horses, it could have been a long wait. After some frantic phone calls, Av joined the group, which was a good thing as she knew the route, having done it a week previously. Unfortunately she then threw off her chain after about half a mile, due to some malfunctioning gears, so had to leave the ride. She really did go to extreme lengths to not manage the ride today!
We got to Bawdsey and Elfie seemed most alarmed that the Ferry was practically a rowing boat, and it did not have P&O written on the side, or flushing loos as expected. As there were so many of us, it took two trips to get us all across, although the advance party had kindly bought us all coffee. The Ferryman informed us that we were 'very noisy' which I found hard to believe but we all managed the crossing without too much incident.
After a very pleasant stop, involving particularly yummy lemon drizzle cake, we found an unsuspecting passer by to take a photo of us all before we all set off again. Debbie had finally given in to the lure of a road bike and bought herself a very nice bike, so she ensured she got at the front in the photo so she could show it off. She then grabbed the ferryman and demanded a photo with him too. Poor man is probably still getting over meeting us all..... Unfortunately this means she is now quite fast, and might be faster than me which is against the rules. Pippa is on a warning already for being far too fit and fast for the rest of us, even beating me up a hill when I had a (big) head start!
Meanwhile, unbeknown to us, Av had got her bike fixed in record time and was heading fast towards Felixstowe. She found us snaking through Trimley, and it was lovely that she could rejoin the group after what had clearly been a very stressful and eventful morning for her (too long to tell here, but involved bike cleats/ slippy kitchen floor/falling onto her bike and breaking the gears and then going to the wrong pub). I was particularly relieved to see her as she knew the way back as I had 'mislaid' my map.
We continued on our way until Elfie announced she wanted to stop off at her sewing group which was on the route. After checking with her that she was not going to sew a new quilt while we waited, she went in. Shortly afterwards one of her group came out to invite us all in for a drink. Elfie was probably busy sewing by then.....As we had only stopped about 20 minutes previously most of us decided to carry on, but Elfie, Andycap and Av stayed there. For all I know they may still be in there, sewing some amazing quilt creation!
We got back to Woodbridge without any mishap, although I decided that my saddle really did need to be changed, especially after trying Pippa's - oh the relief of a decent saddle with a massive hole in the middle!
We all went our separate ways apart from myself and Sue, who continued on..... and on. After an emergency jelly baby and flapjack stop we finally got back. Phew!
A brilliant ride and great fun - one we must do again if the Ferryman allows us on his boat - and maybe next time Av can make it the whole way round!