My oh my, but I'm behind with the records of our rides. If I wasn't so transparently honest, I'd say that the reason was that I was beavering away with The Wheeler. However, since I am incapable of deception, I'm completely stumped for an excuse. So I'll get on with it.
Good weather brought 14 riders to Bury st Edmund's deserted Cornhill on the 5th of July. Two graduates from the Cappuccino Ride, Simon Elsworth (now a member) and his chum Andrew, 'Twickenham Man' (occasional visitor with parents in Bury) Adi, Barry, Mark Harris, Ron Fisher, Paul Rooke, David Leaver, Julian'n'Nathan, Tricia and SJH. Without effort I can think of six other regulars not present, so we have the potential for a twenty-rider turn out.

It was suggested that we go to Anglesey Abbey for tea. Julian's eloquent objection on grounds of stale scones and high prices was over ruled. Mark took charge of the route when I suggested that we should go out the lumpy way and return with the tailwind across the flatlands. This went extremely well, Mark's knowledge of the area west of Bury proving to be exhaustive. And exhausting. 

Mark also featured in one of our encounters with other road users. Two horses on the right hand side of a lane had pulled over for a couple of cars. Then we turned up - all bright colours and shouted warnings. The horse with a man on board (I believe 'up' may be the proper term), feeling that his rider was a bit worried, started to swing out into the road with his rear (business) end and displayed lots of white of eye. Rider wrestled with horse, horse lost more confidence in competence of rider, we all slowed right down and edge past. Mark then made a number of helpful suggestions to the rider, suggesting a few points that he might like to address before taking the nag out again on the public road. This was not received with particular good grace, the rider's reply containing a number of short words, mainly concerned with procreation and travel. And, possibly, legitimacy - but the wind was affecting my hearing aid, so I couldn't swear to that.

Simon and Andrew seemed to be able to keep up pretty comfortably, and will be welcomed on their next outing. Tea at Anglesey Abbey was a success (I avoided the scones) and the prices were not excessive. Julian, Nathan, Twickenham Man and David Leaver turned for home before the tea stop, and so missed the two-for-one cake deal. A brisk return became a gallop as we neared Risby, the rise towards Poor Man's Heath splitting the field as Ron Fisher put the hammer down, maintaining the pace after the left turn towards the water tower and the Risby Sign. Barry stuck to Ron's wheel like glue to a blanket (there is another simile involving blanket adhesion, if only I could remember it) and came through in a well-timed sprint to take the Prime. 

My notes say that I covered 74 miles - but I don't remember the average. Bury-based riders would be on 59 or so and Mark (I guess) well over 80. SJH

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