Mid ESSEX February Ride

[ChrisKH]

You cycling from Benfleet, ChrisKH? (My memory tells me you live down Church Hill but I might be wrong, so apologies if you're from somewhere completely different...) What's your unorthodox bike route? I cycled from Colchester to Thundersley via Rettendon (down the old A130) which was OK except going through Rayleigh, but that's probably further east than your optimal route.

Was thinking of taking the bike via train (as I have a season ticket) from Benfleet to Laindon and going North from there to Billericay. Can't be that far, but never done it before. I could cycle the whole way, but want to arrive relatively fresh.

 

[tdr1nka]

I will be hiding my Cycle Chat 'friedly' shirt under my jacket, but if someone pays me enough I'll take off the jacket (for a bit) and point at meself.

+1

Two CC 'Friedly' shirts!

 

[Auntie Helen]

Was thinking of taking the bike via train (as I have a season ticket) from Benfleet to Laindon and going North from there to Billericay. Can't be that far, but never done it before. I could cycle the whole way, but want to arrive relatively fresh.

Laindon going northwards is quite hilly as you approach Billericay, I think (Great Burstead hill, from my vagueish memory) but ought to be a pleasant enough journey.

 

[ChrisKH]

Laindon going northwards is quite hilly as you approach Billericay, I think (Great Burstead hill, from my vagueish memory) but ought to be a pleasant enough journey.

Hills are what I live for.

 

[Sittingduck]

I attach the elevation diagram from bikeroutetoaster for The Doctor's delectation

What's that vertical "Everest" lookin' thing 2 thirds of the way through?

 

[iLB]

lol, slight detour to the Himalayas i think sduck

 

[Auntie Helen]

What's that vertical "Everest" lookin' thing 2 thirds of the way through?

No scale on the gradient thingie I posted but the highest peak is just under 110 metres so it's not quite Himalayas, more like the Alps. And that vertical bit is only 50 metres... we can get off and walk that if necessary. Or someone can tow me...

 

[tdr1nka]

In two minds as to which bike to ride on Sat?
The roadie or the 'slicked up' MTB hack?

 

[Auntie Helen]

...or the KMX

 

[tdr1nka]

KMX coming soon, I'd need a few weeks building up my legs first!

Gonna try and use it more, it is fun.
Needs better road ratio chain rings and the frame welding first.

 

[Origamist]

I'm taking a fixed for this jaunt in Essex.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Can someone remind me if the route is hilly? I'm loth to get the carbon uberbike filthy so may resort to the singlespeeder. If that's even remotely sensible...

I have never ridden a single speed bike so it's hard for me to advise. However I couldn't ride this route without dropping from the big cog to the middle cog in a few places, but mostly its 'rolling countryside' ..dunno if that helps.

Was thinking of taking the bike via train (as I have a season ticket) from Benfleet to Laindon and going North from there to Billericay. Can't be that far, but never done it before. I could cycle the whole way, but want to arrive relatively fresh.

Chris I'll be riding up Noak hill to Billericay..so if you want to hook up just shout.

Laindon going northwards is quite hilly as you approach Billericay, I think (Great Burstead hill, from my vagueish memory) but ought to be a pleasant enough journey.

Great Burstead does indeed have a hill, and we shall ride DOWN it early on in the ride.

The road surfaces are all good, no problems with skinny tyres etc. There are a couple of hills, but these are not sharp or steep generally. Like I said before as we approach towns/villages we will go up, as wel leave we will go down.


For those looking to park in Lake meadows do this:
Exit station and turn left onto road. Take first right after zebra crossing at Bowling alley /fitness first gym. Take next right (signed lake meadows) Then..GPS pause...you have arrived at your destination

I will likely be on my galaxy. Watch out for a bigtallfatbloke in night vis jacket with hi vis vest and white hat

 

[ianrauk]

+1
another one too

+1

Two CC 'Friedly' shirts!

 

[tdr1nka]

+1
another one too

3 Typos on bikes!

This will truly be a momentous occasion!

 

[4F]

In two minds as to which bike to ride on Sat?
The roadie or the 'slicked up' MTB hack?

I shall be on my roadie however both my bikes are roadies