Saturday 2 October 2021 - Sandridgebury

For various reasons this ride was scheduled at short notice.  Four riders mustered, with Teresa leading and Rona back-marking.  It is a while since we have ridden north, and we knew that there was a canopy at John The Butcher at The Bothy in Sandridgebury, which was an attractive asset given the weather forecast.

We headed for Jersey Lane, we rode very gently and had very cheerful interactions with the many walkers and their dogs along the way.  We boldly embarked on a loop along Coleman Green Lane, Drovers Lane and back across the edge of Nomansland and Heartwood on the newly installed path.  Rather than tussle with the traffic on the High Street, we rode up to the Heartwood Car Park, hopped over the horse hop and onto the bridleway up to the Scout Hut.  This turned out to be an easier climb than we expected, but we were nonetheless ready for a cuppa.  

We timed our arrival just as a group were moving on, so we got seats under cover.  This was also good timing as the rain got heavier.

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a very delicious bacon roll duly arrived.  It was very pleasant to relax and watch the horses going to and fro. We couldn't chat for too long though, more rain on its way, so off we went, one of our baskets heavier by a marrow, very nice veg for sale.

At the back of STAGS we split, two heading off towards Batchwood, the other two ostensibly returning to Morrisons. But they did a little diversion to Botox Bikes, resulting in a bike booked in for a service and one rider completing the course on shank's pony!

Since everyone finished their ride in a different spot the distance ridden can only be indicative, but it was around ten miles, which is pretty good going for a gentle ride.