The Flat Section
Two V-CC Suffolk Trudges came to pass with enthusiastic attendance and one Reverend Matthew Hodder suggested we start a section and so this, with the helpful advice of John Pinkerton, came to pass too, taking the shape of a monthly meeting at the Scole Inn. Hodder lasted just two meetings, more friendly folk joined in, and the Trudges grew from there as well as many, many other rides. Sadly some of these members are no longer with us.
Saturday 27th February was the 20th anniversary of that first meeting so secton members took out a cycle, did a little jaunt, and took a photo of anything to do with the number twenty.
John Arundel
Blessed with the wall to wall sunshine of an early Spring day, I sallied forth as recommended, on the DP (1911, size 3, frame no. 6664) to Bushey Park by Hampton Court, both packed out with people queueing for a coffee, cars, and men in lycra.
En route, the machine by the river Mole at Hersham; those soap suds are ‘natural’, I used to monitor river quality there, many moons ago.
Anything 20 - plenty of local roads now with that speed limit including Bushey Park, but not a deer in sight.
Richard Arundel
Jonathan Green
I couldn’t get my bike into shot at this angle, and had to scarper before I got shot by the anti-terrorist branch, but may I chuck this one into the hat? I don’t know if anyone’s noticed, but there’s a lady up there, blatantly in possession of an offensive weapon and drug paraphernalia.
John Holder
Bill Ives
Covid lockdown regulations allow folk to exercise; such exercise can be taken with one other person outdoors and with social distancing. With this in mind Andrew Pattle and I went for a ride to celebrate the Flat Section’s 20th anniversary. He on his delightfully original and wonderfully patinated 1934 James and me on my 1955 Hetchins winter hack.
Wayne Mann
I got up early and out before it got busy as I think lock down has finished here in Ipswich!
Andrew Pattle
On Saturday, a ride out with Bill Ives, 1934 James Sports Ace.
In case the ride out with Bill hadn’t proved possible, I had a Plan B. Reluctant to let a cunning plan go to waste, I executed Plan B on Sunday. This ia a 1937 James Arrow Ace Super Sports at Coddenham.
Ben Stephens
Sorry nothing as old as a Pedersen, but out on the ’38 F H Grubb and ’36 Sun Wasp. Only thing we could tie 20 into was that the beer was £3.20 a bottle!
Terry Stichbury
What a super day to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Suffolk Trudge. A fine sunny, windless day and no excuse for not going. With all communal activities not allowed, I dusted down my winter bike, a 1970s’ Dawes Galaxy, pumped up the tyres, oiled the chain and set off alone for the hills (inclines) of Suffolk. A chilly start but it soon warmed in the morning sun. I hadn’t done much cycling this winter so decided to do the Commons Ride, it being the shorter route of the Trudges and passes close to my home, enabling me to skip the start and join the route at Holton by the level crossing on Sustrans Route 1 heading North. Quiet lanes all the way through Becks Green, Ilketshall St Andrew (Photo 1: Note distant Boeing 777) and passing Mettingham Castle. There were quite a few other cyclists out enjoying the springlike day. Roadside verges with flowering primroses, snowdrops, and skylarks singing overhead added to joy of the ride. Turning South after Mettingham, the route briefly joined the A144 before turning off into the lanes again to a mothballed St Peters Brewery, the pub there closed and waiting to welcome customers when allowed.
My lunch stop was at Rumburgh. Sadly not at the Buck public house, as that was also closed, but stopping at the pre-Norman priory church for a picnic in the churchyard. A peaceful place, with a welcome bench. (Photo 2).
Continuing the ride to Linstead with another halt to view the snowdrops in the churchyard. Always a splendid but brief show. Continuing up a short steep hill and then a left turn down the Cookley Valley to Walpole, a favourite lane of mine, a winding narrow road, mostly downhill following the river, a tributary of The Blyth. Just a trickle of water in the ford there which a few weeks ago would have been impassable after all the rains we had. Then just a few more miles to get back home. 27 miles total door to door and great to be out on two wheels again and feeling fine.
