Today's Ride

[mk one]

... a couple more from the ride today.

A stop by the upper pond with a rope swing. A good use for an old stem/bar combo

Then another rest out of the sun in an old mill, were the old bikes dont get put to other uses

 

[mk one]

Like a true englishman, out again today in the midday sun remembered my camera this time also, but lots of the best sections were down hill or really flowing so made the most of the speed breeze instead of stoping for sweaty pics

Nice ride today, lots of the woods trails are overgrown now though and really warm, its like a jungle in there did find another rope swing though

 

[26er]

That's awesome Pat. Hope u r back in the saddle soon.

 

[mk one]

A quick ride today as really busy, also didnt really feel up for it but feel a bit better after

short version of one of my routes but nearly made it up a rocky climb i usually walk

 

[ajm]

A quick ride today as really busy, also didnt really feel up for it but feel a bit better after

Nice pics... funnily enough your earlier photos inspired me to get out today myself - didn't stop at all to take pics but it was really good to be out on the bike again, even if I did nearly melt coming home! Nothing beats the scents of elderflower, honeysuckle and roses from the hedges at this time of year...

 

[The History Man]

Beautiful. Itching to go now.

 

[fiendish feet]

This is my account of yesterdays ride.
My plan was to follow the river Chelmer/Black water navigation from
Chelmsford In Essex to Where it joins the North Sea at Bradwell on sea, Essex. my plan was to use bridleways byways ,few footpath where needed.
I left the night before and cycled halfway down the Chelmer ,
To set up camp under clear skies for Early start.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28T6tf6][img...kr.com/846/43241398421_56e569c03b_b.jpg[/img]Bike packing river Black Water Essex by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/268afq9][img...r.com/1781/41431496360_c6d30ebdb7_b.jpg[/img]Trangia mini meth burner by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
Beautiful riding at 5am in a t-shirt with just the wildlife with not a soul in sight.
[url Chelmer/blackwater Navigation, Essex uk by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28NLfq1][img...r.com/1790/43192382152_db7eb2a49b_b.jpg[/img]Maldon Essex by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
Soon the sun was out and very warm again , i was being attacked by swarms of storm flies , but head down arse up keep going .
[url=https://flic.kr/p/268bjjj][img...r.com/1761/41431704590_daf782257c_b.jpg[/img]Saltwater trail ,Essex by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]

 

[fiendish feet]

Some more Photos from my ride
[url Wild Essex bike pack 014 by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/27vjbfn][img...r.com/1807/42338558025_46e0fc23b2_b.jpg[/img]Wild Essex bike pack 008 by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
[url st Lawrence bay Essex Uk by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr][/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/268hmFG][img...kr.com/844/41432883230_8795ab7165_b.jpg[/img]Saltcoast Trail Essex by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28TcFR6][img...r.com/1806/43242611491_b4e3affb31_b.jpg[/img]Wild Essex bike pack 030 by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/27vk3UZ][img...r.com/1826/42338728465_2af4716bab_b.jpg[/img]Bradwell on sea Marina by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]
[url Bradwell cockle spits by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr][/url]
So i made it to the North Sea ,And the Bradwell cockle spits ,and the oldest church in England St peters on the Wall
My plan was to follow the coast south along the Dengie marshes sea defenses but my left foot Had some Pain and Swelling .
And thought best to bail out , Nice days ride in unfamiliar Area of Essex that feels very remote with miles of salt marsh
[url=https://flic.kr/p/268iao9][img...r.com/1790/41433040320_853c8c8b8d_b.jpg[/img]Dengie Marshes Essex by Wholly Spokes, on Flickr[/url]

 

[The History Man]

Looks wonderful. How do you find all the bike packing bags? They look cumbersome but never used them so interested how it rides.

 

[mk one]

Nice, grew up in Essex, by the sea for a lot of it, wish i was by the sea today as temps felt really high.

Just a quick ride around Two Dales, with a rocky climb up through the woods, past some old mills/houses and lakes, then up and back along the top road into Matlock. The road has views all the way along and is slightly downhill so a really pleasant stretch