The sunny and calm weather made for near perfect conditions for this ride.
Eight of us met at Leytonstone station as usual to take tube to Epping for the start. We followed the B181 out of the town and through the countryside to Epping Upland, Epping Green and Roydon. Over the river Stort and the level crossing and deeper into the Hertfordshire countryside, through the pretty villages of Hunsdon and Wilford to Much Hadam. We turned east and passed a field full of sheep with their newly born lambs, cross a ford on the river Ash and climbed the hill towards Perry Green. The Henry Moore studios and gardens are not open until 3 April, although some of his iconic statues can be seen from the road.
We rode through Green Tye and saw a pillbox that used to guard a long forgotten WW2 airfield. We passed Thorley woods where the notorious murderer Harry Roberts lived while hiding from the police. We took the back route through Sawbridgeworth and crossed the locks and railway line and we were back in Essex. The Fox at Matching Tye was our lunch stop, there were two other cycling clubs there, including a big group from Redbridge. I wonder if any had attended the Redbridge LCC meeting?
The last leg inevitably included the Toot Hill rollercoaster before climbing back up to the station to catch the train home. Well done to all participants, especially those that had not done such a long distance (38 miles) before.