London to Woodbridge
It’s fun dodging the rain… especially over the course of 90 miles or so! Barely a drop from above on our journey, despite the evidence of deluges before our arrival at various stages. And even a hint of warmth in the air around Ipswich.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Friday. Loading up and rolling out in minibuses and with trailers. Nervous anticipation. A fine curry at the Horseshoe in Clerkenwell (THANK YOU, Rob Madigan, landlord and friend of the ride, for making us so welcome and feeding us so deliciously). Speeches and exhortations. Back to the Bridge School (THANK YOU, Headteacher Penny Barratt for your inspiring words, for giving us a reason to succeed, and for your overnight hospitality). A difficult night’s sleep on the school floors – but it encourages the early rise! And then breakfast and a 7am departure, almost to the chimes of Big Ben.
Traffic – more each year – and a cool breeze kept us alert; luck kept us puncture free and so the first stop at Wells Park School field (THANK YOU, Wells Park, once again) came early. Chocolate, bananas, energy drinks. Then road, road, road (and, yes, a few punctures!) till lunch after 53 miles at Colne Engaine. And what a lunch, hosted by Mrs Spray, Mrs Streat and Rhiannon Humphreys – delicious hot drinks, all you could wish to eat to help towards the 8000+ calories the day would sap from us, and welcoming smiles. Bliss.
The afternoon is hard, but shorter – under forty miles of undulations (some, frankly, quite abrupt!) – but everyone finished with a big smile on their face and a drink soon in their hands (soft of course!), and by 6pm it was hot baths and deep sofas…
27 riders: six of them pupils (well, well done Owen Butcher, Adam Colbert (who sprinted here, there and everywhere helping people find their way and take the right turnings), George Cory, Will Pilkington, David Spray and Oliver Wroe); staff Mr Garvie, Miss George, Mr Patten, Dr Rickard and me; three OWs Ally, Molly and Cameron; parents Steve, Ed, Sharon, Jenny, Sarah, Amanda, Gary, Paul and Toby; Bridge School parents John and John; and friends John and David. And on the support side Mr and Mrs Hillman, Mr Jackson, Mr Spray, Mr Turner and the lunchtime team.
Brilliant! Support us now if you haven’t already!
https://www.justgiving.com/teams/SpinForTheBridge16 has some of us, so find a name you know!
