Southend

Tuesday 3rd March Sixteen of us at the Turnpike on a sunny morning although with a northerly breeze. I was nursing a sore ankle after twisting/spraining it on my holiday so wasn’t sure how that would go. I was also unfit/overweight after enjoying all that an all inclusive hotel has to offer. Our elevenses was at the Butts Green Garden Centre, where a number of Lone Rangers/ Easy Riders had already taken quite a few seats. However, as it was sunny, plenty of us enjoyed the sunshine outside. The large number of cyclists seemed to upset the ladies in the cafe. Gail had told them how many to expect from the Turnpike, but we never have any idea how many Lone Rangers/Easy Riders will turn up too. I found my ankle was absolutely fine while I was riding but when I needed to put my foot on the floor and then pushing off it was very painful. Our lunch was at The Viper in Mill Green. No problems getting there. But once again the bar staff got upset with us because a) we had booked for ten, and eleven had lunch, and b) because it was a nice day half of us decided to sit outside and eat our lunch. My lack fitness was starting to affect me and I struggled up the final hill to Rawreth and I could feel my legs start to cramp. Just under 43 miles for me.Trev