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Past Ride

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Fri Aug 24th 2007 to Mon Aug 27th 2007

Mildenhall Cycle Rally 2007

Leader: Pat Hurt	Start Time: TBC	Start Location:
Description: 17/5/07 - I will be looking to book campsite pitches for Mildenhall on return from the upcoming Bank Hol. Registrations costs will be
Riders: Helen Beane Julian Gough Pat Hurt Sue King Riders = 4 Report: After depressing days of inclement weather, a late afternoon departure on the Fri led to a nice wait in the sunshine on the car park called the M25. After dropping Sue off on an overnight visit to a friend, finallly arrived at the campsite around 8pm, just in time to find Jules finishing his Fish & Chips. The event has obviously become more popular over the years since my last visit, as the main pitch area now also had an overflow field, and solo / lightweight campers were being tucked into odd corners and nooks around the school buildings. We had quite a large free area on the pitch, so got Jules to drag himself round and share the same area as us & Helen, rather than hide around the corner. Saturday I was up and away on the 200K Audax: confused the organiser, who'd obviously thrown away my entry of 7 months previous and kept no record. Chased the fit boys to the first control (50 miles in 2 & 3/4 hours), then stuffed my lungs back in and decided to ride at a more sensible pace. Two bigs loops took the riders East & south through the lumpy bits around Saffron Walden, then around Newmarket & around the Bedford Levels to the Rally. Jules & Helen pottered around, and Sue rode over Sat PM, and we all went foraging into local hostelries, disdaining the BBQ & Jazz night, where old favourites were being murdered by the band. Sunday we all had a pleasant pootle out across the South of the Levels, and then folllowed an NCR along the Great Ouse into Ely. Me, Sue & Helen explored the Cathederal & shopping areas, whilst Jules wandered around, stumbling across a practice session for a classical singing concert, which almost made him miss the return trip. We ambled back across the Levels, making Sue repeat the (not too rough) tracks she'd come across on the Sat. We wandered wound the trade and private stands for a whiles, then in the evening attended the Quiz held at the local Cricket Club, but unlike the last time with Jules, we didn't end up victorious. Saw JB & Audrey, and the Hickmans, who had trained/ridden from home. Moday was to be a short ride, as we wanted to watch the Grass Track finals and scope any remaining bargins, so we broke camp, then headed NE along country lanes, and eventually dived into the depths of the Breckland Forests. After spending some time following tracks in random directions, just to see what would happen, we eventually made it to the visitor centre for tea & cakes, and then an easy following back of part of Sat's Audax course. Sat for a few hours watching various semi-finals and finals of the Grass Track, and then ambled round the closing Trade stands, but couldn't really get interested in buying anything, so wended our way home. Most enjoyable time; it's what the Birthday Rides should be like.
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Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information