Led by John Beckinsale who nearly didn’t make it to the start line when the battery lead broke off on his Bonneville. Fifteen gathered at Maldon in a comfortable 24 degrees. Two broke for home at the Marks Tey coffee stop. We needed to put our registration numbers in the car park machine. These pesky things are popping up everywhere, proving to be as popular as Rolf Harris at a childrens party. Modern times eh ! A 100 mile ride on a BSA Bantam ? Yes Julian Strauss did it and laid down a sweet trail of two stroke oil, quite intoxicating, make a good after shave! Oldest bike was Jim Leggs Jampot Matchless 350 making the point of ‘ that’s all you need on a club run ‘ rather like Phillip Reynolds Triumph 21.

Onwards to Boxford, White Hart Inn where the landlord rides his Honda trailie to work, so motorcyclists like us are made welcome of course and the locals are willing to chat.

Lunch in the autumn sun, no, but it feels like autumn. Boxford really is a quaint village, I might suggest you take your loved one there, your wife would like it too. It is worth a visit. If it weren’t for the cars you would expect a horse and cart to go past any time.

A fabulous route to get there darling, rural Suffolk at its best. Must use it again. Road closures came and went, one causing a U turn and another a diversion but we got to our next stop, hey ice cream ! It was the Blue Egg, Bardfield. Unfortunately our parking place around the back had been turned into a children’s play ground now complete with yes, children. Young mums and tots looked agog as thirteen Hells Granddads pull up. One two year old was worried that Mick Grice would steal his lolly and directed Mick to the counter where he could buy his own and then we all had one.

Riders from Southend / Hadleigh/ Canvey had some distance to get home and may have covered 140 miles ( and one on a Bantam) by that time. Some reported to be knackered on reaching base. Having fun can be tiring.

Thanks to John who had a haircut specially for the occasion and to Dave ‘ Bradders’ Bradley who back marked with his daffodil yellow Suzuki followed by clouds of pollen beetles.

Traffic free roads, some pot holes filled, a variety of bikes and an ice cream all in good company. Whooppee!