Sixteen members of our CFF group ventured to Suffolk for our four day Autumn Break centred around Sudbury. The first ride of the week was a short 10 mile ride to the south around the village of Bures, which straddles the border between Suffolk and Essex, separated by the River Stour. The Suffolk part being Bures St Mary and Bures Hamlet on the Essex side. The ride took us through quiet lanes and wonderful countryside.
Unfortunately time constraints meant we missed out on visiting the 13th Century, St Stephens Chapel and view of the Bures Dragon which is etched in a field on the other side of the valley. In the evening we travelled to the village of Henny Street and the Henny Swan pub for a splendid meal.
The second day saw our gallant riders gather, to the north, in the picturesque Medieval village of Lavenham as the drizzle started. We cyclists travelled from there through quiet lanes to the village of Rattlesden as the drizzle turned into rain. A welcome respite was had in the Five Bells pub where sandwiches and sausage rolls were consumed whilst the damp riders dried off. We resumed our return journey, better for stopping, and the rain abated for a while before the rain became heavier on our way back to Lavenham. In spite of the inclement weather a lovely twenty mile ride was enjoyed by all. We relished our evening meal at Alaz Turkish Restaurant in Sudbury.
On the third day a welcome reappearance of the sunshine made a pleasureable start to the ride, starting between Sudbury and Long Melford and heading westward along rather busier lanes than yesterday, but through lovely countryside to another picturesque market town of Clare.
Here we stopped at the preserved station buildings where refreshments were savoured at the Platform One Cafe.
Time was spent looking around the old station and the nearby ruins of Clare Castle built on a motte with scenic views of the town. After our explorations, we journeyed on through the country lanes to the Elm Inn at Castle Hedingham for our lunchtime stop, where there was much amusement about the sign by the bike racks.
Once replete, we headed back through the lanes and wonderful countryside to our starting point for a twenty-six mile ride. The Codfather in Sudbury was the venue for the evening meal and those that came were surprised by the extensive menu and delicious choices.
For the fourth day, in the best of the sunshine, we ventured eastwards to the Anchor Inn’s car park for the start of our visit to “Constable Country”. We wended our way through quiet lanes to the historic village of Dedham, where we had lunch. Some took the opportunity to look around the village whilst others went for a wander on the country path by the River Stour towards Flatford.
Our ride back took us through the pretty villages of Stratford St Mary, Higham, Stoke by Nayland and Nayland, noticing the thatches and the pargetting on the characterful cottages along the way.
The riders had the opportunity for some refreshments at the Anchor Inn besdide the river before returning back to base after a glorious ride of just under nineteen miles. Another great evening meal was enjoyed at the Saracens Head in Newton, finishing off a wonderful Autumn Break.
The success of the holiday was due to the great company of our cycling companions, but as always thanks must go to those members who gave their energies, time to plan and recce the rides so carefully that no one got lost! Thanks to the ride leaders, back markers and everyone else for their encouragement, support and patience!