A moving cast for us this time. Four set off at 9am from Allenburys to be joined by Barry at the top of the climb towards Fanhams. He claimed this was due to a mechanical problem necessitating a change of bikes. The less charitable amongst us felt the real explanation might be oversleeping or an unwillingness to descend from the lofty heights of his house only to have to climb back up again.

There were five then to follow a wobbly route through Sawbridgeworth, Hatfield Broad Oak, White Roding (Rothing, Roothing?) and Branston to the Paradise Café in Dunmow. We managed to avoid falling into the Slough of Despond on our way to Paradise – perhaps it had dried up in the drought – and successfully negotiated Slough Road en route to High Easter without incident.

Having reached Paradise, Paul left us to pursue a high-speed route home in time for a family lunch. He was soon replaced by Bruno who had arrived commendably early for a 9:30am start, albeit 15 minutes late for the advertised departure.

So, five again for the ride back. A more straightforward route this time through Elenham and Stansted Mountfitchet, though in order to avoid a repeat of last week’s route, we took the more lumpy way though Farnham to Albury, There was a final kicker with a right turn in Hadham Ford up Chapel Lane then past Standon Ford (for novelty value).

No punctures but the dropped chain disease that afflicted Ian last week has now spread to Barry and Brian.