Today’s ride turned out to be a real highlight of the week. It started off colder than I had anticipated—definitely a day I should’ve taken the gilet! Although it warmed slightly about halfway through, it never quite reached the temperatures the forecast had promised.
Despite the chill, I was really pleased with the route I’d designed. It was just over 65 miles and flowed through five distinct sections that each brought something different to the ride. I started with the familiar stretch out to Wickford, a steady and reliable warm-up route with just enough rolling terrain to get the legs moving and then up Brock Hill.
From there, I turned into the quiet lanes of West Hanningfield, one of my favourite patches—peaceful lanes that feel a world away from the busier roads. It’s always a joy to ride through here, especially early in the day when the traffic is minimal and the scenery is all yours.
Next up was Bicknacre, a small village surrounded by tree-lined lanes and open farmland. It’s not a long section, but it adds a sense of space and calm, and breaks the ride up nicely before heading back.
I looped back through West Hanningfield again and pressed on to Battlesbridge, where things start to feel more lively. It’s a quirky riverside spot with antiques shops and cafes—tempting for a stop, but I kept rolling.
Finally, I finished with the Canewdon loop, which always delivers a punchy end to the ride.
The route stayed mostly on quiet country lanes—perfect for getting into a rhythm and soaking up the peaceful surroundings. My legs felt strong, my fitness felt solid, and I was genuinely happy with my time. I even caught myself singing through the last 10 miles, which says everything about how good I felt by the end.