Essex 100

Did you realise that there were two 5:45s on a Sunday? Well there were for NEV crew who were riding the Essex 100 on Sunday 6th September from Writtle Agricultural College around the amazing countryside of Essex.

The weather was a balmy 18C in the car on the way over.

Everyone managed to turn up on time with one notable exception who was fashionably a few minutes late. To save my blushes I won’t admit to it though! Nearly everyone arrived in their NEV kit which looked pretty fab … the only dissenter was a seamstress no less, in the fashion industry and desperate to stand out 🙄!

We set of to Chelmsford and the team managed to stay together for the first stage with a very early stop 16 miles in at Stisted. About the same time the group could hear the full hum of chatter which was filling the air in Writtle as the 70 milers arrived in the form of the NEV ladies … I am not sure any of them stopped to take a breath the whole way round the route. It has to be said some were definitely louder than others (no name Karen 😉).

Meanwhile all was good for the 100 milers until they came to the first steep incline coming out of Wethersfield when the FLATB took a more sedate pace in proceedings. As the morning progressed the sun began to shine … as they say ‘the 🌞 shines on the righteous’.

The food stops were serviced by a wonderful group of volunteers, all for a good cause ‘Action Research’. Spirits remained high and both NEV groups were on the road again.

The last stop was in Gt Dunmow, and the 100 milers knew they were nearby about 10 miles out as they chatter of the NEV ladies could be heard floating in the Essex Countryside air. Both groups converged and we stopped to have a natter, some fluids and snacks as well as a large group photo opportunity.

Due to the friendliness of the NEV group a couple of additional single riders had joined on and they were made to feel most welcome.

The 70 milers set off on the home stretch a little earlier than the 100s, but after a short while there was a passing on the road … it was clear the ladies hadn’t stopped the chatter to take breath and all were in good spirits.

The 100 mile team arrived at the finish to find out frustratingly that the course had come up two miles short. So to bump up the mile and also to support the ladies they went back out on the course so that both NEV groups could finish as a team and one last team photo.

A great effort by all, and awesome sun and brilliant company! NEV were a big part of the day! At the end it is rumoured that one or two of the NEV riders may have waited behind to get a well earned massage!