Overnight G-Line London to Southend overnight

Friday night in Saturday morning marked the second night ride to the coast of the season. This adventure was to the classic location Southend-on-Sea. After much deliberation, I decided to take my G-Line for its second nocturnal outing and on several levels I am glad that I did. 

The start point was the usual not a million miles away from the London Eye. As my cycle from north London was pretty plain sailing, I arrived with time to spare. Not wanting to just hang around, I took a few photos on Roupell Street. As it was really quite there and the surrounding area, it enhanced the almost travelling back in time aspect. 

At the start point lots of the regulars started appearing along with a few new faces. Geoff arrived in good time - again on big wheels - but this time there were two other Brompton riders. After our roll call and safety briefing by our ride leader and gentleman that is Greg, we were off into a rather mild night. 

Our pace was purposeful and I cannot be certain but the route seemed to be a little old school and very similar to days of Simon Legg (the original founder of these rides). I liked it. As always, we rode for a few miles and stopped to regroup at various points along the way. All sorts of bicycles were out in force and I think that all the main groups were accounted for. Some had the power of electric and there were times on some of the longer I longed for the joys of my Brompton Electric. 

After rough;y 25 miles in we reached sanctuary at Doddinghurst Scouts. There we found lots of sandwiches and some brilliant oaty biscuits that I could have quite happily eaten every last one of. Again, staying awake was an issue and conversation merely a series of mumbled words.  The welcome was warm and friendly and after about an hour we bid our farewells and headed out into the early, pre-dawn morning.  

As soon as I stepped outside I felt the cold. Fingerless gloves were replaced by those allowing for a full finger covering. A gillet was put over my jacket and a snood (can there be a more useful item of clothing) was put on. For the first few miles after we set off I felt cold but gradually started to feel okay again. 

We had some beautiful scenes ahead of us. The sky was clear, the sun started to rise and a chorus of birdsong guided our way forward. 

All the magical elements you try to explain to people when you tell them what you did at the weekend and why, played out before us. It was wonderful. 

I found my G-Line to be invaluable on the rougher road surfaces. Nothing really bothered it. It just silently glided over it. The G in G-Line is usually taken as meaning gravel, but I think a case could be argued for glide. Again, it confirmed why I bought this particular Brompton. 

Another thing about the G-Line is that I do seem to be able to ascend hills a little easier than on one of my 6x speed Brompton bikes with a 44T chainring. It just seems a little easier. 

We passed the infamous ford and a few participants cycled through it. I never have and always taken the little path that runs parallel to it. Believe me, I have seen this a great deal deeper and the water really can sit a great deal higher!

The next few miles we took in some lovely Essex countryside and as our ride leader didn't want us to arrive too early (the breakfast stop was scheduled for 08:00) photo opportunities were actively encouraged.

 

We stopped at Stock Windmill, always a great sight to see. Built in the early 1800s and a Grade II listed building, its sails no longer turn but it is a lovely building and always enhanced in the early sunrise lighting. Anyway, surely spotting a windmill on a ride is worth bonus points?!

At Hanningfield Reservoir, pretty much everyone stopped to take some photos and rightly so. Being almost 1000 acres in size it is just outside the top ten reservoirs in England. With that orange sky, stunning photos were almost guaranteed. 

Not far from this we were all taking photos again, this time at Battlebridge which spans the River Crouch. From there, we cycled with clear, blue skies and with the sun trying to make its presence felt. 

At the end of night rides I am the sort of person who likes to get home and rarely do I stay for breakfast. With local knowledge from Geoff, Leigh-on-Sea station was simply at the end of a road down a hill. Saying my goodbyes to Geoff I headed down said hill and arrived at the station. 

My train bound for Fenchurch Street was just pulling in as I stepped onto the platform and I boarded it. I was back in london by 08:45 and after about half an hour of gentle cycling, back home. 

At home, I had a bite to eat, a shower and retired to my bed for a few hours of blissful sleep with an entourage of Maine Coon cats to keep me company - despite the fact they had just slept all night. 

Many thanks to the ride organisers, Greg for leading and to Geoff for his company. As always, I look forward to the next nocturnal adventure, which I hope to be sooner rather than later. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!