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BACKGROUND
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I first began to enjoy planning routes and exploring when I was at university in Southampton. I would make the most
of the weekends by scouring the Ordnance Survey map for local bridleways and country roads, and once I was happy with
a route I would go and try it out - it was as simple as that! With the added help of a book entitled "A Mountain Bike Guide
to the Highways and Bridleways of Hampshire and the New Forest" (David Hancock / Bonita Toms, 1995) I spent many happy
hours winding through green lanes and rural villages that were just a stones' throw from the busy town.
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On finishing my degree I returned home to Essex and went full-time at a shop where I'd previously been doing holiday work.
And because I worked Saturdays I often had a day off midweek, which was perfect for getting on the road and seeing what I
could find in the local area. During 1998/1999 I plotted about 7 circular routes and notched up almost 1000 miles on my
Ridgeback, and in 2001 I even planned and rode a journey which took me from my doorstep all the way to Hampshire using
backroads and quiet lanes. However, later that year I moved on to a new job with a Monday to Friday 9-5 week and with only
the weekends to do things I was suddenly riding a lot less. The story has remained the same ever since although I have
completed the London to Brighton ride 3 times and I do occasionally manage to drag my brother out for a short ride or two
every summer.
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All of the routes on my site have been planned and tested by myself, and the first few are some of my earliest ones. At the
time I couldn't drive so you'll notice that they all start and end in Havering. This also means that 99% of the mileage
is on the road because being this close to London there simply aren't many off-road paths and bridleways to use although I
tried my very best to include what I could! Hopefully, in 2006 I will be able to head further afield and find routes that
are more off-road.
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THE ROUTES
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NAME
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DESCRIPTION
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01. Test Run
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A very short beginner's route which takes you out of suburbia
and offers a taster of Essex' rural lanes (Distance: X Miles / Devised: 1998)
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02. Chain Eater
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A good afternoon's ride which circles Weald Country Park and
passes through Coxtie green, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Great Warley and Noak Hill. (Distance: 28 Miles /
Devised: 1999)
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03. Trekker
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A pleasant ride which isn't too hilly and has plenty of opportunity to just cruise along. Heads out to Abridge and returns
via South Weald. (Distance: X Miles / Devised: 1998)
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04. North Star
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A very long all-day ride which heads North as far as Stansted airport before heading back home through lanes and small villages.
(Distance: 69 Miles / Devised: 1998)
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05. Mammoth
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A fairly long circular ride that visits South Weald, Toot Hill, Willingale, Blackmore and Kelvedon Hatch.
(Distance: X Miles / Devised: 1998)
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06. The Quest
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Created with the aim of reaching a goal - in this case the Hanningfield reservoir. Passes through Brentwood, Billericay and Upminster
(Distance: 46 Miles / Devised: 2000)
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07. Terminator
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A shorter distance route which visits Havering-Atte-Bower, Colliers Hatch, Stapleford Tawney, Hainault Forest and Collier Row.
(Distance: 26 Miles / Devised: 1998)
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