We spend a night in Hadleigh, Essex, staying with friends of our friend Fudge. We’ve met Kevin and Sally before – once in Australia, and again last year when we celebrated Fudge’s 50th with a ride up Alpe D’Huez in France.

Today we head out with Kevin and Fudge, to explore some of Kevin’s favourite cycle routes.

Last year when we rode up Alpe D’Huez, it was a group of eight, with four of us (Kevin, Fudge, Neil and I) on traditional bikes, and another four on eBikes. Today is a reunion of the Alpe D’Huez leg-power crew. We enjoy sunshine, lunch at The Shepherd and Dog, torrential rain and ice cream on our near 60km loop. It is great to ride the routes we’ve seen Kevin post on Strava (even Belton Way in the rain) and to enjoy a ride without heavy panniers. Shame about the rain, but that’s England for you.

Stats for the day

• Distance travelled: 58.9km
• Climb: 442m
• Moving time: 2:56:07
• Average speed: 20.1km/h
• Average temperature: 18C
• See our ride on Strava.