Sandy’s Story (2007)

I’ve been a member of Essex Roads since November 2006.

I first got interested in cycling when I got an ankle injury from playing golf and wanted to keep fit. I went on a bike tour of New Zealand and was hooked.

Then one day I was out with my mates on a short Sunday ride and alongside came Mark Stanbury (ERCC were out on their Sunday morning ride) who introduced himself and told me about Essex Roads Club.

I had been thinking about joining a club for a while so it was perfect timing!

My friend Hetta and her husband Dave who I knew from my golfing days also joined around the same time as me.

I only had a mountain bike at the time I joined but went along to the winter turbo sessions and then the summer time trails – all on my mountain bike and always finishing in last place but it didn’t put me off as the people were great and everyone was very encouraging. This year I now have a road bike too so my aim is too improve my times and not to be last place at the time trails every week if possible!!

I primarily joined for the off-road section which is run by Colin Crooks – a great chap who does a great job and we’ve done a lot of excellent rides ranging from Langdon Hills, Epping Forest to all day rides in the South and North Downs. There are quite a few of us now in the off-road section and we have a lot of fun.

I’ve also volunteered to take on a few more novice Sunday morning rides in the summer when I get back from 3 months travelling.