Thanks everyone for your donations, they are very much appreciated.  

We had a perfect morning for our ride. The sky slowly began to light up after we'd packed the bikes into Jane's trailer in Norwich. We could just about see by the time we left Aylsham at 5am.  There were pools of mist in the fields, and we saw lots of silvery spiders webs covered in dew.  

The sun poked above the horizon just as we paused to munch one of Jane's fabulous flapjacks.  The atmosphere was magnificently still and quiet for the first couple of hours, with no traffic noise at all.  We had no injuries nor any damage to the bikes, and absolutely no animals were harmed.  Well, I might have ridden over a slug once.  It was an accident though.  

A big barn owl flew along in front of us for a while, and there were plenty of rabbits and a hare or two to cheer us on.  We hardly saw any people, until we ran into our patron Michael Chance who was out for a stroll and joined us for breakfast afterwards.  He had seen a badger he said.  

It was a lovely way to see some stunning countryside at a magical time of day.  Some photos we took are on the Norwich Baroque facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.337624202996396.79126.142544872504331

------------------

Inspired by recent British sporting success in France, and by the beautiful countryside closer to home, the Norwich Baroque Bikers are planning our very own Tour de Norfolk. We will be cycling the 26 miles of Marriots Way, from Aylsham to Norwich, at dawn on Saturday 11th August. We are hoping to enjoy the ride, appreciate the sunrise, and to raise some money for Mind, the mental health charity.  

Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. One in 4 people experience mental health problems, and the effects rebound to touch many more lives.

Recent research has shown that giving to charity improves your health:

"Performing acts of kindness has been found to boost your immune system, keep your heart healthy and even slow the ageing process. Giving is also contagious. It elevates people and inspires them. You end up with a ripple effect.” (Dr. David Hamilton, author of Why Kindness is Good for You)

We therefore invite you to improve your own well-being and the well-being of others by donating to this worthwhile cause.