Hi, folks.  Thanks again for backing me.  If you wish to see how my day went, please read on ......

36^th Sponsored Ride & Stride

8.5 hours.   34 cycling miles, 1.5 walking miles.   41 churches.

The morning weather looked ideal for cycling - cool but bright. I left home at 0905 and rode the mile or so to St Francis church, which I support and to which half my sponsorship money will go; signed-on at 0915 and walked to the RC church, almost next door, before setting off via the Methodist church around the corner and the long downhill ride into Ipswich town.  Easy!

The weather forecast showed that it should cloud over with some rain in the afternoon, and a westerly wind. I’d decided to start as early as possible in Ipswich and head windward towards Felixstowe, expecting to call it a day when the weather, or my energy, deteriorated.

So, I cycled between the churches on the west side of town including:  a traditional church, collecting for a replacement roof owing to lead thieves; a Methodist church; and the unique Unitarian Meeting place with original box pews and galleries.  Then two along the
waterfront, now serving the community as a music & arts venue and a wellbeing centre.  Onward to another, then to the close-by Catholic Church where they offered strawberries (yummy!) for us participants as well as the usual free biscuits and drinks. 

I left my bike here, at St Pancras church, to walk in a 1.5 mile loop through the busy town centre and to a couple to the north.  Again, two of these ancient church buildings are redundant, one now being the town’s information centre, the other a café run by people with disabilities. There’s always a friendly welcome at the Quakers Meeting House where I had a chat, and bikkie, then moved on to another traditional place of worship, picking up my bike on the way. 

Cutting through the grounds of the University of Suffolk Campus led to St Clement's Congregational Church that will sadly close this month, unsustainable having only 5 elderly regular attendees. 
Across the road, I found no-one in attendance at the church which had recently suffered from mindless external vandalism.

Moving out towards the east, my route took me through Holywells & Landseer Parks to the thriving, fairly modern, All Hallows in a large residential estate; then to St James RC across the road.  Here I was signed in by the vicar as he had no volunteers to do the job, but would rather have been participating on his racing bike!  It’s already 12 noon but I’m only the second to sign-in at these suburban churches!

The weather’s still settled, so time to leave Ipswich and head for the countryside, on the way to Felixstowe.  I’m a bit wary about cycling through narrow country lanes with fast moving traffic, but with luminous jacket, cycle helmet and rear view mirror - and being on a mission, I felt confident in covering the 4 miles in pleasant surroundings. As it was, I only encountered 6 vehicles in all that time. 

After being signed-in at Nacton, I soon found myself at a dead end.  A bridleway was signed in the right general direction, so I tried it and found it to be a pleasant half mile off-road route through the woods, emerging onto my original route.  Next, the church in Levington. There were several participants ‘striding’ around this area and some arrived here whilst I was enjoying a home-made cake – mmm!  Next door, several people were enjoying lunch outside the ‘Ship Inn’.  It’s 1.20pm. 
Do I stop for grub?  Hmmm - press on to the Trimley’s, close to Felixstowe, and see what time I have there.  I’ve had plenty of sustenance with the intake of bikkies, etc offered on the way.

1.49pm:  arrived in Trimley St Martin, visiting three very different church buildings, one, a very small free church, in railway-like brickwork.  I’m back in urban streets now.  Further along the road at Walton, the original population centre before Felixstowe was developed, I visited three more, close together, including a Baptist and a Methodist church.  Then 1.5 miles to a newish church in the middle of Grange Farm estate on the west side of Felixstowe (had a Kit-Kat) and another 2.5 mls before reaching the River of Life church near the docks. Spent a few minutes chatting here and enjoying their fig rolls! 

Going around on this event, it’s a joy to meet so many pleasant and helpful recorders who sign us in, give light refreshments, encouragement, and often chat about their church or experiences in doing the Ride & Stride when they were younger and fitter!  Unsung heroes of this event. Thanks to them all. 

From here it’s not far to the town centre with the main cluster of churches and a Convent that was included. At last, a short heavy shower.  This kept me sheltering at the Salvation Army hall for a while.  Pressing on and visiting two more, it was now 4.30 - half an hour to go before the event closed.  Only a little further to the 700 year old church in the Old Felixstowe area. 

Leaving there I had just 10 minutes to reach the last place on my agenda, the small hall-like building, St Nicholas, at Felixstowe Ferry, [see image above] nearly 2 miles away via roads, the deserted seaside prom and gravel coastal footpath.  Now intermittent very light rain was falling.  Failure!  I arrived too late, but the lady there was still packing up and kindly signed me in, albeit at 5.05.

Satisfied at what I had achieved, I tried to get to Felixstowe station for the hourly train back to Ipswich, against the wind and still under rain clouds, but just missed it.  Kathy came to the rescue bringing the car to get me and the bike home for a sit down and hot
meal after a really interesting and rewarding day.

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THE CAUSE and gave me the inspiration to ‘press on regardless’.  Should you have wished to make a donation but missed out, it’s not too late. Anything received on JustGiving, or direct to myself by mid-October will be gratefully received.

[Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.  Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity.  Alternatively, a cheque may be sent to Keith, made out to Suffolk Historic Churches Trust]