A lovely sunny Sunday and what could be better than a ride over to Norfolk to visit friends who have recently swapped a one bedroom flat in the Barbican for four acres of land and an amazing rambling victorian house. I can’t remember the last time I said wow so many times (the photograph does not do it justice).

We talked about Brexit and the madness of the price of property in London and the rest of the country.

Garboldisham had 721 residents at the 2001 census. The ride today was good, particularly on the way back through Fordham avoiding the A14 whose tentacles firmly surround Cambridge. As ever, I am sad when every ride ends. My Hideout Leather jacket is good. I’m getting used to the close fit (I even need to remove my wristwatch for it to fit properly). I feel highly protected but for hot weather I would prefer something with more ventilation.

I’ve been toying for a while with the idea of buying a good quality leather jacket for riding. I’ve had two very cheap jackets in the past which would not have helped much in a crash. I have visited Hideout Leather when I was riding around on the advanced riding course and have always wanted to drop in again. Its one of those places where they offer you a cup of tea as soon as you step inside – which is a nice welcome. Can you imagine that in John Lewis or the Apple Store?

I had no intention of buying anything (honestly) and the small shop was crowded with large motorcyclists (mind you, everybody looks large in motorcycle kit – even me). After casually asking about Knox’s clever layered gear I realised that it was not for me and before I knew it I was trying on one of Hideout’s Touring jackets – size 40. It felt immediately tight but owner Kate assured me that this kind of protective kit actually needs to fit closely. (They describe themselves as ‘experts on fit’ and I wondered about all the other kit I had bought without any of that kind of advice.) The penny dropped so that we both realised my falling-down-sloppy leather trousers would be hopeless in terms of protection. The knee armour is half way down my shins. So with back armour also fitted to the jacket I was fishing for my debit card before I knew it, wondering whether to throw out my collection of old jackets.

Their unimaginatively named ‘Touring’ jacket is short (apparently its long) and sturdy. Needless to say it looks incredibly well made and will – I hate to say it – probably easily see me out.

I’m looking forward to riding in it. I wonder how it copes with rain.

As usual I got lost on the way to the shop, my GPS, like an irritating passenger seemed to tell me to turn just as I was sailing past a couple of junctions so it was a circuitous route down single track roads to get there – but a nice ride on a dry but overcast day.

One of the nearest pieces of coast to Cambridge is due east at Dunwich. And the route over there, by motorcycle is mostly picturesque and twisty – apart from the first 45 miles or so on the A14. From Stowupland the A1120 takes you through lovely villages to the coast road from where it is a short hop over to Dunwich, Southwold, Sizewell, Aldeburgh.

The cafe by Dunwich beach is one of my favourite places to go. It couldn’t be accused of beauty and the cafe is not a hot spot for the middle-classes. But you can buy a pot of tea and a cream scone for £3.75 – or you could have a huge plate of fish and chips if you prefer. Most people do. It is 75 miles each way and four and a half hours on the bike in total.

Belinda by the sea:

Today I took a ride over to the Adventure Bike Shop in Acton – not the Acton in West London where I used to work as a Health Visitor but in Suffolk, about 42 miles away from where I live. I had been meaning to replace my rather smelly and dinged Arai Tour X3. The Nexx XD1 is about £100 cheaper than a new Arai and has some up to date features – some plates to attach camera mounts (to save me glueing them on to the outside of the lid) and a clever sun visor. It feels much lighter than my Arai and coupled with buying a size large (size M wouldn’t even fit over my head) it feels less reassuring when on. I need to move my Bluetooth kit over to it and I will try it on the bike.

Lid

I zoomed over there to catch it before it closed (see Shot from Adze). Being offered a cup of tea the moment you step inside the shop always puts me in the mood to not walk out without supporting them. 

How good that the sun is shining today. It shone on a short and sometimes speedy ride (not quite a three figure speed yet) over to St Neots to a spot by the river where you can have a fish and chip lunch if you want or just a coffee and chocolate bar, park easily and enjoy the soothing site of the sunshine on water.