Norfolk and Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists
Registered Charity Number 1051282. Affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists Ltd.
Seven confused and disappointed riders aggregate at the grocery superstore, their mood matching the unseasonably cool and grey weather. The cause of the dismay is that Stonham Barns is, rather selfishly, hosting a car show on the day of our scheduled visit. A stand-in destination in the same general area ('South') was nevertheless quickly anointed, and spirits improved, along with the weather. This being the second rideout of the month, it is the longer of the two, and as such, a banana makes a great breakfast, being packed full of energy-giving carbohydrates and heart-healthy potassium, all released slowly into the system, aiding both physical stamina and concentration.
Partitioned into two groups, today’s route takes us south through Norfolk, Suffolk, and very briefly into Essex; the vast majority of the riding being on narrow, twisting B-roads— often bumpy, but rarely potholed. No time to appreciate the scenery; the road demands all of our attention.
Down through Methwold and Feltwell; into Suffolk and past the American military enclaves of Lakenheath and Mildenhall; south past Newmarket and Haverhill; further south, skirting, but never quite breaching the Cambridgeshire border; to Haverhill, where we turn east. The River Stour more-or-less defines the border with Essex, and the road follows, occasionally crossing its path—tantalising us with an oh-so-brief taste of Essex before we arrive, wild-eyed and exhausted, at our destination: TTT Motorcycle Village, on the outskirts of Sudbury.
TTT is a veritable Aladdin's Cave of motorcycling fantasy housed, invisible-in-plain-sight, in a nondescript (verging on decrepit) building, in a nondescript industrial estate (The Stour Valley Business Centre, 'Sudbury’s premier business park') in a nondescript town. Yet walk inside - no password required - and be dazzled by the array of machinery before you, all available to buy if only you have the coin. Crammed together, leaky old AJS next to pristine Norton V4S, limited edition Ducati 916 next to smokey '70s two-strokes, battled-scarred track bikes next to bizarrely Harley-aping Yamaha cruiser chrome leviathan. No prejudice here, choose your thrill and reminisce or fantasise as you will. For me, my own personal Princess Jasmine, an early '80s Yamaha RD350YPVS, bedecked in Kenny Roberts TZ replica finery. Heartbreak surely that way lies. The cafe, in contrast, is merely adequate - none of Suffolk's overpriced gentrified fare here, for good or ill; look elsewhere if you want your burger in a Sesame bun.
The return leg is more, more, more of the same. 50 miles of b-road north to Brandon, punctuated by some petrol muppetry (mine; it seems my bike can go at least 10 miles while showing 0-miles remaining on the fuel guage), then a quick chance to give the bikes their heads up to Swaffham, whereupon we resume the b-road extravaganza through South and West Acre before dispersing at Gayton.
Another fine ride in the bag, 150 challenging miles under our belts and the Genie now put back in the lamp - until the next time.
No hedgerows were harmed during this rideout.
