Testimonial
A Warm Welcome and a Wonderful Ride Through Essex
Zafer and his son Tao enjoyed a carefully planned two-day cycling tour with Andrew’s Charity Cottage Bike Hub, experiencing scenic Essex routes, professional guidance, warm hospitality and a welcoming community atmosphere.
“Andrew’s professionalism and kind hospitality made our two-day cycling experience truly unforgettable.”
Introduction: A Father and Son Cycling Story
My name is Zafer Oktay Tulga, and my son, Tao Jan Tulga, would like to share our experience with Mr. Andrew’s Charity Cottage Bike Hub for cycling enthusiasts of both amateur and professional levels.
Arrival: A Warm Welcome to Essex
My son and I had the great privilege of experiencing a wonderful two-day cycling tour around Maldon and Chelmsford, organised and guided by Mr. Andrew. On the first day, we landed at Stansted Airport in the evening and were picked up by Mr. Andrew, who was very warm and welcoming. On the way to our hotel in Maldon, we talked about the exciting two-day adventure ahead of us. Everything was carefully planned and showed true professionalism. Our hotel, Limes by Luigi, was very comfortable and clean, and they offered a great breakfast.
Day One: Riverside Routes, Coffee Stops and Local Landmarks
The next morning, we were taken to Riverside Cycles, where Mr. Andrew operates, to organise our road bikes. There, we were professionally fitted to our bikes and geared up for our 35 km ride guided by Mr. Andrew. First, we started cycling towards the statue of Byrhtnoth to receive blessings before the ride. Then we cycled along the River Chelmer towards Barrow Marsh. On our way, we visited the Anglican Church of St. Mary the Virgin and then stopped at the Paper Mill Lock Tearooms for coffee. After that, we continued cycling and finished at Mr. Andrew’s Charity Cottage Bike Hub. After changing and freshening up, we were taken back to our hotel.
Evening Hospitality: A Welcome at the Hub
Later that afternoon, Mr. Andrew surprised us with a wonderful gathering at the Charity Bike Hub, where we were welcomed with delicious food, drinks, and a tour of the hub.
Day Two: Lavender Lake, Felsted and a Well-Earned Finish
On the second day, we were picked up and taken to the Charity Cottage Bike Hub once again. We started our 65 km route guided by Mr. Andrew towards Lavender Lake and Felsted. We had a lovely coffee break at Rumble Bees Caffè, then continued cycling to the Railway Carriage Museum, which also had a nice café. Finally, we cycled back to Maldon and finished the day with a well-deserved and delicious fish and chips meal.
Final Reflections: Professional, Kind and Highly Recommended
In conclusion, we had a wonderful two-day cycling experience with Mr. Andrew. His professionalism and kind hospitality truly overwhelmed us in the best possible way. I would highly recommend Mr. Andrew’s Charity Cottage Bike Hub and Riverside Cycles to cyclists of all levels, whether amateur or professional. Thank you, Andrew. We are already looking forward to visiting the hub again in the future.