Club ride reports - 1st January 2023

Category 4/6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Happy New Year, one and all. This was an unofficial ride and Mill End Plants advised they would be open. 
Waiting at Ware, it was raining cats and dogs. Yet the weather forecast was for it to be dry! More and more riders started to turn up and at the first count we were eleven. We were going to meet Daniel Horn in Buntingford, making twelve in all. The roads were somewhat mucky and I assumed we were going to get punctures galore. We set off at 9 on the dot. Nice to see Brian Hill on this ride. We assumed some Wheelers had stayed home because of the rain.

We rode up through Thundridge and turned left up to Potter’s Green; you get the gist of where we were going. Arriving in Buntingford, there was Daniel at the north end waiting for us with the usual cheeky smile. As we continued, Phil Smith turned up (I think it was here anyway), confirming he had gone to Hertford, then rode to Ware and, finally, chased us down. Amazing that he caught us so quickly, although we were going at a slow pace. 

We got to Mill End just before eleven. Not that packed, and the Bakewell Tart was beckoning. All were fed and watered. I was standing outside and Lisa wanted to come back in, she endeavoured to open the door and pushed and pushed but couldn’t get in. she was then informed it was a sliding door! We love you Lisa :-). 

On the way back, we thought the weather was going to turn on us. My chain slipped off on the ring and I was just about to put it back in, when John F shouted in a booming voice “Stop, Tony, we can put this on so much more easily than by hand”. John, then amazed me with his magic trick using the front gear lever. I was in awe. Thank you so much, John, I’ve learned a new thing. 

We got to High Cross and we had our one and only puncture, John’s tyre had a massive bolder sitting in it. Rock removed, new tube fitted, all changed in about ten minutes we were off again. We said our goodbyes to John, Carolyn and Pete and were on the home straight. I realised Claire was missing and rode like the wind to Allenbury's. There was Claire, who advised her gear lever batteries had run out and she couldn’t change gear. I’m amazed as she was stuck in 8th gear and had to get up Cambridge Road hill! Amazing. 
All in all, a nice ride, only one puncture and one proper mechanical. 

Thirteen riders coming out on New Years Day was amazing. 

Obviously, written on the throne. Love and kisses.