Club run reports - 14th August

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Sun screen on - check. This was going to be a hot hot ride. Temperatures were going to be estimated at 40°c (no exaggeration there!), so on the Friday I made the decision to bring forward the ride time to half past eight. 

A few of us met at Ware at 8.10 and then, who should turn up with her fully serviced bike, yes, Amanda, aka Chainy! Chainy wasn’t there, as she had child duty. No more slipping chain, and the bike looked amazing. Nick Curtis sure does a great job. 

We rode down to Hertford at break neck speed and arrived at 8.27. It was nice to meet a new rider, Jack, lovely guy, and hopefully he will go on to ride with the Cat 3 and Cat 4. We also found Hanif - such a nice surprise to see you. The only time I don’t ride up to Hertford, and you do. 

As we set off the temperature was at 20°C already. Carolyn, as normal, was like a greyhound out of the traps. The group got split pretty quickly but before the roundabout at Hertford station we regrouped. The route for today took into account the weather and we rode through lots of shaded areas - I can’t thank Carolyn enough for such a fantastic route. We got to The Barn at 10.30 - amazing. We certainly have gelled as a group, and know our strengths and weaknesses.  I must say the food came out quickly and was superb. The sauce on the salad was amazing; apparently people from Ware call it dressing! Rebecca decided to sit outside, and I joined her in the furnace. It was actually quite pleasant as there was a small breeze. 

We all filled our water bottles up, sorry, bidons (I’m posh aren’t I!), as the sun was now pounding down! It wasn’t biblical, that’s reserved for wet weather, lol. 

We left a lot earlier than anticipated, and the temperature was rising and rising. A nice ride back and not a single mechanical. About six or seven miles from Hertford, someone mentioned ice cream, I’m sure it was Chainy! I stopped the group and everyone decided this was an amazing idea.  I know, sometimes I do come up with amazing ideas, even though it wasn’t mine, lol. After due discussion, it was decided we should get to Hertford, as Kev knew a nice ice cream parlour (posh,eh!). Everyone was riding like maniacs, as they knew there was an ice cream at the end. I mean, you give the donkey a stick and a carrot! Pmsl. 

We arrived in Hertford at about one, and there it was, a jewel in the crown, yes, an ice cream parlour. I walked in and it was like being a kid in a sweet shop. And then, yes, I saw it, a peanut butter and jam ice cream. Being the child I am, it was swiftly ordered and, oh my, absolutely superb. Everyone had ice cream and my ideas get greater and greater (even though it wasn’t my idea), don’t they! That was officially the end of the ride. We all said our goodbyes to Rich, aka Kev, aka “I’ve had covid 3 times”! Also Graham said his goodbyes. Down to 8 (I can’t count!), we arrived in Ware, it was all over, yes, the crowd was on the pitch! 

I was going to start making stuff up (as usual), but can’t print what some of us say on the ride! Utter gutter chat - Kev! Lol.  A big thank you to Pete Kelleway and Hanif Jetha for being at the front, and also being at the back countless times. Thanks you so much. Big thanks to Carolyn for designing the route. I really was just a spectator today; the ride went so smoothly, no thanks to me. 
Not a single mechanical, not even a slipped chain. Unbelievable, considering there were thirteen of us. 

Thank you all for coming. A thoroughly (you don’t realise how long it took me to type thoroughly, before I got it correct) enjoyable ride and great banter.

 
Obviously, written from the throne. Over and out and love and kisses. Tony.