Club run reports - 14th May

Category 4 ride led by Pete Kelleway

After the Met Office had forecast Saturday’s weather so badly, I set off to the start hoping that they might be more accurate for our ride. I really hoped so because it was 8.9°C as I arrived at Allenbury’s!

Ian B(embridge) arrived followed by Mark. Then Ian B(ailey) came over and said he fancied a ride with us today. That gave me a dilemma; I really wanted him to come with us but how would I cope with two Ian B’s when I came to write the ride report???. And then Ryan said he also wanted to join us. Blimey I suddenly realised I would need to up my game (not difficult to be honest) as ride leader.

Saying goodbye to the Cat 6’s, we set off. We survived Ware High Steet, navigated our way out of Roydon and kept moving through the outskirts of Harlow. When we finally hit the ‘downhill with the wind behind us’ I had promised, we started to chat. Fortunately when Ryan said he worked in Canary Warf but wasn’t a banker, Ian Bailey’s hearing aid didn’t malfunction and no explanation was needed of what Ryan wasn’t. Ian Bembridge was on his favourite terrain and set the pace; as we responded Ryan must have put too much power through the cranks and his chain came off. Quickly replaced we set off in pursuit only to arrive at the next junction and not able to see the other three. Had they followed the route or gone the wrong way? Now I know Ian B(s) sometimes go the wrong way and Mark didn’t have the route. A millisecond of panic and then in true ride leader style ‘what the hell at least Ryan and I know the way’ we continued. My shame, how could I have doubted them because at the next junction they were waiting.

Now, being a group with obviously very little willpower, when we arrived at the Bakery Mark subsequently highlighted that we were unable to stick to the health eating agenda that Ian Bailey has been on recently. I thought I would sneak a cinnamon bun in as well as the bacon sandwich (it was delicious whole meal / seeded bread which made me feel partially better). To my surprise when I got to the table I discovered I was not the only one who had succumbed to the bakery’s charm! Cakes everywhere!

Overfed, we stepped outside to find the Met Office was right! The sun was out and the temperature had gone up to 18°C. Lovely. Paying our respects to Rod Stewart for getting the road repaired outside his house we headed for home. It’s amazing what Strava segments do for folks to encourage them to ride faster uphills than they normally would (or was it because of the cakes?)

All safe and sound we arrived back in Ware about 1.45.

Thanks to you for the enjoyable company and ride.

Category 6 ride by Danny Hood

A nice half dozen turned up for how to lead a ride masterclass. Fairly chilly and grey on the outwardly journey. We arrived at five to eleven and were treated to good food, great service and extremely reasonable prices by the Cafe Mocha once again. The sun began to peep it's head out from behind the clouds as we set off on the return. And by the time we were half way home it was full Costa del Sol stuff.

Apparently according to Bruno we averaged 20 for the ride...I must admit it didn't feel that fast and as it turned out it wasn't.. Mr B is a kph man. I can also report it was a 57km ride... Whatever that's is in sterling...

Very enjoyable company and a very savvy bunch too.. if only every ride leader was up to this standard, they kept on repeating.. three cheers for cube...for he's a jolly...ok chaps that's enough..