Club run reports - 27th August

Category 3 ride led by Ian Bembridge

A chilly morning with a breeze from the west was the order of the day as five riders set off for Saffron Walden from Ware.As we rode along Kettle Green Road, the cat 2s spotted the legendary blue Wheelers shirts, and gave us a friendly wave as they headed in the opposite direction.

After turning right at Albury onto the Bishops Stortford avoiding route, we were met by a posy of cyclists who were obviously taking part in a sportive. We crossed the ford on Farnham Road, where the surface is damp and gravelly. One of the lunatics in the sportive, speeding down the hill towards the ford, out of control in the opposite direction to us, did his best to wipe out the Wheelers, prompting Sam Aylett, one of our newer members, to declare “That is why I never enter sportive!” 

The Café Mocha in Saffron Walden serves great bacon and good coffee, but when the heavens decided to open as the food was delivered, a quick move inside was the order of the day! Unfortunately they don’t do a good line in sugary cakes, which is probably why Denis lacked the energy to avoid a pot hole on the way home, somewhere along the Clavering avoiding route heading for Anstey. With a yell that prompted Greame to take an unexpected left turn, he duly fell off, and was rescued by Barry who took evasive action to avoid riding over him!

With minimum damage, apart from his handlebar tape (that infamous item that stumped all of us in the recent Treasure Trail competition), Denis was dusted down and continued in his usual jovial state. Where would we be without our official PDO (Power Declaration Officer)? – 144 Watts today!

Thanks to Graeme, Barry, Sam and Denis for fun, banter and an enjoyable ride today. Hope your bruised ribs and fingers get better soon Denis!