Club run reports - 29th March

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

All hail Alex! Thanks to his careful study of our proposed route, we were saved from a descent of the Hexton Road hill only to have met impenetrable road-works followed by a slow and unfulfilling climb back to where we had started (0.8 miles at 5% average). Not only that, he took to his bike and checked out our proposed diversion (via Streatley) and novel route into Hitchin from the west (Nun's Close and under a house), and pronounced both to be plausible. He then demonstrated his confidence in his advice by joining us at the start in Hertford and riding with us on the long (34 mile) loop to Hitchin. We were joined also by guest James who provided good company along the way.

The weather showed little hint of spring, being cold and occasionally windy - but the roads were dry. We were buoyed in the Four-Leaf Clover by truly substantial breakfasts (for those who indulge in such things) and the prospect of a tail-wind for a good proportion of the remaining 20 miles.

No punctures, no crashes and back by 2 pm.