Club run reports - 30th June

Category 3 ride led by Tony Howard

Eight Wheelers turned out for an anti-clockwise trip to Dores Kitchen High Roding, some recently returned from “Mont Ventoux”! Just to prove this they donned newly purchased Ventoux kit, so I had high expectations of these individuals and they didn’t disappoint particularly around the Toot Hill area. Mind you, the 36 miles to the cafe with a following wind made this “Easy Peasy”! 

The return trip, albeit flat, was into a breeze, which I found rather refreshing. Only a couple of irate motorists, one who waved to us whilst passing in his old banger, or was it a rude gesture? Apparently we held him up for a couple of seconds! And a road rage incident between two car drivers whilst passing over Sawbridgeworth level crossing. Thankfully we weren’t the cause, but evasive action had to be taken by one member of the crew, which held him up for a while; we waited of course. 61 miles with an average of 15.7 mph, Dores Kitchen was great - we sat outside under the sun canopy and consumed some lovely food.

Cat (?) ride led by Peter Walton

Four of us this week!  The numbers are rising! 
A couple of days earlier I'd seen a sign advertising a pop-up cafe somewhere in or near Canfield.  So we went looking for it, and came across a village hall where there was no obvious sign of a village.  We were warmly welcomed and it seemed a bit rude not to try out their cake(s).  We then carried on past High Roding to do a bit of rare Orchid spotting!  (Tiz true!).  After that we turned towards Matching Green, Sawbo & home.  Did 52.5 miles at an average of 14.5mph and was back before 2 o'clock.

Category 6 ride led by Mike East

It was a family ride to Cammas Hall, with three generations of Wignalls. Ada enjoyed the journey in the trailer without as much as a squeak. And Mum and Dad, have, through their fantastic recent time trial successes, truly earned the right to join the category 6 peloton of perfection.
Thirteen riders left Allenbury’s, one taking a right turn at the exit, the rest going left. Is this a record for losing a rider? He did make it to the cafe 20 minutes before the rest of us, mind. And another, having missed the start completely, made it to Cammas Hall alone.
A tumble and a puncture interrupted the outbound journey. 
After prompt service and good food at the fruit farm, the now fourteen strong group headed into the wind for the return. 
Beyond Perry Green it was the ride leader’s turn for a puncture. Thanks go to Bob for picking up the captain’s armband and guiding the rest back to Ware.

40 miles covered - that’s 14% above the scheduled distance, all at no extra charge.

Category 5 ride led by John Farnham

After the Saturday heatwave Sunday provided much more comfortable conditions for the quartet of Wheelers making their way to Hinxworth, although the headwind did slow our progress on the outward leg. A busy but not too full Farrowby Farm quickly provided some tasty meals, during which the conversation turned to whether the return leg should include an afternoon tea stop as well. This was quickly voted in and we managed to cruise into the Buntingford Coffee Shop just before the three o’clock closing time. The tea and cake sustained us for the final 17 mile route back to Ware for a total of 64 miles on the day. No punctures, mechanicals or mishaps.