Club run reports - 30th October

Category 6 ride led by Carolyn Kelleway

Well I thought I might be riding solo today. The forecast was poor with rain for a few hours. But to my delight along came eleven other hardy riders, all dressed for the weather including Chris wearing Claire’s clothes (he had forgotten his apparently!). In fact Claire was able to kit out herself, Chris and a very soggy Davina. Well done, Claire. We welcomed a new rider, Sally to the group and set off promptly heading to High Roding hoping the rain would ease, but it didn’t. 

No major incidents just a rubbing mudguard, dropped chain and phone call home to ask hubby to lock the car.

All arrived safely, but very wet, at Brett’s to be told no room inside! But they did have a nice little covered area at the back with heaters. Happy cat 6. Food was served very quickly, and off we set.

At last the rain stopped and we made good time back with no issues. 

It was a great ride and thank you all for coming along. Thanks to Pete and Tony for their help keeping everyone together, and I didn’t lose anyone! Success.

Category 4 ride led by Peter Bloomfield

I really should write these reports straight away, after four days the memories fade a bit. Hmm, so what happened on the Cat 4 ride to Blackmore? 

Turned out nice in the end… At the start people were wondering whether we were in for a repeat of the previous week when torrential rain led to the cancellation of all club runs. Things were not quite as bad so six of us set out clad against the weather (well mostly, for in her rush to fit mudguards before leaving home, Lisa forgot her overshoes, and Enzo opted for a lightweight jacket – which in the end turned out to be the right choice). We got as far as Roydon before Ian realised his pump was loose and in danger of slipping into the chainwheel, luckily soon fixed with a cable tie supplied by Enzo. On through Harlow and the Matchings - Tye and Green - by which time the rain was coming to and end. 

On increasingly drying roads we headed on to Blackmore where I made a major navigational error that led to us going nearly three miles past the café - oops! Made our way back and our prospective member Dillon joined Ian in having the Full English - he should fit right in! Our injured compadre Elio drove out to join us for the café stop - good to see him and to hear that he is gradually recovering. After the restart Denis said he was not feeling his best (a recent Covid jab was not helping) and soon he decided to turn off and make his own way back via a shorter route. 

Not gone far when “puncture!” was heard - Lisa’s front tyre sprang a leak. However she has tubeless tyres and Dillon knew the drill to self-seal it. Praise be! The slime did its job and within a few minutes the tyre was holding air again and we were back on our way, Lisa feeling pleased to have dodged anything worse. 

Next event was that when we reached Fiddler’s Hamlet, who should we meet but Denis - his short cut had brought him to the same point by a different route and from then on he stayed with us. The ride was uneventful from there onwards as we made our way back through Epping Upland, Roydon and home.