club Runs Sunday 14th February 2016

Cat 3 run led by Graham K
Nine riders met at the bus-stop in Much Hadham for the ride to the Blue Egg in Great Bardfield. Tim and Angela were on the tandem and John was in the velomobile, so there was interesting machinery on display.

For a change, the normal incipient gale was from the north, so at least there was the prospect of some assistance on the return. All went well until Hatfield Forest when Tim's powerful gear operation tore his rear cable asunder. Despite adjustments to force the chain onto a middle-ish sprocket, the three gears available from the chain-rings were not really enough on a tandem and T&A headed back home from Dunmow. Some of those remaining envied them in the next few miles as the stretch from Dunmow to Bardfield was tough with a very strong head-wind combining with the gradual climb.

Fortunately the Blue Egg was on good form so there was no shortage of carbs for the return trip. The route back was via Thaxted and Elsenham and, apart from confusion brought about by a new route through Stansted, all went smoothly.
Cat 5 run led by Sarah W
Six set out into the teeth of the northerly taking a roundabout route to Royston via F, S & B Pelhams,  Meesdon, Langley, Shaftenhoe and Barley.  Alex and Sarah B left us there with the remainder taking refuge in Café Moreno.   Having taking a circuitous route out we took a more direct route back, this time with a wind assist through Therfield, Buckland, Barkway, Puckeridge and the old A10 home.
Cat 6 run led by Mike E
Last week's category 6 juggernaut was reduced to a Ford transit this, many preferring Valentine's Day soppiness to a schlepp to Buntingford and back. Ten departed from Ware, with one jumping ship on to the cat 5. Headwind out, but some sunshine. There were various route permutations used on the Aeolian assisted return journey. 33 miles.