Club Run Reports - 16th October

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Cat 6 becomes Air Force One!

The team decided we were going to leave at 9, so, after due pressure, that is when I scheduled the ride.
The night before I had too much to drink and was somewhat hanging, but in true Wheelers’ fashion, I knew I was still going to be there.
I road up with Davina, who had also been on the lash on Saturday. From our homes, we met in Cheshunt. Half way there, I got stung by a wasp on my eye. It was a tad painful!
We got to Hertford at 8:40. Riders started to roll in. The grapevine (well, WhatsApp) had heard I’d been stung and was also hungover. Kate turned up with Ibuprofen and Amanda S with Piriton. Amazing! We were about to start when David “The IT wizard” hadn’t loaded the route, as he heard people get left behind!
We were off at 9.03. Carolyn (isn’t she just the best, I mean, you’d have wanted her as your school teacher wouldn’t you?) led us through Hertford town centre as there were traffic lights. Then we were off into the Hertfordshire rolling hills. We got to Brickendon Lane and up the hill we went without a single moan. Pete “The Dish” (yes, he’s back with the 6’s) advised he’s got a new gravel bike.
We rode on and did the right turn at South Mimms, where Martin Phillips’s bike decided it wanted to go into the services; luckily I was on hand to tell the bike off. Phew!
We got to the Cafe at Shenley in record time and beat the crowds. The food was ordered and literally as we sat down the food was on the table. The weather was an incredible 17c, so we sat outside. All fed and watered, we were just about to leave as Kate advised she needed the loo, you should have seen Carolyn’s face, it was a picture :-).
Graham, advised he was having problems with his Garmin. I had a look and realised he couldn’t read the screen properly as he had put it on the mount upside down! Graham said he didn’t think he had ridden 71 miles, obviously, it was 17 really. We all laughed like drains!
As we turned round, who was standing there? Yes, none other than “The President”, I kid you not, “El Presidente” was standing there, with his Wheelers uniform on. It was none other than John Pearson. He would ride back to Brookmans Park with us. My panic set in, I’d have to change the call sign of the ride. I rummaged through my belongings and there it was the call sign I had been waiting to use for years, I couldn’t believe it, we had become Air Force One, yes, I know it’s amazing. I was piloting AFO, I couldn’t believe it. Me, welcoming “The President” on my ride. As ride leader, I had been elevated, no catapulted to the heady heights of “Bodyguard/Pilot” of the most prestigious man on the planet. Amazing, eh!
Off we went, the (body)guard of honour had formed around John (AKA The President), who we loved having on the ride. I don’t think El Presidente realised the pace of the Cat 6, no sorry, Air Force One, had changed over the years.
We got to Brookmans Park and John said his goodbyes. I was sad that I had to change the call sign back to Cat 6, but on the upside we had enjoyed “The President” on our ride. Everyone, as they grow older can say they had met The President and were on Air Force One for a short amount of time.
Obviously, after John left, there was people telling each other they had talked with “The President”!
After the excitement had calmed, we got into the pattern of the Cat 6, smooth peddling and in a tight chain gang; agghhh sorry, I dreamt that bit, as I fell asleep! We rode to Hertford, then onto Ware, where I waved goodbye to the Warearians!
Not a single mechanical, not even a slipped chain. Oh yes there was, I hear people cry from the stalls - it was Leigh Pegg’s bike that continues to do this. Never mind. All in all, a great ride, great company and I managed to lose no one at all.
Obviously, written from the throne.
Over and out, love and kisses.