Club run reports - 26th March

Category 4 ride led by Pete Kelleway

The Met office weather forecast was right for once. What a shame; it rained and rained and rained! For just a millisecond I thought about whether I should cancel the ride. I then realised that Ian (from the north) and Denis (the power machine) were planning to ride and would wonder why I would even consider a request. So, waterproofs on, I made my way to the start passing a few other foolish riders riding towards me (oh - they were Cat 6).
At the start I started to feel a little underdressed; I only had 3 layers on, Denis had 4 but we were both trumped by Ian who had 5! Off we set determined to do the planned route. Things went well until Furneux Pelham where a driver who had to wait a couple of seconds for us expressed his displeasure and another driver almost took Ian out. Apart from having to ford newly formed lakes in the road and avoid getting wet from cars soaking us the ride to the cafe passed without further incident. 
On arrival at Thremhall we went through the ‘this is what we must not do to avoid being told off’ briefing. Fully prepared we entered to be greeted with ‘ Hello how are you? You must have got very wet’. I wasn’t expecting that!. Service was excellent and the food and coffee great ( I even had time for a second coffee). Having put the world to right, we prepared to leave. Denis put his helmet on the table; a deep intake of breath and……silence. We had got away with it.
The journey home was dry, apart from a super large lake to navigate approaching Sawbridgeworth. It was nice to have some help from the tailwind.
Having survived this epic adventure (well, a wettish ride) we bid farewell.
It turned out to be an enjoyable ride and far better (?) than staying indoors in the warmth. How could I have even for a millisecond thought to have cancelled it!

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

I knew this was going to be a wet ride today, but didn’t realise how wet. I rode up from Enfield and was a drowned rat by the time I got to Ware.

At 5 to 9 no one had showed and I started to panic as Alex had said he was coming and riding from home. 8.56, I panic, I ring Alex, straight to answerphone, I leave a message saying it’s been cancelled. 

Two minutes to go - Amanda Speake and Ian Bailey turn up. I panic, people actually want to come on a ride. I panic again, trying to get hold of Alex to tell him the original plan is still on, to meet him at Stapleford. No reply. 

Off we ride, to meet Carolyn at Anchor Lane. My head still worried about Alex. 

At a quarter past we meet Carolyn. I panic again, ring Alex again, but straight to answer phone. My head is spinning as I’ve told Alex it’s cancelled and it’s not. I leave Alex a message on Slack to repeat a meeting up at Stapleford. Still no reply. My head is reeling, for the first time, things have spiralled out of control BADLY! 

It was pouring down with rain and we were absolutely soaked. 

Carolyn, being the level headed one, said, let’s go to Stapleford anyway and see if Alex meets us. We get there but no Alex. 

By this time, we’ve all decided to shorten the route and go to the Country Bumpkin. When I say “we”; obviously I mean Carolyn. 

I had decided by then, that Alex will get the two points and all will be well. 

We arrived at the cafe and luckily it wasn’t that busy. A quick bite to eat and we rode off. 

The rain and had stopped and Amanda said those immortal words - “it’s turning out quite nice now”, then the heavens opened and once again, we were drenched. Our spirits weren’t disheartened, we got to Hertford and through the town. Just as.  We were saying our goodbyes to Amanda, Lisa and Phil turn up; they had just come back from Essendon Club, our original destination. 

Off Lisa and Phil went. We got to Ware nice and early. 

A lovely ride, despite the rain and me messing up badly. Sorry Alex. Next time, I’ll wait until 9. 

Obviously written on the throne. 

Love and kisses xxx