Club run reports - 23rd July

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

I decided today would be a nice day to ride out to the Polo Club. The weather forecast said it was going to rain and on the BBC App it said it wasn’t; I trusted the BBC app :-)! My decision was to ride off at nine, so we could be at the Polo Club in time for the breakfast menu. The cut off time was 11:15 and we had 23 miles to traverse (big word for me, eh). However, with the rain looming, I thought we may not make it. Mad Mark was with us, who, we all know he’s become the “puncture king”, so my thoughts were we might not make it ;-). Seven riders, including me turned up. I had ridden up with Leigh and the others from Ware. No cars were driven today so we were carbon neutral. Obviously, starting in Much Hadham, it would be totally inappropriate (another big word) to not go up Stansted Hill. So, we ride off and straight up the hill. We all made it up swiftly. Along Allens Green, and yada yada, ride ride. We had a tail wind and were shifting along. To my surprise, no mechanicals and we got to the Polo Club at 10:45. Well in time for breakfast. We ordered and were going to sit outside when the heavens opened, and, oh my goodness, did it rain. It was biblical, the cats and dogs were really coming down. We waited until the rain subsided (see, I do know big words) and rode off at half eleven, straight into a horrible head wind. Luckily we only had 13 miles to go. Mark became everyone’s domestique and took the front. No rain and we arrived at Much Hadham swiftly. All in all, a great ride and great company. Sorry it’s a bit of a short report, but I just ate a Chinese and by mistake asked for hot chillis on the deep fried shredded beef. I didn’t know they would add jalapeños! That’s why it’s a short one as it didn’t take long on the throne! Love and kisses.

Category 3 ride led by Ian Bembridge

Under grey and threatening skies, four riders set off from Hertford for Poplars garden centre in Toddington. 

The previous day's rain had left its mark, as the lanes were wet and gritty, and soon after Shaw's Corner a sharp flint embedded itself into Ian's tyre, requiring some remedial work. Graham decided to put his tyre glider to good use, as getting a nearly new tyre back onto DT Swiss wheels can be a challenge. Unfortunately, in a repeat performance of something that had happened earlier in the year, the tyre glider gave way, leaving part of itself embedded in the wheel! 

After the unwanted delay, all went well until we approached the village of Lilley, where Oliver, riding with the group for the first time, was unfortunately stung by a bee close to his mouth. By the time we reached Toddington he looked like he had been in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson, but the people in the cafe were very accommodating with an antihistamine drug and ice to stop the swelling.

With a little help from the wind, the ride home was at a good pace. The hill up from Hexton was a bit of a challenge for some, although Brian and Oliver sailed up it with very little effort.

All in all, a very enjoyable ride and we managed to avoid the rain!

Category 2 ride led by Laura Firth

Great turnout for the second revamped Cat 2 on Sunday - great to see some new faces in the peloton. 

It was a well paced group ride, averaging 17mph over 65ish miles with 950 meters of elevation in tough conditions. We had wind and flooded roads, but it was all worth it to sample the delights of the Dream Bean cafe in Great Offley. 

We worked together as a group and did some pacelines, moving in unison like the pros! 

Riders comprised Laura, Kevin O'Shea, Lib Rocco, Enzo M and Gary S.