Club run reports - 10th December

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Ah! Norton Heath Café! What a delight on a dark, damp, dismal day in Essex. The mug of tea I ordered was delivered instantly, the tea bag hand-squeezed and the customer relieved of the responsibility of deciding whether or not milk would be required. No sooner had I sat down at my table than the requested bacon sandwich was delivered. It was unencumbered by salad, encased in 1" slabs of soft white bread (no time-wasting discussions about brown or white) and contained about six rashers. What more could anyone want?

I suppose I should say something about the ride. There was a lot of water involved; a lot on the ground causing one diversion and six wet feet and, on the way back, a lot falling from above. 

We all claimed to have enjoyed ourselves. I suspect that self-delusion needs to be added to the list of attributes of the successful cyclist.

Category 6 ride led by Amanda Speake

This was the category 6 ride to Mayfield’s Bakery that didn’t follow the route.

After a two-week break for icy conditions,  seven cat sixers channelled their inner optimism and set out this morning, despite warnings of “you’ll get a soaking”.  

The rookie leader was soon stymied by flooded roads but luckily Carolyn, "the Routemaster”, was alongside and, without even needing to stop and think, devised a new route avoiding impassable fords.  Conditions were good and dry all the way to Mayfield’s which delivered it’s usual lovely coffees and baked goods.  Unfortunately the forecasted rain made an appearance during the stop. Rainproofs were duly unpacked (David wining best dressed with an impressive hat/jacket matching co-ord) and we set off back on the same route that we came in on. 

And then it rained a bit heavier, and then heavier again, with a the odd cheeky cross-wind chucked in for good measure.  Everyone was completely soaked by the time we made it back to Ware, a few people splitting off along the way to take the quickest routes home.  

Overall consensus – great to get out even if it was a bit grim at the end.