Club Run Reports

Category 6 ride led by Carolyn Kelleway

As everyone gathered at the start in Hertford there was a low mumbling about length of ride but mostly about HILLS! For once I had taken the route from the ride GPS site so abdicated all responsibility.

So 7 adventurers set off for Wheathampstead on a beautiful day. 

Weather was good but the roads certainly were not. Non-stop pot holes, gravel and puddles. But amazingly not a mechanical was had. Thank goodness. 

Category 6 ride led by Carolyn Kelleway

With Tony still struggling with his back, I stepped up to lead category 6 this week to the lovely Mayfield Bakery.

I was a bit surprised to get up to a frost, but decided it would be OK and warm up quickly - I hoped!

So six hardy riders set off from Allenbury's, including Adrian with his lovely new Ribble bike and Amanda on her new Ciocc bike. New bike day!

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

There are those whose Sundays are habitually given over to self-indulgent indolence. They begin, perhaps, with a lie-in followed by a leisurely breakfast of hot buttered toast or croissants. Then it's to the pub for a couple of pints and the Sunday papers before returning to a roast and an afternoon dozing in front of the TV. The toll this repetitive, shiftless descent into torpidity has on their mental and physical health can only be imagined.

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Category 6 Christmas ride led by Tony Dos Santos

After we had made the list of riders' food orders and checked it twice, we sent it to Santa at Mill End Plants to ensure that my beloved Bakewell tart would be there in abundance. 

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?

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Today’s forecast was windy and wet. Nonetheless five trusty riders turned up. Two real Kevins, one Ian, one David and one Tony. We are the famous five. Does that include Timmy the dog? Who knows! 

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Category 3 ride led by Pete Kelleway

Today we were supposed to be going to Vanstones. Because of some (stupid) half marathon we changed to go to Stapleford Airfield. (Note from Editor - half marathon was a great experience!). Special attention was paid to the route to avoid any known flood areas or roads that were rivers.

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Don't mess with the weather! If the forecast is for a drenching just accept your fate.

Category 6 ride led by Carolyn Kelleway

So it was a beautiful but cold sunny day at last. As conscientious leader, I delegated Pete to go to the start to collect everyone and I would meet at the top of High Cross to save me a few miles for my knee.

There were 11 riders ready to go including 4 in shorts! (they were laughing later when we were all sweating), plus two category 3 traitors. Only 3 riders the week before. Not saying anything, but might be to do with ride leader popularity! 

Category 3 ride led by Peter Kelleway

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Today was the day, when I realised the cat 6 is like herding cats! 

The weather gods have been shining on us this month. The forecast for today was 25°C, for a trip to Shenley, via the hilly route. 

Hertford was the start location. I rocked up at twenty to nine, but not a soul in sight. Then it happened again, as the whole club turned up. OK, OK, a bit of an exaggeration - fourteen at the start and one to join en route. Welcome to Stewart A, on his first ride. 

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

It was a Much Hadham meet, so I only expected six or seven riders. I met Leigh in Hoddesdon at half seven as it was ride off at nine. Leigh asked why so early, then he remembered there was an amazing place that served the best cup of coffee in the world. So, we set off and found the “place” and had coffee with an amazing apricot cake. A few minutes to spare, we got to the meet point at 8.30, only half an hour to wait! 

Category 3 ride led by Peter Kelleway

Today we were going to Royston. north to south, a southerly headwind, and a few hills thrown in for good measure. Oh such joy. As Denis remarked before I posted the route ‘ woohoo…a short one!’. Oh well…….!!

Denis arrived just after me at Allenbury's. We must have been well camouflaged because Ian arrived and rode past us claiming not to have seen us. To be fair Peter was already there and neither Denis or I had seen him.

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Four assembled at Ware splendidly arrayed in the latest version Wheelers' kit. The weather prospects suggested that getting back before two o’clock would be a good plan. Consequently we decided to shorten the ride, substituting Thaxted for Finchingfield - a pity really as I have looked up a lot of stuff about the Finchingfield bridge controversy, which I am sure my companions would have found riveting.

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

The forecast today looked like it was going to be the hottest day of the year. 

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

The night before the ride, Carolyn predicted 15 riders would turn up. I didn’t think it would be that many. 

Today was going to be a hot one. The forecast was 25°C. It was a tad chilly on the ride up to Allenbury's, but soon warmed up. 

Category 3 ride led by Ian Bembridge

A chilly morning with a breeze from the west was the order of the day as five riders set off for Saffron Walden from Ware.As we rode along Kettle Green Road, the cat 2s spotted the legendary blue Wheelers shirts, and gave us a friendly wave as they headed in the opposite direction.

Category 3 ride led by Ian Bembridge

The perfect day for cycling, being warm but not too hot as we headed for the station café in Rayne. Alex seemed particularly pleased that we managed to get to Matching Green without going through Sawbridgeworth.

The south westerly wind gave us a hand in getting to Rayne at an average speed of 16.1 mph.