I turned up to lead on this glorious day; precipitation was 100% and I expected the full compliment of riders! I was going to phone the cafe, to advise them we were coming, but I held off. As I waited in anticipation, the realisation struck me that no one else was coming! Then thoughts of my lovely warm house came streaming into my head (like a warm sunny day) eating bacon sarnies and drinking cups of tea. But no, I decided to ride.
Five Wheelers proceeded on their merry way from Ware to overtake the category 6 group early on in Fanhams Hall Road, pleasantries of the day being exchanged. We continued via Barwick Ford, Standon, Mentley Lane, Gt Munden, Buntingford, Sandon and Roe Green to the excellent Mill End Nursery just as a large group from the Verulam Club were leaving full of cake; fortunately there was still plenty for us. Returned by way of Cromer Mill, Wood End, Haultwick, Standon Green End and Barwick Ford. 40 miles in pleasant weather.
Knock, Knock, are there any Cat 3 riders around today, yes, me, myself and I and a very welcome Arsenal supporter Ian Moore who was a guest! So the ride was changed to allow him to train up to the Emirates for the start of the match!
Just seven met up at Allenbury’s for a mid-summer pootle to Bishops Stortford. Just seven! Maybe it was member involvement in so many events on the same weekend - the Tour, the London Surrey 100, the Dunwich Dynamo. Maybe it was the outrageous prices at the sophisticated Mocha Cafe, our mid-ride stop. Maybe it was the rain, which for most of the first half, was quite heavy.
The group reduced by one before le depart - a member feared the consequences en route of a vegetable high on the Scoville scale consumed the day before.
Starting from Much Hadham a group of seven Wheelers lead by Tim Dobson rode a mainly off road route along the River Stort and through the Lea Valley following Sustrans National route 1 with a detour through the former Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, and returned mainly along the Lea and then retraced the route back to Much Hadham. A very warm and enjoyable day by all, 40 miles in total.
