Club Run Reports

Nineteen took to the hills on an occasion when it did not rain.  From Ware to Hertford, Bayford, Tylers Causeway, Essendon and back to Ware.  Twas a good ride on a good evening.

A decent day.  It didn't rain!  Not too windy!  Big yellow thing in the sky!  Can't last?  And so HWCC took full advantage with over 30 riders out on the roads either on one of the clubruns or a charity ride.  Ten rode from Ware to Hatfield Heath on a fairly painless journey whilst nearly twenty met at Hertford.  Fortunately this group split with a dozen off to Hudnall Corner and the rest on the medium\fast trainer.  The Hudnall Corner group only suffered two punctures and most had a good day out although there were still some major "lakes" to negotiate especially on the 250 yard off road b

At 19:00 seventeen riders turned up for the Weds evening tour.  Alas the foul weather turned up at the same time.  From standing around in goodish weather awaiting the start, by the time we set off it was raining hard.  As we made our way up the A10 we encountered a storm.  Was a tad scary!!  Riding down the road from Levens Green to Dane End would have been easier in a canoe and at the bottom of the descent there was a deep lake.  We had to ford it as there was no return back up the hill.

The appalling conditions prevented the nine strong medium group from getting to the appropriately named destination of Rayne.  At about the halfway stage the group negotiated one lake too many and the decision was made to retrace their steps - back through all the lakes and rivers that would have been much more enjoyable with MTB's.  A small group of four eventually took refuge in a pub at Much Hadham.  Despite everything nobody had any mechanical problems.  Contrast this to the easy group where Chris continued his attempts to take the puncture repair record:- and Bob had a diction slip.

The Weds evening rides are proving to be extremely popular as people try to get over the Hump Day.  Richard led the ride north up the A10 to Levens Green, Dane End, Benington, Aston and across the A602 to return via Datchworth.  From there came the somewhat obligatory race back.

Good turnout today over the four rides.  With the reclassification of the "fast training ride" to a more general "medium\fast ride", it meant that riders who previously would not have attempted it due to the thought of soon being left behind, decided to give it a go.  Five went offoad.  The seven easy riders met up with Peter, who had driven across, at Emily's.  Three riders took up the afternoon challenge.  Sorry Bob, you're not catching up yet!

Sixteen riders out although how many came just to see John's new Banana-Boat is unclear.  Still he gave an impressive display of its speed and his agility, despite the fact that the machine has the turning capabilities of a tanker.  However it has no problem in turning heads, as demonstrated down the hill between Wadesmill & Thundridge.

With the lousy weather affecting everyone's lives, most riders turned up for the easy pacer leaving only four to do the medium from Thaxted.  The fourteen who rode the easy endured an interesting journey with plenty of rest breaks.  Chris punctured, and then repunctured so this time he decided he would fix it and return home.  Then it was Jason's turn.

Didn't know we had so many members\prospectives!  With about 20 of us out we toured the lanes like a large lorry blindly following its satnav although with JF leading there was no chance of getting lost.  There were no punctures or mechanicals and a brisk ride was had by all on a warm summer evening.  Not often had a chance to write that this year!

Over 20 out, with most on the medium paced ride.  The four on the easy pacer had a fairly trouble-free ride as for the most part was the medium.  VB snapped his chain, and then the group managed to split as they were incorrectly advised by a rider from another club!  However all came together at Hare St.

And such foul weather!  Six started out on the slowie from Ware and were eventually met by the two who had attempted the medium but called it off part-way.  It wasn't cold but it did get extremely wet, so the stop at Bps Stortford was very welcome.

A torrential downpour deterred many, but the eight who waited for the rain to stop enjoyed a good ride in good, but dampish, conditions.

After the rigours of the Club TT 30 on the A1, Alex led four from Tempsford to Grafham Water.  A twentyfive mile out, and fifteen mile return, was enjoyed at a good pace in blazing hot weather.

Barry, fresh from his French exploits and his victory in the club TT the previous night, led a large group around the lanes.  The evening was enlivened by MarkT's constant battle with his wheels, spokes and tyres.

Despite many being on tour in France nine riders did make their way to Buntingford this morning.  Some took the faster pace return whilst others remained at the easy pace.

Numbers are picking up as seven took to the streets for an early evening trip.

Alas the Tortoise Tea Room is living up to its name as it cannot cope when a group turns up.  However the ten who went to Parrishes at Thaxted had a good morning out.

The start of the Weds tours, but only three turned up.  Should be more next week as word gets around.

Lots of riders out, and lots of punctures.  Eleven riders and four punctures on the slow ride made for a lot of standing around in the cold and a long day.  We arrived back at the start in order to wave off the four on the afternoon ride.  The five off roaders experienced five punctures between them and although seven speedsters turned up for the fastie, Mark managed to bypass the puncture problem by breaking a spoke instead.  At least it was something different!  The weather was not especially bad on the day, but the last few days have washed so many flints onto the road.  Bullet proof tyr

Those of you who wish to combine the word very (as many times as you like) with the words wet and windy (but not cold ) would get an accurate appreciation of the weather conditions.  Despite this, four diehards took part in the easy pacer and fortunately did not suffer from any further problems.