Having braved the rather windy F6 time trial course, a few of us left Cole Green in search of Wandon End Golf Club, hoping that the category 6 mob had not eaten all the cakes. Luckily they hadn't and we joined them outside in the sun. The return was mostly into the wind, but broken up by a twisty lanes route. No mechanicals and, more surprisingly, no punctures, since some were on skinny racing tyres!
When you know that it's very windy, it’s a good idea to do a ride where you get the headwind out of the way on the out journey, but when the ride’s already been advertised and the café booked, you just have to bite the bullet and do the ride.
This was a lovely ride with light winds, dry roads and hints of spring sunshine as the day progressed.
Graham and Peter rode out to Victoria CC's Ugley hut, which meant an early rise to make the 9:00 am start time. On arrival they found the usual cozy, glitz-free welcome with free coffee, tea and biscuits. By lunch-time, and at the end, the atmosphere remained but the food offerings now included home-made soup, rolls and an irresistable selection of cake. Excellent value and all within the £10 entry fee.
Met up with Alex (& briefly MarkT) for a 07:30 start from Dunmow. With a reasonable tailwind, we headed north via Lavenham to the Snetterton race circuit at an average of 16.5mph. It was a bit slower on the return (13.5mph) especially as it got windier (& lumpier) but we were pleased with an overall average of 15mph considering that we weren't racing. Got back (via Newmarket) at 16:40. It was a fine day, not too cold nor too warm, with the first 100kms being relatively flat. A good audax to start spring with. PW.
When the weather is like Sunday's and the ride still goes ahead, it is tempting for ride leaders to target in their report those who, after looking out the window, choose their quilt ahead of donning lycra. This is, of course, a very puerile and smug thing to do. Readers of this report can therefore feel assured that Sunday's lily-livered, fair-weather, lie-a-bed, lightweight snowflakes are safe from such abuse. Just wanted to make that clear!
Ten Wheelers embarked for a circuitous route to Something Lovely at Puckeridge on a dry but windy last Sunday in February. Progress out via Babbs Green was temporarily halted because of an early puncture, where we were passed by Mark T' s group chuffing up the hill towards Bakers End. The usual ribald comments were exchanged.
After many days of freezy weather we were promised a day of relative mildness. It was quite windy on both the SW & N bound sections, and the hills in the Chilterns didn't help much either. After getting to Chalfont St Peter via Radlett, Bushey, Oxhey & Harefield I turned north to Amersham, Chesham & Woburn. Large black clouds then formed and chased me E to the Guildens where they caught & drowned me. The last 25 miles weren't much fun. PW.
