Wheelers' 200k pre-Audax Audax

The forecast was for a cool start with the sun scheduled to appear at 10:00. In the event we had to wait until 2:30 for our first, brief sunny interval. We were mostly under-dressed, so the chill wind from the north made the first half of the ride tougher than expected. Eventually the sun appeared properly which cheered us along our way.
Eight set off from Allenburys with Alex joining us near Datchworth. We stuck more-or-less together until Wheathampstead when the four faster riders went ahead. We all met briefly after 60 miles at the Chiltern Gateway Centre - the faster group having been delayed by the first of three punctures.
Of course there were lots of hills but there was also a nagging northerly wind. This made the section between Ardeley and Chishill especially hard but was much appreciated on the final stretch back to Ware.
Six completed the full 200k. The others departed for a variety of reasons but all will have completed 90 or 100 miles. Well done all!