Club run reports - 19th March

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Ready, set, go! That was my thought on getting to the Bakewell before mayhem descended on Mill End as it was Mother’s Day. Everyone was going to be there, the PM, Lord Lucan, Screaming Lord Such. You get the gist of it. 

Waiting at the Allenbury’s, a new rider arrives, Sue Quinn. She wants to join a club as she has a place in the Ride 100. Sue brings hubby  Martin for moral support; I don’t blame her really with us rabble! Welcome to the club, Sue. Next arriving in his car (I know, I know, he only lives in Hertford) was Adrian with his “tangerine machine”. Nice to see you, Adrian. Next it is the birthday boy himself, yes, it was Pete the Tweak. Obviously, Carolyn was bringing up the rear all regimented and that :-). Other usual suspects turned up, Kate, David and Graham. It was nice to see Bruno with us again. Graham was suffering from a smashed elbow and it was really hurting. Isn’t he a soldier?

As we were about to set off, David hadn’t loaded the route on his Garmin. Carolyn jumped in and got it set up. We left at 3 minutes after nine - the Bakewell was waiting. The usual banter ensued, with Sue and Martin joining in. We realised then and there, they would fit in, as they’re as mad as a box of frogs! 

Now, as Carolyn is preparing the routes, we knew it was going to be hilly , but COME ON, not this hilly. It was ludicrous :-). We even did Sacombe Hill. OK, we went down it!

More hills ensued, then as we got near Mill End, Adrian had a puncture near Luffenhall. Pete told the rest of us to go on as we were close to the cafe. I mean, even on his birthday he ended up fixing a puncture. I know, outrageous isn’t it - I think Carolyn should have changed it :-)! 

We got to Mill End in record time and as we pulled up, there were shed loads of riders there already, but, luckily there was plenty of Bakewell left. Phew! Pete and Adrian turned up about 15 minutes later. Duly fed and watered we were off. Another twenty one miles to go, obviously hilly (thanks Carolyn!) with amazing scenery.

At Buntingford, Martin said his goodbyes as he saw Sue was in safe hands. Nothing to do with the fact he was a lot faster than us lot and probably wanted to up his average pace by about 10 miles an hour. Lovely to meet you, Martin, always welcome on the rides. 

We were on the last leg and Pete challenged me to a race down the hill on Ermine Street. I couldn’t resist as Pete was on his gravel bike. Pete was in front from the off until I shot past him, but he wasn’t having it and, all I can say is, he sailed past. Damn, he’d beaten me! Obviously, I let him win - it was his birthday after all! OK, he won fair and square. 

Kate and Bruno had shot off into the distance but we never saw Kate again, the reason being she needed the toilet. We said our goodbyes to Pete and Carolyn and up the Cambridge road hill we went. We got back to Allenbury’s in good time and Bruno was waiting for Sue and me. He looked fresh as a daisy. 

Now, Sue’s friend, Sally, was supposed to come on the ride, but she had Mother’s Day duties (her son had cooked for her). Sue spoke with her on the phone and this is when I realised that Sally was also mad as a box of frogs and would fit in perfectly with the Wheelers. 

Thanks for coming on a lovely ride on the rolling hills of Hertfordshire everyone. Thanks to Carolyn, for an amazing route. 

Obviously written on the throne!

Love and kisses.