Club run reports - 25th May

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

This was our second successive foray into the Chilterns (Pyreneen trip looming for some of us!) 

This time we started in Ware under gathering clouds which delivered rain once we reached Hertford. This persisted while we bounced uncomfortably over what passes for a road surface on the B1000 to Welwyn but soon eased off. 

In order to ring the changes we turned left in Welwyn and up White Hill, which gave us our first helping of double-digit gradients. After that it was down Water End Lane then Colemans Green, Ayres End, across the golf course and down the hill to Redbourn. This week we stayed on Gaddesdon Row, (where the strong westerly made its presence felt) then down Pedley Hill and up Hudnall Hill to Little Gaddesdon.

After enjoying the very fast descent to Dagnall we all looked forward to the highlight of the day - the ascent of Bison Hill. All made it! My own climb providing a fine demonstration of how slowly you can ride a bike in the wind without falling over.

After that experience the climb up to the Chilterns Gateway Centre was a doddle. We ate sitting outside in the sunshine. Maybe not a very good choice as we had to guard our not very wonderful food to prevent it being blown away by the wind.

We had nothing bad to say about the wind when it propelled us on our way home. There were lots of nice descents but some climbs too - Chiltern Green Road and The Holt I found especially memorable.

Back home around half two, so not so bad.