Club run reports - 16th April

Category 6 ride led by Bob Brown

Fortunately clued up members John Farnham and Mike East pointed out to your doolally ride leader that the proposed café destination (Vanstone Garden Centre at Codicote) would be closed because of the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which precludes large shops with a floor area greater than 3,000sq ft from opening on Easter Sunday. Therefore Captain Bob hastily checked out Emily’s at Whitwell (which has a floor area more like 300sq ft!) and we went there instead because they were open.
Out using the “traditional” Cat 6 route as taught to Capt Bob by the legendary Danny Mason, we rode up to Datchworth, Woolmer Green via Coltsfoot Lane, then Nup End and St Paul’s Walden to Whitwell where we found some of the North Roaders who had overtaken us earlier ensconced in the outdoor seating with their coffee and Carrot cake. 
Four of our number decided not to queue and rode straight home, but numbers were partially made up when Brian Evans joined us after a solo ride out there.
After partaking of the excellent fare at Emily’s (the carrot cake was especially good) we enjoyed a tailwind ride back home and as a bonus avoided the threatened rain.
Only 29 miles but no punctures/ mishaps. A special big up to Bri Wignall, making her Cat 6 debut on her mountain bike, and to chairperson Marcia who was making her first appearance for some time after injury.