Club run reports - 23rd July

Category 3 ride led by Barry Page

Five riders left Cole Green after the Old Skool TT, some having raced old heavy "built to last " monuments to steel and aluminium (but mostly steel!)
We rode out through Watton, Whempstead, Green End, Haultwick and Aspenden to Buntingford. Finding the cafe full, we rode on to Hare Street for a cake or two.
Return was direct via Puckeridge. Just as well as the rain escorted us over the final few miles!

Not sure of mileage as computers had not been invented in 1972!

Category 5 ride led by Ian Smith

We sallied forth from Ware, weather prospects dubious, via Little Hadham, Upwick Green, Hazel End, Manuden, Rickling Green, Ugley, Henham, Pledgdon Green, Mole Hill Green, Bambers Green and Smiths Green to refreshments at Thremhall Priory. Quality of service and food preparation (together with a "bottomless cup" policy) remains at a high level. Proceeded through Bedlars Green and Great Hallingbury to Spellbrook soon after which we rode into the anticipated rain, but not for long. Just before Babbs Green Valdis presented us with the dreaded puncture. As usual the Herts Wheelers sprang into action like a well oiled machine to effect the necessary repair, and in no time at all (well eventually) we were on our way back into Ware after a satisfactory 50 mile "Rural Ride" through the Hertfordshire countryside, "not pretty by any means, but good" according to William Cobbett. This sentiment may also be relevant to most of the 10 participants. 

Category 6 ride led by Danny Hood

As you may all know, the cat 6 group had the pleasure today, if that's the right word, of a guest rider. Phil the Power usually rides out with the Cheshunt Wheelers, but today decided that he would move up a level and join us. It seems that his usual ride group were more than happy about this; in fact the term good riddance was bandied about. Their loss was our gain (believe that and you'll believe anything) as we were entertained by his stories of 100 mile rides at 18mph.......
Our Italian station Franco was also in fine form telling us all about his mainly marvellous barbecue; the South London meat didn't go down too well but the rest sounded great. We would have liked the opportunity to taste it ourselves, but none of us received an invite. We did however learn that he wasted between £140 and £175 (depending on who he was telling) getting a full service for his bike. He was so angry about this that outside the Stapleford Airfield cafe, he threw his bike on the floor in disgust. Latin temperament.....
A torrential downpour on the way home was the only minus.... not including Phil.... on an otherwise great ride. 37.9 miles at an average of 13.6mph through the Epping Alps. I'm not sure what they manage on the TdF but we couldn't have been far off it.
As usual thanks everyone for a good laugh and Phil...... you are welcome anytime!