Club run reports - 22nd October

Category 3 ride led by Peter Walton

It not being the most pleasant weather (strong gales), I was surprised that there were as many as three other hardy stalwarts to take on this trip to Shepreth.  Left Hertford on a route that took us via Datchworth, Walkern to Ashwell.  The strong winds didn't really assist us much although once past Ashwell (heading east) we did move along at a reasonably impressive rate of knots.  After partaking of the munchies at Teacake (Shepreth), we carried on to Fowlmere before heading back down the B1368.  This part of the journey, which we thought would be difficult, turned out to be a fast ride.
Apart from the strong winds, the weather was good and the cafe was another welcoming addition to the HW destinations list.

Category 6 ride led by Bob Brown

A strong westerly wind, gusting to 38mph at times, was the main factor affecting today’s ride. Ten started from Hartham for the ride to Puckeridge. Out via Bramfield to Datchworth, a tailwind thrash down to Watton at Stone, then a climb up High Elms Lane and Whempstead saw the group stop for an unbelieving look at the “cyclists please be quiet in our village” sign at Dane End. Then via Great Munden and Mentley Lane to a welcome stop at Something Lovely in Puckeridge, where we were joined by Barry. Spurs supporter Martin left without troubling the café, and Paul Ryman left for his nearby home.
Others left at various points during the struggle home in the wind (a full on headwind up the climb out of Dane End up to Whempstead found a few out!) but the 30 mile ride was completed without any punctures or mechanicals.

Category 7 ride led by John Farnham

The worst of Storm Brian had already passed by leaving a windy but dry day for us to enjoy the Autumn colours of the more westerly part of Hertfordshire. Outwards through Sherrardspark Wood, Ayot Green, Ayot Greenway to Wheathampstead, Nomansland Common, Redbournbury to meet up with the Nickey Line on the edge of Hemel Hempstead, which lead us further into the town to Imagine Café. Our tea stop venue was a rather curious combination of Renault dealership, car wash and café, which proved to be both cyclist friendly and also having cyclist friendly prices. Return back along the Nickey Line to Harpenden to pick up another section of the Ayot Greenway to Leasey Bridge. A road section then took us up out of the Lea Valley to Gustard Wood, Ayot St Lawrence before dropping back down to the Ayot Greenway to pick up our outward route back to WGC. 35 miles, only 1 puncture.