Club run reports - 19th May

Category 5 ride led by John Farnham

A mostly overcast but nearly windless day brought 7 Wheelers to the start at Much Hadham for our Spring ride to the Garden Tea Rooms at Writtle, or to give it its proper title 'The Lordship Tea Room'. A mainly lanes route out through Hatfield Forest, White Roding, Birds Green, the curiously named Shellow Bowells, Roxwell and the Writtle Agricultural College grounds to the tea stop. Al Fresco dining was the order of the day before our return via yet more lanes through Newney Green, Pigstye Green (another curious Essex name!) Willingale, Fyfield, Little Laver, Matching Church, Sheering, Sawbridgeworth back to Much Hadham. 53 miles. Unlike recent weeks there were no crashes, mechanical mishaps or punctures to report.

Category 6 ride led by Mike East

As the crow rides it is a short hop from Hertford to Codicote, so some looping is required to create a category 6 ride which meets the needs of the eleven aspirational athletes gathered next to Sainsbury by 9.30. The winding route out took in Hertingfordbury, Cole Green, Tewin Hill, and the Knebworths. The timing to Vanstones was perfect as we beat Verulam CC to the queue. Then, as we enjoyed our fare, a big group of motor bikers turned up. How their stock has fallen - once haring down to Southend for a punch up with mods and the police, now, grey haired, joining a long line in a garden centre! 

Refreshed, and without a grey hair between us, the group meandered to Old Welwyn, back into Codicote, Woolmer Green, Bramfield and Hertford. All over by 1 pm, lovely company and an above average pace. Second ride for John, and welcome back Peter B.

Category 3 ride led by Barry Page

Twelve riders turned up on a better than forecast dry day with almost no wind, which made for a swift ride through the Essex lanes to High Easter.
“Are we there yet?” was heard and ignored often by the leader, and after about 45 miles we found The Snug Cafe where we ate outside due to the sauna temperatures inside.

One unlucky rider punctured one mile from the café but caught up in record time.