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Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Today was going to be epic. Yes, epic! Lisa and I were endeavouring to herd thirty seven Wheelers into Mill End Plants.  We both agreed it would be like herding cats. Obviously, not all were coming on the cat 6. Each category was either leaving earlier or later, but converging (big word, eh) between 10:15 and 10:45. 

Category 3 ride led by Ian Bembridge

I set a new record for entrants today. There was one rider - me!

A couple of late apologies (sent this morning) were received, but I did not see them until I got home as I only have Pumble on my laptop. When I am leaving home at 08:30 I don't have time to fire up my laptop to see who has pulled out.

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Today was the day I could test my new power meter, but there’s too much else in the report to write about it this week. OK, I’ll tell you. Nah, next week (laugh emojis)

Category 6 ride led by Ian Bailey

It turns out that Strava now gives an AI-generated report on rides. This is what it has to say about the work of today’s intrepid foursome:

Looks like you had a solid ride out to the Mayfields Farm Bakery, battling some decent headwinds along the way.

Your average speed of 11 mph and elevated relative effort of 144 suggest you really pushed yourself on this one.

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

After bumping along with two or three participants all summer our ranks swelled to five this weekend - we love the cold!

Cold it was at the start, but the temperature rose throughout the day, it stayed dry and the sun occasionality managed some modest shining. We took a long way round to Royston heading out to Datchworth then up to Weston, Baldock and Bygrave - nice views up there. After the fast descent to Ashwell it was west to Royston via Littlington and the exciting hell-for-leather race along the A505.

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Well, what can I say, this was a ride of two cafe’s. Intrigued? Read on.

The weatherman advised (even on the Met Office app) there was to be no rain today. Such a liar, eh! 

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos 

Strap line: Has anyone seen Wally? Where’s Wally? Now replace with Where’s Pete’s Toolkit? All will be revealed. 

'Twas a pleasant, nay, picturesque morn on the last Sunday of September. The sun was shining, the robins were chirping. Nothing could go wrong. 

I rode up to Ware on my bicyclette. Upon yonder route, I saw the Category four riders at the Clock Tower and I even got a cameo part in the movie “Cat 4 does Barnet” (it’s better if you say it in a gangster style voice, lol). 

Competition secretary Sam Ball reports

And so, after enjoying the Bank Holiday, the points have been counted and (ahem) verified and we now have the results of this year’s Tourist Trophy competition.

The best laid plans ...

... can still fall victim to the vagueries of the weather. Hopes that the forecast for 8th September might prove to be false were dispelled wen the rain began just in time for the first riders to set of at 8:00 am, and continued on and off throughout the day. Not surprisingly, many entrants had decided to stay in bed and entries on the day were in short supply. Still, those that persisted enjoyed three new routes which combined some fast sections as well as a few stiff climbs.

Three rides; 100, 160 and 200 km.

Still time to enter online.

Entry also possible on the day.

See the full details!

Category 6 ride led by Kevin McPheat

After learning that using Strava to 'edit' a route is a disaster, I decided to create the route myself, which is easy enough if you don’t get too ambitious. Route saved and downloaded to my phone, and the phone strapped onto the handlebar with some elastic bands added, as the last time, it went flying when we went over the railway crossing. With two water bottles and two bandage plasters in my kit, I was now ready to be a ride leader!

Category 6 ride led by Kevin McPheat

After learning that using Strava to 'edit' a route was a disaster, I decided to create the route myself, which is easy enough if you don’t get too ambitious. Route saved and downloaded to my phone, and the phone strapped onto the handlebar with some elastic bands added, as the last time, it went flying when we went over the railway crossing. With two water bottles and two bandage plasters in my kit, I was now ready to be a ride leader!

Join one of the Wheelers' "Audax*" rides - self-guided rides through some of the best of local cycling country.
Ride at your own pace, get together with friends or make new friends along the way.

The Dunwich Dynamo report by Tony Dos Santos

The 2024 Dunwich Dynamo starred Lisa Ridoutt, Kate D’Arcy, Enzo Misuraca, Giancarlo Misuraca, Peter Bloomfield, Mark Kerr, Claire Gopoulos, Stewart Allman, Ertan Mustafa and Tony Dos Santos. 

A couple of days before we prepared by getting the vehicles in place so that we can get all the riders home safely. A big thanks to Lisa and Claire for leaving their vehicles at Dunwich and offering to bring us all home. 

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

At the start in Hertford the Cat 3 riders mingled with those of Cat 6. After full and thorough consultation, and having ascertained that both groups were heading in the same direction, the Cat 3 team agreed to set off promptly in order to avoid being crushed by the Cat 6 horde. So it was that Ian and Graham headed off towards the Chilterns - a small group, but perfectly formed.

Five Wheelers entered July 2nd time trial

Results

1. Sam Ball 27.43
2. Arron Emms 27.53
3. Phil Smith 27.59
4. Barry Page 30.12
5. Peter Walton 30.15

So the men's league table is now:

1. Peter Walton (55)
2. Sam Ball (30)
3. Ian Bembridge, Arron Emms (9)

5. Phil Smith (8)
6. Barry Page (7)

The women's league table is unchanged:

1. Emily Chilton (20)
2. Laura O’Shea (19)

Here is the solution to John Pearson's crossword in this year's Mudguardian.

In the ladies league, Emily Chilton leads with 20 points and Laura O’Shea is second with 19 points. For the men, Peter Walton is up to 49 points in first place, Sam Ballf in second place with 20 points and Ian Bembridge third with 9 points.

3 wheelers at tonight's time trial - Peter Walton, Laura O'Shea and mme (Sam Ball). I didn't take my own advice and forgot my lights but thankfully I was able to borrow some. Nice conditions but a bit of a headwind held up progress on the long downhill from the start.