Starting from Much Hadham a group of seven Wheelers lead by Tim Dobson rode a mainly off road route along the River Stort and through the Lea Valley following Sustrans National route 1 with a detour through the former Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, and returned mainly along the Lea and then retraced the route back to Much Hadham. A very warm and enjoyable day by all, 40 miles in total.
Although I was ride leader things didn’t go to plan! The route was planned but unfortunately the bike computer had other ideas and wouldn’t load up so with lots of help from Barry P we made it up as we went along!
Last Sunday it was all beach balls, sun cream, parasols and budgie smugglers. This Sunday it's back to soup, hot water bottles, and, the mainstay of Wheelers' rides for the past 4 months, layers. In spite of the national obsession to get prepared for the forthcoming royal wedding, a surprisingly large gaggle forsook these duties and assembled in Ware for 3 led rides.
Three things learned on this category 6 ride:
1. It seemed to be "Drive a 4 Wheel Drive' day
2. Everyone in Sawbridgeworth has a living mother who needs fetching/ visiting by car on Mothers' Day
3. Local motorists have read about the possibility of introducing an offence for not giving cyclists sufficient clearance and are terrifying us while they still can.
The cat six put out their first eleven today and, unlike Manchester City who could only manage six substitutes, we made do with none. The ride was managed in such a professional way that the need for fresh legs never arose and we got through the whole game without any mishaps. I was expecting a much quieter ride today knowing that a certain Mr Santos was having a go at the TT but, like a bad penny, who should turn up but Phil the Power (of his vocal chords) Taylor. So much for the peaceful Sunday ride.
