The previous week the group had arrived at the cafe in dribs and drabs, but formed a tight efficient peloton on the way home. This week it was the opposite as the group arrived en bloc at the Buntingford Cafe. After refreshments there were multiple options, longer, shorter or the designated route. No incidents, no reports of arrivals after dark. The main group rode 35 miles.
Talk about 21st century problems… Garmin failure left your intrepid ride leader bereft and lacking the magic maps that would guide the party unerringly to the café stop in Redbourn. Luckily the assembled Cat 3 company contained a wealth of local knowledge, which combined with my reasonable recollection of the route allowed us to make our way successfully through Essendon, Welham Green and Sandridge then skirting Harpenden before the dive down the hill to Redbourn and The Hub.
Today's ride saw the return of Jane to the cat six fold. I don't know what she's been up to, but whatever it was, it has been working, as she pulled us along all day - EPO? Come on Jane, own up! The usual route or through Moreton to Ongar was delayed only by Paul's chain jamming between cassette and frame. It was caused by his hanger being bent a few weeks ago when I pushed him over. Well that's what he thinks, him being a gooner and all that. Lots of hills but fast roads meant a very reasonable average speed was kept up by everyone.
After the 81"\Scrubbers\Unrestricted race around Cole Green, three Wheelers set off for Puckeridge via Walkern. The first puncture was outside Watton, the second at Moor Green. Mine was the latter and after changing the inner tube and being unable to pump it up I had more difficulties as I couldn't get the tyre back off. Ian saved my day! After advising the others to "go on ahead" I eventually got myself sorted and got to Puckeridge. We rode back together to complete a moderately Cat 3 short ride of about 35 miles.
Thirteen set off on a glorious Indian Summer morning via Bramfield, Datchworth, Aston and Walkern for the café stop at the very welcoming Mill End Garden Centre. Lots of baked goodies thanks to Cathy’s tip off to them that we were coming; my apple pie contained apples that had been minding their own business hanging about on the tree earlier that morning. How fresh is that?
Back home via Benington and High Elms Lane to Watton, then straight home along the A119 after we’d collected Bruno from the road up to Datchworth.
Ten riders set off bang on 9.30 from Allenburys, bound for Thremhall Park, Takeley, right next to Stanstead Airport runway. You might detect a trend here as we were next to Luton Airport last week!
We took a similar route as the one to Hatfield Heath, before turning off on the long straight road for Takeley.
Seven gathered in sunshine at Hertford for a ride to the Chilterns. The initial chill was soon dispelled and gilets and arm-warmers were dispensed with along the way. The route was more-or-less straight out and back to Harlington, though with minor deviations to add variety. One such was an unintended stretch of the A6 as a result of mis-navigation by the leader. This might be presumed to be creeping senility - though the leader maintains, after consulting Street View, that the sign for Hexton had been removed.
Bolstered by a couple of Cat 3 regulars who didn’t fancy Barry’s 100 miler, eight set off from Hartham bound for Mill End Garden centre at Rushden. Not quite up to Mike Easts’ immaculate timekeeping, Captain Bob got his group to the venue two minutes early at 10.58.
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!
