Club Run Reports

Category 6 - led by Danny Hood

Three rides, 29 riders, two punctures ...

Category 6 - led by Bob Brown

Seven Wheelers, including those who turned up expecting a Cat 3, set off from Allenburys at the advertised 09.30, wondering where Barry was. Up the old A10 to High Cross, brushing aside the ascent of the hill to High Cross as if it wasn’t there, the peleton then turned into a particularly muddy Marshall’s  Lane and headed for  Sacombe Green, Dane End and Great Munden. Captain Bob did offer the option of taking the route via Haultwick, but there was no enthusiasm for this, so via Great Munden Church it was. 

Cat 5 - led by Peter Walton

Three rides enjoyed the winter sunshine

Cat 3 led by Alex Powell

An undulating route out into a moderate headwind via Bengeo, Dane End, Puckeridge, Braughing, Berden, Arkesden and Strethall which included a broken mudguard, spoke and a puncture (Paul's first ever) and Leigh losing 2 bolts from his cleat, all coped with or ignored with the minimum of fuss.

Never mind the weather as long as we're together!

Cat 5 - PW

Two of us this time, Valdis & myself.  We headed north via the old A10 to Puckeridge and thence onward via Furneux Pelham and Berden until Rickling where we turned South and gained the advantage of a following wind.  Down via Henham in time for the service there and then looped around Stansted Airport to the venue at Thremhall Park off the old A120.  There we became three as we were met by IanS who rode back with us.  A new cafe for us and a welcome change, especially as they refilled our tea\coffee cups for zilch.  

Cold and wind may have deterred a few but the rest enjoyed some excellent rides.

Plenty of riders out despite the dense fog.

Beautiful autumn weather for this week's rides!

Cat 5.  PW.

Cat X led by Barry Page

Barry led 6 off on the post hill climb ride. Brian H soon turned off for home and Peter W diverted to join John F at Hinxworth. Perhaps disoriented by only coming second in a Club event, Barry continued towards Whitwell on an unusual route which seemed destined to run to the east of Stevenage. A bit of quick thinking determined that the real destination had always been Ardeley. Thus Barry, Graham K, Paul Laws and Paul Milner enjoyed sunshine and cake at Church Farm before heading back to Ware via Great Munden and the old A10.

Cat X led by Barry Page

Having destroyed the opposition in the morning TT Barry led his defeated victims plus some non-combatants on a pleasant, sunlit ride to Buntingford via Dane End. After tea and cake the group crossed the Buntingford-Hare Street col and returned via the B1368.

Cat 6 run led by Bob B
Eleven assorted Wheelers left Allenburys headed for The March Hare at Hare Street.
Confused by the varying weather predictions, riders’ garb ranged from summer to
winter! As it turned out, there was not so much as a drop of rain.
Out via Much Hadham, Little Hadham, Albury, Furneux Pelham, Little Hormead and Great
Hormead the group arrived without mishap and at the pre-booked time at the ill named
March Hare. It used to be called the Tortoise and we stopped going there some years

Cat 6 run led by Mike E

Cat 6 run led by Danny H
14 wheelers plus 1 made the grand depart from Allenburys heading to Stapleford
abbotts airfield and luckily 15 arrived there. The great weather and smooth road
surfaces made for a fast pace today,  which was just as well because I managed
somehow to fit in an extra 6 miles to the advertised length and once again lose some
of the group. I don't know what it is about the junction onto the Epping new road at
Thornwood common but for some reason whenever I lead a ride through there it behaves

Cat 6 run led by Mike E
After a lull in participation during the holiday season, fifteen vibrant riders sought autumnal bike heaven on the ride to the outskirts of Luton. (How often do you find Luton and heaven in the same sentence?). No navigational issues arose this week on a route via Whitwell. The golf centre was welcoming.  The return journey took in Kimpton and Codicote. No issues to report over 36 miles

Cat 2 unled by Brian

Brian waited a bit but then realised most people would be off on the Cat 3 then decided to head off as no one turned out. With the approaching rain clouds I decided to do the Wednesday route, which was fast up to Patmore Heath, but as I turned into the Causeway the lovely wind hit me and I chugged back to Ware for a Coffee then home.

Cat 4 led by Barry

Cat 3 run led by Nathan B
12 riders and myself set off from Ware for a loop ride taking in stunning countryside and plenty of hills.  We were accompanied by a nice South West wind in places which was fully appreciated by all.  I also think they approved my hills selection as there were plenty of comments whilst approaching and riding them.  We topped the ride off with a cafe stop at Vanstones just outside Codicote to keep our energy levels up.  Overall a good ride with plenty of banter & laughter and no mechanical breakdowns or punctures. Hoorah!