Club Run Reports

Cat 3 run led by Barry P
Port Hill was the warm up for ten wheelers on a ride out to Baldock Garden Centre via Dane End, Ardeley, Rushden, Wallington and Returning via Weston, Halls Green, Walkern and Watton. A sunny day with no breakdowns meant we could all get home in time for the Tour of Flanders and watch some "real pain" (no cakes!).
Cat 6 run led by Mike E

Cat 3/5 run led by Barry P
Only four riders of which only one raced left Cole green for a shortened ride through the sunny lanes of Herts, without a stop as nowhere was open . Within 5miles of home the threatened rain and gales caught up with us and gave us a free jet wash -  40miles.  

Cat 5 run led by Sarah W
A welcome return for Cathy to the Cat 5 run!  Six of us for Clavering Lakes and after mixing it with the Cat 6ers out through Fanhams we split off for Much Hadham and all points north via Rickling.  A very pleasant ride in a nice bit of sunshine, which even seemed to cheer up the café staff.  The wildlife highlight of the day was spotting a pure white hart in a herd of deer (photographic evidence available from Patrick).  Thanks to all for a lovely ride with pleasant company.
Cat 6 run led by Danny H

Cat 6 run led by Mike E
Nine meandered to and from the golf centre at Wandon End near Luton. The group welcomed Cathy P, back after an arm injury, and John P, at the cafe who joined us after his ride. No incidents in bright but nippy weather. 36 miles.

Cat 5 - PW
Needing to return earlyish, I piggy-backed onto the Cat 6 express but changed tracks at Wheathampstead.  A quick break at Charlie's (or whatever they are called now) and then a fast return via Ayot Green.

Cat 3 run led by Peter B

Cat 3 run led by Mark T
Small numbers but great enjoyment! An excellent route up through Hadham and the Pelhams moving on to lesser-known territory through Dudham End. Mark knows the landlord of the Bull at Lower Langley and had arranged for them to open early to receive us. All took full advantage of the hospitality especially the Essex Huffers (Google it!). Mark then arranged for us to climb up the Great Chishill in order to settle our stomachs. This was followed by a fast, wind-assisted ride back to Ware.
Cat 6 run led by Mike E

Cat 3 run led by Lee A

Cat 3 run led by Nathan B

Cat 3 run led by Graham K
Nine riders met at the bus-stop in Much Hadham for the ride to the Blue Egg in Great Bardfield. Tim and Angela were on the tandem and John was in the velomobile, so there was interesting machinery on display.

Cat 6 run led by Mike E
Some familiar faces merged from their straw filled boxes, ate their first lettuce for a few months and headed to Ware to join in with their non-hibernating colleagues. A winding route to Puckeridge was marred only by a single puncture. The peleton of 23 split into two unequally sized groups, arriving within 10 minutes of each other at Something Lovely. All were successfully crowbarred in for the excellent fare of Kerry and her team. On the return route a Mr and Mrs double deflation delayed, some while the main group reached Ware without incident.

Cat 6 run led by Bob B
I had never heard the word “redacted” until the Americans started using it in connection with removing names or information from reports etc after 9/11. I shall be using it a couple of times in this ride report!
 

Cat 3 ride led by Peter B
Barry saves the day!

Combined Cat 3, 5, 6 ride led by Mike E

Cat 3/5 run led by Graham K and Sarah W
Sarah's version

Cat 3 ride led by Graham K
We knew it would be wet and it was. It began with drizzle and wind and ended with downpour and wind. On the way north the wind was a friend but after Chishill our relationship was distinctly chilly and Nathan did a great job in pulling us all along DOWN the hill to Wendens Ambo in the face of the gale. The return from Saffron Walden brought us a similar blend of wind and rain. Nathan was the hero once again as he returned up the hill towards SW to recover the top of Claire's bottle cage tool-box.

Cat 6 run led by Bob B

Cat 3 run led by Peter B

Cat 3 run led by Barry P
Fifteen set off to Royston in search of nutrition on a figure of eight route to try and avoid the worst of the gales.t This worked  more or less but a detour was imposed by the leader on the return leg when more became less (and the rain started !) 48 miles

Combined Cat 5 & 6 run led by Bob B
As both Cat 5 and Cat 6 were starting at Hertford and as a total of only 9 riders were brave (? foolish) enough to tackle the threatened high winds and rain, it was decided to combine the rides.
 

Cat 6 run led by Mike E
A gentle ride to Mocca cafe in Bishop's Stortford was marred only by a puncture, and the ride leader temporarily losing both his bearings and marbles at Spellbrook, resulting in much mirth all round. Next time the leader will bring not only a map, but also a compass and sextant.  Eighteen on the ride over 33 miles.
Cat 5 run led by Sarah W
Only one rider braved the cold to cycle out to MH to join Sarah. A route adjustment was made to head for  Clavering Lakes which was fairly quiet. Sunny conditions made for a very pleasant ride.

Cat 3 run led by Graham K
It was a blustery day! Enough to propel us to at high speed across the heights between Buckland and Barkway. Enough to bring us nearly to a halt between Berden and Stocking Pelham on the way back. Ian P's crash bore witness to the high speed bit when he misjudged a bend; new longs and probably some new skin needed. Between the high and low speed bits the café in Chishill popped up and provided us with soup and bread plus cake and a drink - all for about a fiver. Enjoyed by all I think.  Thanks to Peter B for looking after our rear end.