Club Run Reports

Last ride of the year and we found out that JohnF doesn't sink - or float.  Much to our amusement he negotiated a lake on his bike.  With the cold water up around his nethers the rest of us decided that we weren't going to save him, and we all turned around and retraced our route leaving our leader to his own devices.  Fortunately we soon all met up again although more by accident than design.  Most of us were complaining about cold feet and hands.  Nobody asked John!  We also found out that JohnM has a remarkable similarity to a yoyo and don't rely on Karl to keep the group together!  It i

After Saturday's torrential rain most feared the worst for Sunday morning.  Fortunately we were wrong, and a clear cool day dawned.  There was plenty of surface water and the engine in John's Banana boat conked out in the middle of one of the many new lakes.  However his bike did not sink (too much) and when he fished himself out of the gigantic puddle all that was then required was to turn the machine over and let the water out.  With over twenty riders out there were several punctures, mostly on the easy pacer which led to their late return.

At the last minute(ish) Bruno volunteered to take Danny's place as the easyrider leader and expertly marshalled his forces for an incident-free trip to Buntingford.  John led out to Clavering Lakes and the meds only suffered three punctures between them but also had an interesting meeting with a herd of stampeding deer.  Fortunately the riders had stopped in anticipation that the herd would run across the road without thinking about the Highway Code!  With the fast\med riders included, there were over 25 out on a cool and sunny winter's morning.  It was the torrential rains of the previous

Was it windy, or what?  Still, this did not stop over twenty Herts Wheelers from taking to the roads over the three tours.  The easies struggled into the wind on the outward bound, which made it seem more arduous than it should have been.  A different return meant that the advertised 35 miler was actually nearer 40.  James proved that he hadn't learned from his previous puncture experience - still not carrying a spare inner tube, whilst Danny H managed to hit the deck whilst virtually stationary.  Memo to Les Hoodettes - he does bounce, but probably needs some TLC.  The meds had a largely i

Despite some cretin sending out the weekly email showing a 09:30 start (ok, a correction to 09:15 was sent later), eleven riders did turn up for a very cold early morning tour of the lanes.  Unfortunately some of those lanes were pretty icy, and therefore interesting to ride on!  Fortunately there were no accidents or mishaps and all got back safely.

A very wet and windy Saturday night obviously put off many from turning up.  However over twenty did check the forecast and found that it was actually correct.  There was no rain.  The sun shone.  Yet it was still very windy and there was a lot of surface water.  This meant that the outward-bound journeys were quite quick ie wind assisted.  By the time all returned, the headwind had lost much of its strength.  

A cool, crisp, bright morning saw most riders plump for the fast\medium departure - probably the first time that the numbers on this exceeded the slower tours.  This was partly due to some indecision regarding the Pace Judging Comp.  However a total of about twentyfive in total were out and most got around without incident!

Again there was a massed start in Hertford as over 30 riders jostled for position in the peloton.  Right from the outset there was a breakaway as 13 made a move and headed Whitwellwards in order to complete the freewheeling competition and then throw themselves at the tea and cake in Emily's.  The remainder took in a more sedate trip to the goodies at the Coffee Shop in Buntingford.

A new points season kicks off and it's surprising what a little shower does to a rider's resolve.  OK- so maybe it was a few hours worth of torrentiality.  Eight riders turned up at Hertford, and three at Sawbridgeworth.  It probably took them all about a minute to realise that perhaps those that had stayed away had made a fair and reasoned choice, but once you're soaked you can't get any wetter.  So all the groups made ways to their various destinations albeit trying to avoid the many new lakes and rivers that were now littering the roads.

Despite the attraction of the Emit, there were still plenty out today.  Five took on the Hinxworth journey - would have been six except the banana disappeared.  Twelve took the easier option to Bishops Stortford.  Despite the weather forecasts the day turned out to be a good riding day.

Punctures, punctures and more punctures.  Sometimes two at a time.  Fortunately most of the riders got back before midnight!  Needless to say the lanes were still very wet from the previous night's leaking clouds.  It was chilly but not excessively cold, but got colder for those who were problem-free yet hanging around waiting for those with difficulties.  A good ride out for the fifteen to Writtle, but oh those punctures!  Meanwhile the easies created an even larger "lorry" as they had seventeen plus the one lonely fastie.  By the time the meds came back through Hatfield Heath the easies w

At 09:30 it was still a bit chilly, but quickly warmed up in the sun - especially for the hill climbers.  No talk of the cold there - as they were all just struggling to breathe at the finish.  However the various morning rides all took place, with a hotchpotch of punctures.  Again there was a lot of riders out (25-30) and it will be interesting to see the attendance figures come winter.

What with the Restricted Gear race, and the various clubrides on offer it seems there were in excess of 30 riders out today.  For a chilly, windless and sometime sunny morning this in itself was an excellent result.

After the roadrace seven wheelers took off for the Golf Club at Wandon End.

According to the weather forecast, it would start ok and then progressively worsen.  And so it came to pass.  The outward bound journey was fine but upon returning to the fresh air after the refreshment break.......!  It was cold and very wet - ie foul.  Needless to say that there were more punctures than usual although with the numbers out today this probably was not a surprise.

Another huge turnout as people make the most of the good weather.  Eleven easies took off to Buntingford and seventeen meds followed Steve to Royston.  This did not leave many for the faster ride - in fact there was only one taker!

On a bright, warm and sunny morning about 30 riders\organisers\spectators gathered at Letty Green for the final club TT of the series.  This came as some surprise to one or two of the more established racers as they had never seen so many HWCC riders out together.  Afterwards many went on either of the two club rides to Hitchin or Whitwell.  Back in Ware, Danny also led out a fair sized group, and three riders took on the fast\med.

Last week it was one short of thirty.  This week it wasn't.  Eight set out on the fast\med, thirteen on the medium (and one more joined later) and eight on the easy.  Another four set out in the afternoon - actually it only counts as three as one had been out in the morning.  You don't get double points:- you know who you are!  A warm, fine day only punctuated by the slightest of showers.  

One short of thirty turned up at Hertford in order to divide into the three groups.  Seven went careering of Roystonwards and another twelve made a more benign journey to Whitwell.  The remaining ten soon became nine as one disappeared off the front in order to catch up with the zippees.  There was only one major problem for those heading for Shenley - an uncharted lake across the road which required some cross country antics in order to find a detour.  And some hills!

Despite it being billed as an 6:45 start, there were still a few who turned up at 7.  So two groups made the ride, both going in roughly the same direction, with about ten riders five minutes ahead of the following seven.  On a good sunny evening both groups made the most of the remaining light and had good rides.