Club Run Reports

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.

Again, about 25 riders split over the three rides.  On a hot day, five made their way to Much Hadham to meet up with JohnF for a trip to Saffron Walden.  The rest met in Hertford where seven took off for a whizz around the Royston course.  The remaining dozen easies headed in a southwest direction for a trip to Shenley thereby riding on roads that they were unaccustomed to travelling on by bike, and suffering only one puncture for their pains.

About a dozen took to the road for this Weds offering.

Mark led a ride for the first time and as usual it's not easy shepherding 15 people about but he got all back in good time, especially as the evenings are getting much shorter.  It was an invigorating journey for all and the newcomers enjoyed it as much as the regulars.

Again over 20 out over the three rides.  With about a dozen on the medium, nine on the easy and three more doing the medium\fast, all managed to get caught in the torrential downpour that arrived just before midday.  The easy pacers dealt with this setback the best by remaining in the cafe, re-entering the outside world when the worst had passed over.  The mediums also suffered a couple of punctures, but apart from that there were no major problems.

A dozen turned out for a tour of the wilds.  Due to a good southerly wind, the route from Ware to Furneaux Pelham via Stanstead Abbotts was accomplished in good speed and the group was back at Ware by 9 pm, a distance of 26 miles.

Sixteen met in Hertford and split into two equal groups in order to do the medium\fast and the easy pacer.  The faster group did a nonstop tour whilst the easiers took a more sedate pace and smelled the roses.  A stop at Emily's proved to be a welcome break and all returned safely.  Meanwhile the four on the Ely tour did not have any problems until about 2 miles from the end when the heavens opened.  Probably saved having a shower later.

Eighteen set off from Ware, soon to be joined by the speeding RichardH.  After heading out via Fanhams Hall the group took in Much Hadham and Puckeridge before blasting back down the old A10.

Again decent weather.  Again an excellent turnout.  Again a warm welcome to all those out on their first ride with the club.  After the Old Skool TT fourteen riders took off for a slightly roundabout route to Wandon End.  Away from the race Danny led about ten on the easy pacer to Buntingford.  Neither group encountered any major difficulties and all benefitted from the good rides and good company.