Club Run Reports

Category 4 ride led by Lisa Ridoutt

The first run out of 2023 saw seven Wheelers starting out from Ware for a run up to Royston. Little did we know that problematic Garmins, the number 13 and torrential rain would be the dominant forces of the day.

The lead rider’s Garmin was being difficult and kept going to sleep. In order to test out the concentration levels of the rest of the group she purposely sailed past the first major left turn; they all passed the test with flying colours, politely shouting out her assumed mistake. 

Category 4/6 ride led by Lisa Ridoutt

It was day 2 of the ‘unofficial rides’ and twelve Wheelers turned up for this one, six of us having also ridden the previous day.

I kicked off proceedings by arriving with a puncture, which I quickly repaired (Enzo may have helped a little) and we tested out at least four of the group’s pumps for good measure.

Category 4/6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Boxing Day ride led by Chris Boulton, ride report by Tony Dos Santos

This ride was advertised as a “leg loosener” after the Christmas frivolities and indulgence. 

Category 6 ride led by Pete Kelleway

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Three for cat 3 for the third time in a row. Not always the same three, so there is potential for four riders one day!

Category 4 ride led by Alex Powell

Category 6 ride led by Ian Bailey

Ten hardy Wheelers woke far too early to a cool and foggy Sunday morning, ready for an expedition to the mountainous area way beyond the border with Essex, south-east of Epping. We braved typical Essex motorists' tolerance to cyclists as we left Roydon behind, climbing to Epping Upland before descending and climbing again into the alps of Thornwood Common and Coopersale.  

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Category 6 ride led by Carolyn Kelleway

Well I thought I might be riding solo today. The forecast was poor with rain for a few hours. But to my delight along came eleven other hardy riders, all dressed for the weather including Chris wearing Claire’s clothes (he had forgotten his apparently!). In fact Claire was able to kit out herself, Chris and a very soggy Davina. Well done, Claire. We welcomed a new rider, Sally to the group and set off promptly heading to High Roding hoping the rain would ease, but it didn’t. 

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Cat 6 becomes Air Force One!

Category 6 ride led by Danny Hood

Eleven of your finest gathered at start HQ, ready to push themselves above and beyond the humanly possible. 'Who dares wins' would sum up this lot to perfection. 

Despite throwing in a few curveballs on the route, try as I could, I couldn't lose these highly tuned athletes. Their grit and determination to carry on made me proud to be British.... A feeling that's been sadly missing of late (we're going to hell in a hand cart), but that might just be me.

Category 6 ride led by Alex Powell

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

The only way we can get to Great Canfield on a category 6 ride is to start from Much Hadham. So, I decided to go from there at 9. Normally from this start point there’s a nominal turn out, but not today as twelve riders in total turned up. Really good, mostly because everyone knows we were going to the Polo Club. 

We set off bang on nine. I decided to go up my favourite Much Hadham hill, in spite which there was not a single moan; that’s because the 6’s are well ard’! 

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Category 6 ride led by Mike East

The main category 6 contingent were cycling from Clapham Common to Brighton, heading directly thereafter to the Cliff Bathing Beach, in order to divest themselves of their lycra, and strut on those pebbles au naturel, tackle out.

Meanwhile seven others, including some who had taken their parrots off their shoulders, took on a ride to Vanstones, Codicote. Routine all round, until Hertford at the end, when the ride leader hit a kerb and was unseated. No serious damage done.

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Category 4 ride led by Lisa Ridoutt

With it being a warm, sunny bank holiday weekend category 4 decided to take a round trip of 100 miles to Maldon.

A lot of pre-planning went into this ride, so all credit and thanks must go to Pete Kelleway and Elio for all their efforts, despite not being able to join us. We left from Ware with Hanif joining us for the first 20 miles, and then we were down to 9.

Our first stop was at Blackmore Tea Rooms where Elio met us for a coffee and a TDS photo shoot.

Category 6 ride led by Mike East

The core of category six had, apparently, upped sticks and decided to test their mettle in a sportive in East Anglia. “ Normal for Norfolk” - I am sure they fitted in very well. This left a vacuum, filled by a rump of riders, six in total, to pootle along a simple route to Bishops Stortford and back. Mocha Cafe did its usual efficient and tasty business. Good company, no incidents, no mechanicals. 30 miles, and back in Ware for 12.30.

Category 6 ride led by Tony Dos Santos

Sun screen on - check. This was going to be a hot hot ride. Temperatures were going to be estimated at 40°c (no exaggeration there!), so on the Friday I made the decision to bring forward the ride time to half past eight. 

A few of us met at Ware at 8.10 and then, who should turn up with her fully serviced bike, yes, Amanda, aka Chainy! Chainy wasn’t there, as she had child duty. No more slipping chain, and the bike looked amazing. Nick Curtis sure does a great job.