Due to the low turnout of only 3 members, we decided to huddle together with Gareth's Cat 3 group of 5 to keep warm on a very cold day and went with them to Thremhall Park, instead of Hatfield Heath.
Category 6 led by Mike East
Minus 3 degrees at 9.30 and not much warmer thereafter. Beyond Codicote the decision was made to give the Chilterns peak at Wandon End a miss and seek solace, warmth and sustenance in the base camp at Emily's, Whitwell. A pacy ride back got us to Hertford before 1 pm. Four riders, 30 miles.
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.
This ECEing lark works quite well for me - don't have to get up so early to drive all the way to the start. This time it was just a short car journey to Sawbridgeworth and at 07:30 I set off from there to do the fortytwo kms to Witham. Arrived at 09:30. Soon was en route to Stansted Airport via a jumble sale at Leaden Roding. The return into the wind was a bit of a drag (150kms) and then I retraced the route back to Stansted (204kms). Then the last 10kms to Sawbo. By then it had gone very cold so was pleased that the car was there. Was fuelled by the thought by finishing the ride I w
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.
Been doing a bit of weather watching of late and saw that Wednesday would be mainly fine but that it would deteriorate towards a colder spell by the end of the week. I needed to get in a second 200 this month leaving me with just December to go. So off I toddled to Lavenham (85kms). This part was quick and the conditions were all to my advantage. Neither hot nor wet, with a following breeze my average was 16mph. This changed as I turned south for Little Waltham via Sudbury. Now it was more of a contest. In the sheltered parts it wasn't too bad, just the open areas that caused most gr
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.
An Extended Calendar Event is a mechanism whereby it's possible to enter a Calendar Event, in this case the Essex 3 R's, but by riding to\from the Arrivee it can be counted as a longer ride, and I needed another 200 to complete the RRTY set. So I left home as 06:10 and nipped into Hertford to get a timed till receipt. Then it was off to Witham. By 07:00 it was fairly light, but cold. I had a 70km trip to make but soon realised that I wouldn't have to fight a headwind and was therefore able to relax in the knowledge that I would get there in time. Arrived at Witham at 09:35 for a 10:00
The day started off with a fairly dense fog, and never improved. Got to Fairlands and found out that my start-time was 10.25. With nearly 240 riders taking part, smaller groups started at 5 minute intervals from 10.00 until it was our turn. The first part to Hare St is usually quick and then the pace usually drops. Not this time. It got quicker. Nathan & Tony, who are normally fast riders, were surprised to find me with them. Got to Saffron Walden in double-quick time and then set out on the hilly return to Therfield Village Hall for tea & cakes. At this point we were averag
