Club Runs 22nd March 2015

Club Runs 22nd March 2015

22 Mar 15

Cat 6 ride led by Mike
A stubborn chill persisted all the ride from Ware to Bunters and back, via Barwick Ford & Great Munden out and Furneaux Pelham, Braughing & Barwick Ford on the return. At the stop the group of 16 split between the two cafes, depending on their preference for solid British fare and sophisticated continental patisserie. There were no incidents, mechanicals nor sightings of rheas. The sun finally appeared when riders were home, showered and settled in front of the TV watching repeats of Hi De Hi and Ever Decreasing Circles. 16 riders

Cat 5 ride led by John F
A select band of 5 left Ware via Fanhams Hall road overtaking the Cat 6 juggernaut as we passed Noah's Ark Cottage and on to Wareside, where a short stop was required to sort out a mudguard malfunction - with an ever useful cable tie. Onward through Widford to Perry Green where we picked up Sarah W who had ridden straight from home. Our route continued via Green Tye, Allen's Green, Sawbridgeworth, Sheering, Matching Tye, Matching Green to the Village Tea Room Hatfield Heath. Return along Rye's Lane, Hatfield Forest, Hallingbury, Spellbrook, Much Hadham, Wareside back to Ware. 40 miles, no other mechanicals or punctures.

Cat 3 ride led by Peter
Was expecting about four riders but got twelve.  This led to a hasty "on the hoof" reappraisal of possible destination points as I needed somewhere much larger for the cakey experience.  I had always intended to make St Margs my first decision point so when we got there it was either up the hill, or off towards Much Hadham.  The former shaded it as I realised that Shenley would probably be the best option.
Past the sewage works and into the back doubles of Hoddesdon where we found the roads closed off due to a race.  Onto Broxbourne then via White Stubbs Lane to Brooky Park and then Shenley.  At South Mymms some of those who probably should have been on the med\fast (or training ride) disappeared off the front and took the direct route whilst the rest of us followed an alternative option.  Got really cold on the return so came back via Kentish Lane, Essendon to Hertford) in order to "warm up".