Club Run Reports Sunday 21st August 2016

Cat 3 run led by Nathan B
12 riders and myself set off from Ware for a loop ride taking in stunning countryside and plenty of hills.  We were accompanied by a nice South West wind in places which was fully appreciated by all.  I also think they approved my hills selection as there were plenty of comments whilst approaching and riding them.  We topped the ride off with a cafe stop at Vanstones just outside Codicote to keep our energy levels up.  Overall a good ride with plenty of banter & laughter and no mechanical breakdowns or punctures. Hoorah!

Cat 6 run led by Danny H
With the weather unable to make it's mind up, it was only a half dozen of hardcore
wheelers at the start. Just before our departure we were joined by two more making
it a garden gate. Off down the frog and toad we rolled heading for the giraffe that
is Emily's at Whitwell. After only a few miles we were down to 7. Our Italian
stallion Franco deciding that after having his shoulder put back in place only a
week ago he'd better have at least another weeks recovery.  Judging by the bruises
he had no one could blame him. Two more decided to head home with out stopping  so
five of us sat down for Rosie Lee and Charlie Drake. We were joined now by 3 more
wheelers. One who had not only missed the start time but had got the group mixed up
as well and two more who had got the wrong start location and time. We headed out of
Whitwell via the hill of Bendish lane. It was here that Lee Mason's Friday afternoon
built Italian machine started to give him problems. ( I keep telling him " you can't
beat German engineering,  vorsprung durch technik" ).   An annoying rubbing noise
that took us about 20 mins to sort out was eventually fixed only after we'd been
overtaken by  a fella who must have been about 80 on a folding bike going up Bendish
hill. Oh the humiliation!!!
With a tail wind all the way home we stepped  up the pace and by forming a tight
line to the left of the road as we passed the Robin Hood and little John managed to
block Martin from taking a detour. Apart from a bee in my bonnet on the way home and
a convoy of Aston Martin's overtaking us we arrived back to base camp without
further mishap. As per usual, great company, great ride.