Club run reports - 14th May

Category 3 ride led by Peter Walton

It was my first venture into leading a cat 3 and I was feeling a bit nervous. The main advantage of leading is the chance to direct the pace, especially as I was still a bit under the weather from the previous day's race.
We started from Hertford and went out via Datchworth, Walkern, Gravely, Hitchin, Ickleford and then shot up the A600 to Henlow and Southill.  Other cycle groups were at the cafe, but we had a table reserved and we soon made ourselves comfortable.
The return was via Langford, Hinxworth, Ashwell and back. Each of the six riders were reasonably evenly matched and I didn't hear any complaints after we went up the A600 at 25-30mph. Getting that out of our systems enabled us to return at a comfortable pace for all.
Good weather, great company!

Category 6 ride led by Danny Hood

A fine weather forecast for today's ride made for a healthy turn out. In fact it was a baker's dozen that left Allenburys heading for Ongar via the Lavers and Moreton. After riding the route a couple of weeks ago I wasn't expecting one of the lanes to have about three miles of chippings on it. The inevitable happened, and one of our group got the dreaded P word. Paul, with a little help from Ferrari pit crew member Franco, had the problem sorted in good speed and we were back on our way. Two of the posse then decided they were going to make a quick blast back to base; forsaking the victuals in favour of the last game at the Lane for one of them (COYS), and some brownie points for the other. Unfortunately another of the party didn't realize this and followed them off down the A414. I was under the impression (due to that new thing called FAKE NEWS) that he had also decided to split early, so led the remaining members to the cafe stop. After realizing that he was now heading the wrong way, our missing member slung a Uie and rang for directions. A regroup at the cafe meant that now 11 of us faced the return leg. Peter B and John H had decided to have a nice easy cat 6 ride for a change. How wrong can you be! Hills, more hills and a head wind meant everyone? was feeling the burn by the time we got back to base. As usual, some great company meant I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Oh and farewell WHL ?