Club run reports - 5th October

Category 3 ride led by Graham Knight

Just two of us, both fresh from featuring in the club hill-climb. Sadly, Brian's speed up Robins Nest Hill was about 25% faster than mine, so poor Brian was in for a lot of dawdling while I did my best to keep up. Neither of us was helped by the  strong westerly which was sometimes enough to turn a gentle climb into a challenge.

That is the only excuse I have for my discovering, whilst grinding up the hill between Cromer and Walkern, teeth gritted and head down, that there was a stationary car four feet ahead of me. Even at my dismal rate of progress there was no time to stop. I rode slap bang into the back of the car and fell off. Somehow my left leg became trapped between bars and top tube which meant I had to be hoisted to my feet by the car's owner. This man had stopped to assist another motorist whose car had broken down, so hardly deserved my assault from the rear. He was solicitous in the extreme though, concerned for my health rather than for his car. Another couple who had witnessed the incident were equally kind. This was more that I deserved and heightened my embarrassment - I almost wished someone had shouted angrily about idiot cyclists not looking where they were going. The car was inspected and although my front tyre had left a slight mark there seemed to be no serious damage. I left my phone number; the driver was happy with that and I proceeded, sheepishly, on my way.

After that things went pretty smoothly. We continued our long loop to Wheathampstead via Knebworth and Codicote where the Brewhouse's cake was up to its normal high standard. Return to Ware was on a southerly route through Smallford and Welham Green and down Robins Nest Hill to the B158.