A brief smattering of hail was the only negative on this category 6 ride to Vanstone’s Orchard Cafe, where both food and service have improved significantly. Its popularity is evidenced by three other cycling clubs making it their destination while we were there. There was nothing more of note, other than to welcome back Marcia and to welcome Russell on his first ride with us. Thirty four miles by eight riders. Well ridden, the Vanstone Cowboys.
Once again the sun came out to join us on our Sunday ride and who could blame him. He knows what a charming bunch of dapper gents and sophisticated ladies make up the cat sixers. Today these cool cats were fourteen in number, at least until one of us decided that she'd like to find out what it's like to ride with the ruffians for a change and jumped ship. Being bad can be good sometimes!
You can't beat a bit of the old currant bun for bringing out the numbers. The start was certainly busy with Wheelers ready to make up for the lousy weather of late.
The dirty dozen, a group specially chosen for this mission from the seediest parts of town and the toughest, roughest of prison populations, set off. Boldly going where no man had gone before. Well, to Theydon Bois!
The ride leader bailed after 4 miles - too icy.
The remaining two, Kate and Martin, carried on like Scott and Oates, although with more success. They earned kudos, two points, and some warming food. Not sure about the last achievement though - see below. A George Cross might be in the offing too.
Martin reports:
We got to Codicote, came straight back via Welwyn and Digswell. Couple of icy spots negotiated better than Gemma Collins. Riding on ice!!
Five Wheelers presented themselves for an appetiser ride prior to the new year lunch (or was it a belated Christmas lunch?). Fortunately the overnight rain and sleet had been blown away, although we were still left with the wind which made the outward leg through Wareside, Much Hadham and Standon a bit of a slog. Our turn to the south in Puckeridge gave us a nice chuff wind to assist us home through Latchford, Barwick and Wareside back to Ware, appetites duly sharpened after lumpy 21 miles.
After a quick inspection of the car and driveway at 07.30, both seemed wet but ice free, so after the normal cycling breakfast I donned the kit and off I went just after 9.00! Some parked cars along the way seemed covered in ice and others didn’t, but the roads appeared OK, although caution was definitely the way forward. The five riders set off from Ware in the four hour sunshine window which I organised the previous day, heading for Flint Cross near Royston.
What kind of ride would it be today?
“Cry “Havoc!”, and let slip the dogs of war” (Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar).
Or, “I don’t think that’s an awfully good idea, sir” (Sergeant Wilson in Dad’s Army).
A blood soaked, violent adventure or merely a morning of mildly amusing buffoonery?
