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With fifteen of us in France it would have been easy to assume that there would not be many out on the club runs.  Wrong.  Over twentyfive took to the roads over the three rides.

Fifteen Wheelers rode "Le Carré de Vallées" randonnées based on Ardres near Calais on 12th May. See the photo compilation

On Sunday 19th May Nick C took part in the Ashwell CC road race. This was 4½ laps of a 56 mile course in Bedfordshire, just off the A1. Nick finished 37th out of 60 starters which, to date, is his worst result. However, a few weeks ago he raced on the same circuit and got dropped. This time he stayed near the back of the pack and finished with plenty of energy left!
Full race report >>

Brian victorious in the scratch race - his first win in Wheelers' colours - as he and Tony continue to enjoy themselves.

On the 16th May Nick C rode the 2nd race of the Dunton summer circuit series and came 15th. This result has moved him into 11th place on the leader board out of 41 riders.
Nick's next race in the series is on Thursday 30th May. He says anyone who would like to have a go at road racing should come along. " It's easy going and very enjoyable. Starts at 19.00hrs at the Ford test track at Dunton (A127) ". 

Brian and Tony took part in another night's racing at the Welwyn track both gaining track league points.

Tony Marriott rode the Maldon 25 mile TT on the E21 course near the seaside.
The event incorporated the inter-services championship so there were lots of boys and girls from Army, Navy and Air Force. This was a twisty rolling course with a lot of wind both cross and head. Tony was aiming for 1:05 and did 1:05:05 - so job done!
Winner was Sean Childs in 55:09. Tony finished 41st out of 82 finishers.

Nick Cramer enjoyed himself in this circuit race...

Tony Marriott makes his debut on the track.

The largest of the groups met at the new rendezvous at Glaxo whilst a slightly smaller group met in Hertford.  The Hertford easies had a fairly uneventful (apart from one mechanical) journey to Jack's and were pleased to be likened to the Olympic Cycling Team by a five year old!

Four Wheelers on the same course on the same day.  Whatever next?  All came back with different stories.  Phil had the earliest start and was quite happy until he turned around at the halfway stage for the return - and saw the storm that had been chasing him down the road.  He eventually crossed the line after 24:50.  Merv had been caught in said storm on his way to the start but was able to race in good, but very wet conditions to 26:31.  Peter & RichardC got to the start where they both got the best of the weather with Richard excelling at 23:07 and Peter trundling at 25:05.

Tony wins again! Excellent times from some others: Brian H, Karl W, Rikki H & Spencer S all secured PB's.

Many got out today, seduced by the thought of the warm, dry weather.  And for a while, all was good.  Then, sadly, the wind got stronger and stronger (depending how many miles you were trying to do) and even worse, it was a headwind on the way back.  At least that how it was for the meds.  With some trying (and failing) to ride to the start at Thaxted it was always about riding a 100+ mile day.  For many it was not to be.  For one unlucky rider, her bike's tyres did not match her ambition and she got as far as Elsenham before making her way home.  Another only intended to ride to Thaxted an

Brian Evans has begun his track season with a return to something like his form of a few years back ...

It was a day for dodging the showers.  However if the rain didn't get you, the wind did.  For much of the time it was blowing a near gale, a lot of it from the side.  Phil (59:10) coped the best with Peter (1:03:51) just managing to edge out the amazing (nearly 80 year old) Merv (1:07:40).  However their combined efforts saw them coming second fastest team of three on standard.

The weather is improving day by day and the large numbers out are at last beginning to get the benefit of their winter training.  Ian led a group of fifteen to Buntingford utilising a mixture of our normal routes and a few variations on the theme to create a most enjoyable morning out.  Mike led a group of a dozen to Emily's, whilst the fasties did what the fasties do.  For many it was the first occasion this year when it was possible to wear shorts and not worry about whether or not the weather would close in.

Three Wheelers; Brian Evans, Tony Marriott and Spencer Stratford entered this event on a new course. This covered part of the North Road Hardriders course but without any easy bits. Basically it was non-stop up and down and included the climb up Carbonne Hill into Newgate Street and Darnicle Hill up towards Hammond Street. Brian reports ...

A good turn out once again, with some fast times. Tony leads the way with Richard and Spencer in hot pursuit.

Over forty out on the three rides.  A strong southerly wind made the returns difficult although it was great to feel the warmth of the sun at last.  Despite the lack of necessity for many thermal layers of clothing, the meds encountered a frosty reception at the cafe stop.  Still, can't let someone else's bad-hair day ruin a good morning's ride.  A few punctures, but nothing unmanageable.

Tony Marriott rode this for the second year running. Conditions were opposite to last year with a strong head wind out and some tail on way home. He managed 1:03:43, some 5 minutes quicker than last year, so a course PB!
In the strong wind (~18 mph) he struggled to keep above 21 mph on way out but took only around 26 minutes for 12.5 miles on the return! He finished 15th. Winner was Tim Davies in 57:22.
You can view the stats of Tony's ride on Strava .