With the lousy weather affecting everyone's lives, most riders turned up for the easy pacer leaving only four to do the medium from Thaxted. The fourteen who rode the easy endured an interesting journey with plenty of rest breaks. Chris punctured, and then repunctured so this time he decided he would fix it and return home. Then it was Jason's turn.
Didn't know we had so many members\prospectives! With about 20 of us out we toured the lanes like a large lorry blindly following its satnav although with JF leading there was no chance of getting lost. There were no punctures or mechanicals and a brisk ride was had by all on a warm summer evening. Not often had a chance to write that this year!
Over 20 out, with most on the medium paced ride. The four on the easy pacer had a fairly trouble-free ride as for the most part was the medium. VB snapped his chain, and then the group managed to split as they were incorrectly advised by a rider from another club! However all came together at Hare St.
In his second "25" Tony clocked up a PB of 1:06:08 on the tricky Guilden Morden circuit. This will drop dramatically in better conditions on a faster course.
In the HWCC 30 on a good morning on the A1, Phil recorded an impressive 1:10:52 and Tony did an excellent 1:15:12 in his first ever attempt at 30. Merv carried on his good form with a 1:18:14 whilst Peter crawled in sometime the next day - 1:19:06.
And such foul weather! Six started out on the slowie from Ware and were eventually met by the two who had attempted the medium but called it off part-way. It wasn't cold but it did get extremely wet, so the stop at Bps Stortford was very welcome.
After the rigours of the Club TT 30 on the A1, Alex led four from Tempsford to Grafham Water. A twentyfive mile out, and fifteen mile return, was enjoyed at a good pace in blazing hot weather.
Barry, fresh from his French exploits and his victory in the club TT the previous night, led a large group around the lanes. The evening was enlivened by MarkT's constant battle with his wheels, spokes and tyres.
France must have been good for Barry as he returned to a victory. There was some close racing between the non-TT specialists.
It was a warm evening with a north-east cross-wind.
Merv was chuffed. He established an East Anglian VTTA Group Age Record for 79 year olds. His time of 2.13.04 was nearly 10 minutes quicker than last Sunday, and only 2 minutes slower than his age record at 77 of 2.11.13.
Despite many being on tour in France nine riders did make their way to Buntingford this morning. Some took the faster pace return whilst others remained at the easy pace.
A not too disastrous day. Weather reasonable, course reasonable, Merv reasonable, Peter rubbish. As he is about to celebrate his 79th birthday Merv was timed at 2:22:21. Peter had no excuses for 2:16:10.
