Central London CTC blog

Stevenage ‘Start of Summertime’ Audax 25th March 2007

As usual, National Rail had conspired to cause maximum confusion for the Stevenage Audax - first there were trains from Finsbury Park, but not King’s X, then there were none. As it turned out, they were all working. As a result of this, Nick & Denise gave up on the 200, leaving Robert and Simon as our intrepid pair. I had entered the 200, but, on waking at 6 to a grey drizzle, decided I couldn’t face it and slid under the covers for my stolen hour, still arriving early for the 100. Roger Cline was already sat in the cafe, having been prepared to ride out. Soon others joined us - in the end, 11 were on the 100.

Roger (Fretwell) and Kay set off before the rest of us, no doubt speeding round. Roger Cline as usual stayed with us only briefly, not to be seen for the rest of the day.

The rest of us in typical Central London style - sometimes together, more often not, but waiting to regroup at the sniff of refreshment (sorry, ‘carb-loading’). The outbound was into a stiff headwind, but the weather had cheered. We waited at the first control for Mike, who had punctured within 10k of the start, then pressed on to Thaxted. The cafe was refusing to serve any more cyclists, so we set off back. Within minutes, a loud explosion from John’s rear required another stop. We decided to have a lunch stop at Henham, unfortunately too late for the pub to manage sandwiches for us - not too late for their regulars, just didn’t want our money. It seemed somewhat chill as we got back on the road, but our pace soon meant we were warm, my legs whirring maniacally downhill without the wind to slow me. Into Great Hornmead for the last control, a good old-fashioned DA spread. Last few ups and downs through Little Green ride territory, re-group at Aston and wend our way through the Stevenage cycleways back to the start. As we sat down, Simon joined us fresh from his 200, all suitably tired and happy.