Perfect cycling conditions saw a 10 rider peloton setting off from The Alpine. In no time at all we were in the narrow country lanes of Trowley Bottom and into the old town of Markyate. Then in two twitches of a Meercat’s whisker we were basking in the sun on the outside decking area of Jake’s Cafe in Woodside Animal Farm, Aley Green for an early pit stop. Jake scuttled around and single handedly and unaided whipped up a snack-attack for the whole pack in no time at all.

On the return leg the climbs were taken mainly “gruppo compacto”... well almost, anyway.

    It was on an innocuous little descent down Olleberry Lane into Belsize that the attack occurred. “The Jimster” lying second in the line, took the full venom of the striped stinger which scored a perfect ten on Jim’s arm. “The Jimster” manfully bit his bottom lip and rasped... “I’ll be allright”.  So we set off and left him.  That’s not true, we took him with us!

The pleasant cruise back, was enlivened only by Andy Brown’s attackette towards Croxley Green, taking two riders with him. The newly laid smooth “black silk” tarmac was an invitation for an injection of speed for a couple of miles. Once these three has contested the Croxley Green sign we then re-grouped for a steady ride back through Moor Park Golf Club bypassing Watford, to the freshly discovered apres-ride coffee stop at “Cafe” in Hatch End. Hot apple strugel and coffee ended a perfect day.