Sunday to Saffron Walden

I went out on the club ride today - setting of at 8:50 to get to Much Hadham for a 9:30 start. It was really tough at first and I was really struggling, until I realised my back brake was rubbing against the wheel and slowing me right down. Once that had been sorted, it was like riding a different bike. Still I missed the start and set off to follow the group heading north. After about 30 mins I caught up with everyone near Stocking Pelham. Luckily I caught them there as just after that the route turned off the direct road to Saffron Walden to begin a northerly loop. It was quite cold and there was a northerly headwind, and I cooled down a bit at the slightly slower pace of the group. We did pass Audley End which I had never seen before and it looks impressive. One day we may visit there or go to a concert in the grounds. Then we arrived in Saffron Walden and the Cafe Mocha where I had a ciabatta bacon and egg sandwich and a large capuccino. Heading back it got a bit drizzly and it was quite hard work over the top between Ugley and Ardley, but I got back to Much Hadham by 2:15 - no punctures by anyone, and headed home with Steve, Barry and Paul, slowing down a bit through tiredness, getting home by 3 pm.