When I expressed my concern about keeping up with the group, Dave Gill assured me that he intended to lead a 'steady' ride. With a brisk wind on our backs, maintaing an average of 16/17 mph presented no problems.
John Houghton's that the wind would drop for the return trip proved wothless. Although the pace slowed, I did get droppped but, in the steady tradition, the group were patiently waiting at the next junction. Dave took us back on a winding route that avoided any long drag into the wind. The road back into Smallfield is the one I always dread; this was avoided by climbing up to Outwood Windmill and returning to the Drome from the east.
No flats, no untoward incidents, not much to report, just another excellent ride to a fun tea stop. Thank you, Dave.
Mike Ormerod