Diomeda Exulans - the Wandering Albatross
My most grateful thanks to Graham for his sterling embodiment of the Good Samaritan by assisting with puncture no. one and guiding me to the Cricketers at Winkworth Row in time for lunch, then offering a spare innertube on the return ride after puncture no. two.
Warmest appreciation then to the two ministering angels, Irene and Pam, who escorted me out of the wilderness to more familiar regions, from which I could navigate my way home. Could I get home safely, warm and dry, from Chertsey Bridge? Why not?
Well, nearly. A stop on the way approaching Leatherhead for some essential rehydration - a wonderful cocktail from the One Stop Shop of 'Lucozade Sport with Caffeine Boost' - highly recommended. Then a joust with the rush-hour traffic joining the M25 before onwards and upwards to Walton, where a stop for the Times and latest news of Armageddon - now just a gentle freewheel back home. Time 6.30 pm and in time for the 7 o'clock news. Less than a mile to go, then bang! Al-Qaeda had dynamited the road. A crater swallowed me up, to the astonishment of three following drivers. Bike and rider blasted into the darkness for a miraculous soft landing on a muddy grass verge, placed there for just that purpose by a caring Council.
Comforted by consoling words from compassionate drivers, I then walked with my crippled steed the remaining three quarters of a mile to blink into the light of home. Graham's unused innertube alas no help.
Signed: The Albatross
3 comments:
Jeff,how I sympathise with you, you are having a very bad time with punctures. You must claim damages from the council over the pothole! Have you also reported it on the CTC "Fill that Hole" Blog tool, give it a try and see how long it takes council to rectify.
I still have those tyre pices to get to you, sounds like you need a whole tyre. If you plan to go on C&M ride Sunday I will try and join you, maybe we can go together, safety in numbers but it may snow?? Pop around to day if you like her indoors is out this morning.
Mike
Mike, Thank you for your sympathy. Unfortunately, I need more than a tyre - I need another new wheel. That makes three in 8 days - hence the albatros logo! Council contacted and solicitor on the case. Will drop in when I can
Jeff
P.S. that should of course be "albatross"!
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