A puncture to Dave Vine's rear tyre, immediately followed by a puncture to the front, was rotten luck as we neared Ditton Park, near Eton. Repeated inflations failed to keep the pressure up, and Dave choose to cut-short his day, unfortunately skipping lunch at the Waterman's Arms for the train home. Hope there was not too much walking Dave!
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| Puncture no. 1 |
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| St Mary's Peacocks. |
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| Eton Bridge - photo by Simon! |
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| Tyre maintenance class - Eton. Having let Dave Jackson's group pass us as we viewed the Peacocks and the historic interior of St.Marys church, (thanks for arranging this Neil) we eventually arrived at the Waterman's near 1pm, glad for respite from the chilly Barra. Then it was blown back to Hampton Court for tea where John B joined Steve D and myself - the remaining two of my group. Thanks to Neil W. and Dave Jackson for sub-leading. Dave Jackson's group consisted of Keith, Neil C, Sue C, John B, Jennie and myself. Ged’s route was a mixture of urban and country, quite technical in its nature, particularly in the morning, but the other members of the group were very kind and understanding whenever I took a wrong turn. Even Neil C remarked on a couple of occasions that we were going along roads and paths that he didn’t know. Still, although we were battling against an at times strong head wind we managed to find our way into Eton and so to the pub in good time. After lunch, we were soon getting warm by the climb  up Crimp Hill, however this being the only climb of the day, after that it was faster, easier riding following often used roads to the finish in Hampton Court. Thanks to Jennie for back marking, Neil C for doing virtually all the corner marking and everyone in the group for making it a great day and of course to Ged for devising such an interesting ride.
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1 comment:
Many thanks Ged, an ingenious and well planned ride. It's always nice to discover new routes, especially in an area I thought I already knew.
After a puncture-free year, two simultaneously (in fact 3 in 3 days) came as a bit of a shock. I have just spent a happy 2 hours bike cleaning and repairing the front and rear punctures. Front one was in the side of the inner tube, which is a bit of a mystery. Neither tyres showed any sign of holes made by sharp objects, but I replaced the rear tyre anyway as it had enjoyed a long and previously trouble-free life.
Here's hoping for a puncture-free Xmas for all.
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