More about the second half of the title later.
A new face greeted my arrival at the Bus Stop. Dressed in total Eagle Road Club strip (never to be confused with Eagle Road Strip Club) was welcome visitor Glenn Grant. Yes. I know, I know - and I'm certain that he does too. I only learned of Glenn's surname when he sent an extremely nice thank you email via our website (We'll see just how pleased with us he remains after being abandoned in the middle of the Fens on the way back from Ely on an eighty six miler). The rest of the ride comprised Sharon, Mike, Peter H, Peter G, TomTom, Steve Mayes, Ann, Tiger Tony and me.
Destination Dedham, Constable Country, and the Essex Rose Café. A gentlemanly pace was maintained by those of the male gender on the front, but the overnight rain had brought with it the ideal ingredients for punctures. We had three on the way down. Well, to be properly accurate that ought to be two, and I'll explain. Peter G was the first victim, he found two flints buried in the tyre, removed them, inserted a 'new' tube (only one parch) and it promptly failed. Now as we all know, this is a monstrously unfair set of circumstances. There was evidence of stress. The patch was firmly stuck to the tube, but was leaking air from a pinhole in the middle of it. A faulty patch. How unlucky is that? As unlucky as a very unlucky thing, is how unlucky that is. We were on a tiny road that followed one of TomTom's near-offroad roads with added ford. The sky, that had looked so promising as we set off from Thurston, was now like dark grey blotting paper and about 20 feet above the ground (or so it seemed).
We continued for about another fifteen minutes, until the second (or third) puncture struck, and we discovered Mike's little secret.
He doesn't carry tubes - he carries a repair kit (or 'puncture outfit' as we used to call them. My father was MD of the family business 'Chemico' , which produced these outfits amongst other things. The firm was wound up in the late 90s, and avoided some tax by undertaking to cease trading. The link shows what I didn't realise but always suspected - someone kept the name). By the time the repair had been effected (I should point out that Mike fixed his faster than poor Peter G with his patch-failure issue, but on the other hand, the long term prospects were not all that they might be . . . read on) we were beginning to feel pessimistic about reaching Dedham by teatime, let alone mid morning - and it was spotting with rain. Richard 'TomTom' whispered in my ear that we could maybe turn around and go to Hollow Trees. Swift decision made and we set off on a retrace. TomTom took us from the middle of a maze of lanes onto a signposted 'B' road in what seemed like a trice , we were both impressed and relieved. Then we began to doubt the tactical wisdom of the move, would we arrive too early? Not get enough miles in? Should we have been warned about the speed of our return journey? Should we take a vote? Set up a sub-committee? Oh, the anxiety.All was calm as we sat and enjoyed our (less than usually) well earned refreshment administered by Chloe. We took our time and chatted long and deeply. Monday's Club Committee meeting (that I was unable to attend) was one topic that had a few miles in it. Glenn told us that he had sent the link to our website to the Eagle RC's Webmaster as an example of the perfect way to do it. Hmm don't know if that'll go down too well - but must tell Ian Pettitt.
Pleasant return with no fords or unmade roads. At the foot of the hill to Drinkstone from the Rat Valley we paused for
Mike to pump up his tyre - that patch; maybe not quite up to the job? Too much moisture about?So, home in good time, 49 miles on the computer, and in a relaxed state to set about some afternoon chores.
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