www.anothercyclingforum.com/index.php?topic=50168.0
Author: Anonymous
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Monday, 21 April 2008
Capel Dates 2008
Capel Dates for 2008:
May 4/5, 11, 25/26
June 8, 15, 21
July 6, 20
August 3, 16, 24/25
September 6/7, 21
October 5, 19
November 2, 23
Author: Lisa
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Sunday 20th April 2008
After a dull and misty start, the warmth of the sun and the masses of bluebells were sure signs that spring was in the air. There were but eight at Beare Green; three from Cheam, the rest by divers ways and means (Andy by train to Dorking - punctures (allegedly)). Leaving Bob behind, we (Keith, Andy, Ed, Geoff, Graham, Terry and Tony) headed through Capel and along Friday Street and then down past the landfill into Horsham. Christ's Hospital was soon in view and after initial confusion, the George And Dragon at Dragons Green was located - a target which had been in doubt at 11s. That we were there just after one was testament of a strong tailwind with speeds in the high teens common. Cooked meals only was the house rule so most went hungry after rejecting the alternative, "cheesy chips". A pint of watery Ribena cost 30p encouraging even youknowwho to dip into his pockets. After a quick sprint along the A272, we turned north through Southwater "new town" and into the centre of Horsham. The outward route was then followed back to Capel, but using Old Holbrook instead of the landfill climb. After a cakey interlude, we left Ed to fix a puncture at the church and went our various ways - 75+ miles for me.Capel Dates for 2008: May 4, 5, 11, 25, 26 June 8, 15, 21 July 6, 20 August 3, 16, 24, 25 September 6, 7, 21 October 5, 19 November 2, 23.
Author: Anonymous
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Friday Night Ride To The Coast (April 2008)
A wee bit late - for details click here
Author: Anonymous
Monday, 14 April 2008
Sunday 13th April 2008
April showers and punctures sums up a bad day in the saddle...... .....one to be forgotten.
Six of us: Ed, Jake, Keith, Ian, Tony and myself at KB. The route: Hampton, Lower Feltham, East Bedfont, Stanwell and the cycle route under junc 14 of the M25 just before Poyle where Keith punctured. We were quickly on our way through a thunderous shower toward Colnbrook then due north to Black Park for 11's.
A busy place next to a large lake popular with families (mug of coffee - £1).
We left Bob and Ian but picked up Pete M, riding through delightful Fulmer and the lane parallel with the M40 to just south of Beaconsfield where we headed south to the Blackwood Arms at Littleworth Common.
Around 20 members of the Chiltern section of the VCC were enjoying a drink as we arrived and personally I found these ancient bicycles fascinating to look at. No two bikes were the same and included the names Humber, Sunbeam and Rudge.
The oldest bike, from 1896 was a special collapsible Rudge with cotter pins at the frame joints......... no brazed lug work here. The thought being it could be dismantled when travelling on the train.
Leaving the pub, we rode through Burnham, Dorney, Eton, Windsor to the open air tea bar at Runnymede.
The patches of blue sky were quickly being filled with rain clouds so inevitably the remainder of the ride was wet.
When I punctured at Chertsey, I sent the others on and happily replaced the tube and set off...... ........alone (a BIG mistake).
Moments later in Shepperton I punctured again so without a replacement tube proceeded to patch the hole.... ......in drizzle.
On nearing Esher the tyre deflated again and I was by now cold,wet and experincing the early stages of the "bonk".
I decided to pump up the tyre and see how far I could get.
Riding through Claygate I felt terrible and became extremely weak barely able to turn the pedals. I stopped to pump up the tyre but had no energy to carry out this simple task. Looking in my saddlebag I found a packet of crisps which I devoured. I considered getting the train home but that seemed a long way (via Clapham Junc).
When I got to Hook - finding the tyre had deflated again - I continued to ride on the rim anxious to get home and end this ordeal.
Still suffering from low blood sugar, I bought a Mars bar and sat down to contemplate what to do next.
I decided to walk home but the tube by now was out of the tyre and was preventing the wheel from turning.
I began to feel the Mars bar working and immediately started to mend the puncture in bright sunshine.
When I got to Ewell I couldn't believe that I had punctured again and stopped at a garage to buy a pizza for supper.
With half a mile to go, I gingerly rode on the pavement, on the rim and arrived home totally exhausted.
I retired to bed at 8:30pm.
Rarely have I felt so helpless, inadequate and fed up whilst on my bike.
Computer numbers:
Distance - 70 miles dead
Ave Speed - 12.6mph
Punctures - 4
This morning I have mended two punctures and can confirm all four were in different places caused by foreign objects or pinching tube when replacing.
The photo is of happier times, last April actually.
More on old bikes:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html
Sports History: Cycling
Six of us: Ed, Jake, Keith, Ian, Tony and myself at KB. The route: Hampton, Lower Feltham, East Bedfont, Stanwell and the cycle route under junc 14 of the M25 just before Poyle where Keith punctured. We were quickly on our way through a thunderous shower toward Colnbrook then due north to Black Park for 11's.
A busy place next to a large lake popular with families (mug of coffee - £1).
We left Bob and Ian but picked up Pete M, riding through delightful Fulmer and the lane parallel with the M40 to just south of Beaconsfield where we headed south to the Blackwood Arms at Littleworth Common.
Around 20 members of the Chiltern section of the VCC were enjoying a drink as we arrived and personally I found these ancient bicycles fascinating to look at. No two bikes were the same and included the names Humber, Sunbeam and Rudge.
The oldest bike, from 1896 was a special collapsible Rudge with cotter pins at the frame joints......... no brazed lug work here. The thought being it could be dismantled when travelling on the train.
Leaving the pub, we rode through Burnham, Dorney, Eton, Windsor to the open air tea bar at Runnymede.
The patches of blue sky were quickly being filled with rain clouds so inevitably the remainder of the ride was wet.
When I punctured at Chertsey, I sent the others on and happily replaced the tube and set off...... ........alone (a BIG mistake).
Moments later in Shepperton I punctured again so without a replacement tube proceeded to patch the hole.... ......in drizzle.
On nearing Esher the tyre deflated again and I was by now cold,wet and experincing the early stages of the "bonk".
I decided to pump up the tyre and see how far I could get.
Riding through Claygate I felt terrible and became extremely weak barely able to turn the pedals. I stopped to pump up the tyre but had no energy to carry out this simple task. Looking in my saddlebag I found a packet of crisps which I devoured. I considered getting the train home but that seemed a long way (via Clapham Junc).
When I got to Hook - finding the tyre had deflated again - I continued to ride on the rim anxious to get home and end this ordeal.
Still suffering from low blood sugar, I bought a Mars bar and sat down to contemplate what to do next.
I decided to walk home but the tube by now was out of the tyre and was preventing the wheel from turning.
I began to feel the Mars bar working and immediately started to mend the puncture in bright sunshine.
When I got to Ewell I couldn't believe that I had punctured again and stopped at a garage to buy a pizza for supper.
With half a mile to go, I gingerly rode on the pavement, on the rim and arrived home totally exhausted.
I retired to bed at 8:30pm.
Rarely have I felt so helpless, inadequate and fed up whilst on my bike.
Computer numbers:
Distance - 70 miles dead
Ave Speed - 12.6mph
Punctures - 4
This morning I have mended two punctures and can confirm all four were in different places caused by foreign objects or pinching tube when replacing.
The photo is of happier times, last April actually.
More on old bikes:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html
Sports History: Cycling
Author: Tartan Socks(long)
1 Comment:
Lisa 14 April 2008 at 16:16 BST
Tough luck Andy you will certainly take a prominant position when the Puncture Chart is set up soon!!
From Pete M
Monday, 7 April 2008
Sunday 6th April 2008
Martin from the West Kent CTC writes"Sorry not to see anybody from Cheam and Morden or Downlanders today".
He sent me some photos to prove he made 11's.
16/03/08
Steve's ride to Betchworth via Shere was a damp squib to say the least.
Simon and Jake chickened out at 11's which left SG,Keith,Ian and myself for the 2 hour? ride in awful conditions to the Dolphin.
A rare departure from the norm led me inside where an open fire and soup managed to lift my spirits..........until the ascent of Pebblecombe hill!!
Author: Tartan Socks(long)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)