End of the Month Extended Ride becomes Puncture Day! 24/10/2025

It was a fine day in early autumn so plenty of Easy Riders assembled in Weavers Park. Both the Long and Medium rides pedalled off at 0930. The medium ride split into two as usual, with Peter Sk leading the first group, and Ann leading the second half.

We rode via the peaceful Peg Millar’s Lane down to Hatfield Peverel then took Sportsman’s Lane. Here Gavin had a puncture and speedily repaired it using his tyre inflation tool. It’s a small box with a mechanical pump that automatically reinflates tyres. He said it’s good for all sorts of tyres – on one occasion he assisted the driver of a Mercedes by reflating a car tyre to get her on her way again. Apparently, it took 15 minutes to reinflate, but the driver was impressed and grateful in equal measure, as she was now on her way again. This might be a good tool to add to a cyclist's Christmas present list!

Andy O and I had a conversation about his recent campervan trip around various Hebridean islands. Andy obviously enjoyed driving on Harris and Lewis and it made me think of 3 books I read when I cycle-toured the area 20 years ago. Finlay J MacDonald wrote about his Hebridean childhood in the 1930s, in Crowdie and Cream, Croatal & White, and The Corncrake & the Lysander. Well worth a read if you like social history of small islands in the 20th century.

We all met up at Pear Tree Pantry and our staggered arrival time meant the café was not overwhelmed. Peter’s group set off back considerably before Ann’s group, and we all pedalled via Woodham Walter, North Hill, Crix and Terling on our return. However, on reaching the concrete track at Fairstead, we discovered someone else had had a mechanical and the Easy Riders were doing their usual team effort to effect a slightly more complicated repair. Well done team! We dispersed to our various homes from there.

I later discovered that some new members were not aware that our last Wednesday of the month is an extended ride. Just to make it clear, the medium ride, normally 23-25 miles, goes up to a 30–35-mile ride, and the long ride, normally 25-30 miles, increased to c40 miles. Perhaps we should suggest it is a good idea to take extra snacks and drinks on these rides to eat on the way round. I know I’ve gratefully accepted snacks when I’ve run out of energy. So, health & safety tip for the day is to offer, and accept, snacks & drinks when you need them. And maybe, thinking about how exhausted I was when I got home, I should take my own advice!

35 miles, 9.2mph

Cathy MacTaggart