Plenty of Punctures 13/11/2024

It was a mild, damp day with plenty of Easy Riders departing on Ian’s Long Ride, Ann’s medium and Steve’s short ride.

Health & safety tip for the day is about ensuring your bike is fit to ride. For those among us (like me!) who are not competent to maintain their own bike, I suggest you think about giving your bike a winter service by a professional. They will make sure your bike is fit for winter riding.

I took my bike to Dave Doer at Blake End (except that actually he provided a free collection and delivery service to and from my home address!). The main service requirements on my bike were to adjust the brakes and clean the drive train, and on its return, my bike was so sparklingly clean that one of our riders thought I had a new bike!!! Really fast turnround and great customer service. Also, I’d make the point that we want our local bike shops and bike mechanics to remain in operation. This means we need to spend money to keep them going during their off-season – from November to January. So, whoever is your preferred bike shop, please give them some trade over the next couple of months.

Ann split our group into two, and we pedalled out via Millennium Way and down Long Green to Cressing. Unfortunately, Millennium Way had plenty of broken glass and Ann’s bike went flat on Long Green, the puncture being jointly repaired by her and Kevin. My half of the group pedalled forward thorough Stisted, planning to stick to the high ground through to Plaistow Green, but I missed the turn, and we rode up and down a couple of extra hills via Greenstead Green. With my heavy touring bike, I sailed down every hill ahead of the boys, and they soared past me on every uphill!

The Fox at the Stables café benefitted from our group staggering our arrival in two groups of 7, although I always forget they prefer cash payment. Luckily, I had some cash in my bar bag. We returned to Braintree in two groups, heading down through Gosfield, across to Beazley End and back down Bovingdon Road. Unfortunately, Ann punctured again on her way through Gosfield and ended up calling home to be collected. There’s always a time to call it a day and hitch a ride home. Good call Ann!

23 miles, average 10mph. And I forgot to take any photos, so if anyone else took some, please upload them.

Cathy MacTaggart