Sunday, 1 May 2011

Foray to Tore....

What a stunning morning - very warm, very little wind. As I jumped on my bike this morning to go meet Bob and Keith, I had rarely felt more prepared for a cycle.

I had the right clothing on, the right supplies with me - I was well up for it...

Then "Pop" - my tyre exploded! - just a mile away from meeting Bob & Keith. First I thought it was 'just' a puncture and the spare tube I had with me would rescue me. But the reality was that when the tube popped, it took out the tyre too....ripped a hole in it.

When I put the new tube in and blew it up, it bulged and exposed the rip more and more with each pump action - clearly my day was over before it had really begun


I let Bob and Keith go on their way without me as clearly I would have to cycle the 7 miles back to Inverness very gingerly. Thankfully I made it in one piece and managed to pick up a couple of new tyres. One to replace this one, another as a spare incase this kind of nonsense happens again!

Still, it was a nice day in the garden with the kids, but I did miss my cycle and I'm already figuring in my head when I can next free up the time to get a cycle in. The cycle to and from work Tuesday to Friday is an absolute minimum.

Perhaps understandably I feel like I need to regain confidence in my bike, but that will only come with more saddle time.

I was delighted to hear that Bob and Keith completed a 90 mile cycle today and I appreciate that they've saved the 'big 100' for when we're all out together one day. Clearly they could have broken the 100 today but opted not to. Nice gesture lads! :)

John

No comments:

Post a Comment