Date: Tuesday 26th July 2011
Route: WP, Horrabridge, Grenofen Bridge, up Julian's Loop, Grenofen, Pew Tor, HQ.
Riders: Sam, Gidon, Paddy, Keith, James, Adrian & Colin
Depart WP: 19:40
Arrive Sam's: 19:42
Depart Sam's: 19:45
Arrive HQ: 22:00
Distance: 14.2 miles (or 18 if you live in Horrabridge)
Weather: Peeeerfect

The Night of a Thousand Punctures

Slight exaggeration, but the contest for most punctures in one ride ended in a technical win for Sam with two and a half punctures to Adrian's two. I threw in a late attempt for the title with a shredded tyre! However, I can still recommend my Specialized Armadillo tyres, they are definitely puncture resistant, because even with part of the side wall hanging off, I was still able to complete the ride without missing out on the visit to HQ and still had a fully inflated tyre to get me home an hour later!

And the evening had started so promisingly, we blasted down our favourite track to Horrabridge without losing anyone! Over the down towards the top of the rocky drop off to Grenofen Bridge where Sam decided to show his pupils how to put air in a tyre without even getting off his bike. All was going very well until he removed the pump and valve in one swift manoeuvre!!" Don't do as I do, do as I say" comes to mind!

Sam 1 v 0 Adrian

So as Sam removed his front wheel a cry came from Adrian of "flat tyre"!

Sam 1 v 1 Adrian

In pretty short time we were off and as has happened before, we went no more than fifty yards when again came the cry from Adrian of "flat tyre", this time the rear. At this point James came out with his favourite joke that you've probably all heard at least once before, "I've got a spare tube, out here it's yours for £25"!! Colin made a much better offer, a free loan.

Sam 1 v 2 Adrian

The clock was ticking now so the pace up front was brisk as we headed towards Double Waters. Stopped briefly to regroup at the bottom of Julian's loop then off up the track for at least fifty yards before Sam scored the equaliser!

Sam 2 v 2 Adrian

James's £25 per tube was now up to £35, supply and demand rearing it's ugly head again, but Paddy stepped in with a free old repaired tube, priceless.

Onwards to Grenofen and Plasterdown and without stopping straight up Pew Tor. Time to take in the view with the last light of the day and replan the route after all the enforced stops, but as I glanced down at my rear tyre my decision was very simple. Part of the outer wall had come adrift, but the second skin was keeping the trye inflated. Anyway, I was heading for home. We dropped down Pew Tor then took the road. At the Huckworhty turn off I had to make a decision, carry on straight and be home in five minutes, or head for HQ and further away from home? Before the GOWCC I'm sure I would have gone home, but I am now mentally tougher and it really was a simple decision.

It was at Huckworthy that Sam scored the technical winner, I later discovered. He stopped on the bridge with tyre deflating due to a faulty valve. But after a bit of fiddling the valve popped back into place and he soon appeared at HQ.

Full time: Sam 2½ v 2 Adrian

So plenty of time to relax at HQ after a shorter ride than we'd hoped, but when conditions are this good, it's just great to be out.

Reporter: Keith