Mods Sat 26 Feb 11

A small contingent facing the wet this week was made up of Jane, Graham, Martin, Pete and myself. Standing before the off to answer the texts from the no shows (you know who you are (Elliott)

Shortage of walkers and dogs made a swift ride to Fishers Green before the climb over Holyfield Hill and on to Dobbs Weir for an early cheesy grin lunch in the vain hope the rain may dissipate for the afternoon.

The return trip was halted by a puncture for Jane just before Holyfield Hill and a bit of a faff as Jane’s pump decided to only suck and not blow (insert your own line here).

Puncture sorted and the rain a little lighter we go over the hill and loop through Lea Valley Park. A stop to look at the white water centre and there are a couple of South African girl cyclists with a puncture being assisted by two polish lads and a Polish girl.

We offered to help by passing comments and were intrigued by the amazing gift the Polish lads had for bicycle repairs. Using the valve of an inner tube to lever off the tyre, and snapping off the valve, while the SA girl holds out tyre levers! Then trying to insert new inner tube into rim on the side the tyre is still seated.

We would have helped more but it was such fun to watch and I must mention the Polish girl was wearing a very fetching posh looking thong that also kept our attention. They also had a carrier bag, which contained two half gallon bottles of Lambrini and some cans of beer not to mention the cans the boys had in their back pockets. I asked the girl where the party was and was told “no party” I guess it was just a normal Saturday afternoon wet picnic.

So new inner tube eventually fitted and lad starts to pump up the tyre and manages to bend the valve then unscrews the valve and lets out all the air and starts again! At last he gets some air in and they say their goodbyes and head off for their non-party in the middle of nowhere in the rain.

We head back to Ponders End with no more excitement and then to the SH for the debrief with the Rads.

In the pub Jeroen tells us that a google search for the words Cheesy Grin Lunch gives us the second result on the page, Fame at Last via a village somewhere in the country.

Dave