Not a very appealing morning kept a lot of riders tucked up in front of the fire (Elliott) and a few running late defected to the dark side (thanks Miles, for the names and addresses). So it fell to Jane, Graham, Pete and myself to keep the faith and face the wet.
First stop was just before the M25 as Graham snapped his chain. Quick link added, Jane pointed out that we missed threading the chain through the front derailleur, struggle to un-do said ‘quick link’, re-thread through front derailleur re-join chain errr! Ok now what, Jane our new chief mechanic says, “threading the right way through the jockey wheels might help!”
duuuuhhh! Un-do said ‘quick link’ for the second time and re-thread chain, re-join chain, hooray it works. Good job the rain had stopped by now.
On to Fishers Green and the climb, very few people or dogs about but plenty of wildlife. Over the hill and back up to the top to find Pete with the first puncture of the day and nowhere near a seat. Tube changed on to the Fish and Eels for an early lunch as the rain gets heavier. Cheesy grins, over Pete goes to swap his leaky inner tube as the rest of us enjoyed a cup of coffee.
A distraught roadie arrives at the table and asks if we have a patch as he has a puncture and his glue has gone off, it’s a long walk back to Stoke Newington. He is sorted out as is Pete’s leak so off we go back over the hill and a meander through the Lea Valley Park to the new Olympic white water centre where Pete adds some more air and Jane says “my tyre seems to be getting soft” so third puncture of the day gets sorted and it’s back to Ponders End.
On to the SH for a debrief with the Rads, the deserters and a ‘mess’ of Mexican chilli nachos.
Another great day out despite the rain and a great evening of laughs.
Dave
MODS 
