Out of the two weather forecasts, light rain or
sunny periods, the one which said light rain won but seven riders
turned up for the ride to the Hub. It was misty and raining but
that did not dampen our spirits.
The seven of us set off in search of the Hub knowing
that our reward would be a bacon butty and a nice cup of coffee.
The route was to take us down the coast to the Hub, through the Fish Quay and up Borough Bank. There, as the
stand in captain, I have to report an incident. One of the members
decided that staying rubber side down was far too conventional and came to a halt and
failed to remove their feet from both clips and thought lying on their
side in a puddle of water was better than being upright.
This not being the first time this type incident has
happened, the individual managed to tuck in and no damage
to bike or person was reported. After a short rest, onward to the Hub. One member needed to peel off at the Royal Quays so the
rest of us pushed on to the Hub where we arrived wet but eager and in need of refreshment. Coffee and a bacon butty hit the spot, there was
coverage of a cycle race being shown on some Internet channel, I have to
say the weather looked better there (where ever that was) than here.
Everyone now refreshed and ready to put our wet
clothes back on and head for home, one member had a slow puncture in their
back tyre which they put some air in to allow them
to make it home. The group made it to Swan Hunters on
the return leg when a member stopped again to put air into their
rear tyre. At this point another member of the group pointed out
that the front tyre was also flat. What were we to do? One machine down and both tyres with punctures. With the assistance of
other members of the group the bike was turned upside down and the repair was
attacked with gusto worthy of a formula one team during a pit
stop.
(Stand in Captain's note : I have to offer mention in despatches to the two members of the team who formed the pit crew
along with the member to facilitate the repair as it was the stand in
Captain's steed which was in the pit).
Once we were back up and running, the group
continued to forge their way home but the rain had stopped at this
point. It was noted that one member was heard to say something about gathering punctures or something and another about how
many men does it take to repair a puncture! Apparently there are photos
of this that may come to the surface at some time in the future.
The
group now nearing home, the stand in Captain peeled off at Backworth
as home port was close. It’s rumoured that one of the crew (may
I call them the crew as the stand in Captain?) was heard to say
that the Captain was leaving early and not seeing all the
crew home.
To this I say - that’s life. My home port was closer and my steed was in
need of dry dock - full repairs to both tyres.
The
rest of the crew being trusty souls carried on to their home
ports. I have to report that the stand in Captain's steed's tyres,
after dry dock repair, seem to be holding and are water tight. I will offer further reports should the situation change. I also have to report the loss of one inner tube as the size
of the hole made by the glass was too large for dry dock repairs to overcome. This tube has now gone to the great inner tube store in the sky.
This
is the Stand in Captain signing off, the sun is going below the yard arm,
so it’s time to go to the Deli for a pint.
Nice
ride - had a good time and found out how special the group is when one of its
numbers is in trouble. Note to self - carry more than one inner tube in
future!
