Great forecast so the decision to wear shorts and short sleve single top was easy. Have been riding 16s recently so had decided to goboutvwith the 17s as have been feeling strong after some hill hiking last week.
Had forgotton that had picked up a front punture whilst riding a few laps of Kenley aerodrome (atrocious surface)
so having rediscovered the punture at 9am I replaced the tube and was away by 9.05 am.
Huge turn out at CSS. Must have been in the region of 90 or even more ACC members.
Although there was a race on later the training group still had a good turn out.
The 17s, my intended group has huge I don't know how many exactly but there seemed to be over 25, possibly more. I didn't get a good look as before I could join I noticed the front was flat once more. The seventeens were gone
JC waited for me to change the tube. I removed a few more shards of glass I found and then left with the 16s. The group started of steadily if not slow. I knew this would not last as I had noticed a few within the group who would push the pace to 17 if not 18.
I didn't have time to find out. As I approached Land rovers on the A23 the front went again. Everyone rode past and JC said "see ya later". Left to do the repair on my own I removed the tyre and went over it very carefully removing all the tiny fragments I could find fitted a new tube and was on my way.
I had solo ride to Charlwood pushing as hard as I could knowing that I wouldn't catch the group but would get a good workout.
After a bacon Butty and hot chocolate decided to go to watch the race and not chance BH with my punture record.
Outside there were probably two groups going to BH and a large group going to the race with others going back via the normal route.
Front flat again so this time Monty and Scunthorpe Steve (SS) assisted whilst changed the tube again. SS and I checked the tyre whilst the group going to the race waited. We were just putting the wheel back on after filling it to 110 with the track pump when bang. Not finding any snipers taking pot shots at ACCers we found he tube had a shrapnel size wound.
Monty sent the group on and SS went over the tyre mm by mm removing whatever he could even with his teeth. He put one of his tubes in and off we went us three.
We had a quick blast to the race on Bletchingley. SS in front followed by Monty then me. Can't tell you what speeds we achieved as my Garmin had run out of charge before I'd left the house in the morning. But it was heads down hi cadence which stretched me a bit. They slowed up sufficiently at times so I could get back on Monty's wheel and shouted loudly for every hole. I think we were all surprised I didn't punture again.
SS took us on a fairly car free route to Bletchingly. Pretty impressive considering he lives in Scunthorpe.
We saw Mr Green sweeping a corner of the circuit in I believe Outwood. He suggested we take the fast down hill section of the circuit which leaves the A25 Cooper's hill i think, but in reverse. When we hit the first climb SS couldn't resist and stamped on the peddles Monty matched him he then accelerated some more Monty responded again. I don't know what happened after that because they were then out of sight.
Saw Jon CC on the corner of the A25 with his wife taking up their marshalling posts as Sam had decided he'd rather watch Palace lose. I had a long chat before making my way to HQ. Watched some if the race from various points around the circuit. The reports of which you can read elsewhere on the site.
By the time I got home via White lane hill I had four puntured tubes. Which means I must have had six puntures as I binned one and patched one. You lose count after so many.
So next week following Jon CC's and previously Andrew's and George's recommendations will be turning up on Conti 4 seasons.