Handy Andy

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Riding to work this morning, go a(nother!!) puncture - but on my commuting bike this time - going up Chipstead Valley.

A pick up van stopped and a voice shouted "Are you alright - I've got a track pump in the gargae if you want?"

With frozen fingers and much else very cold, I asked him where he was going - to Chipstead" was the reply, "why?"

I said I was going to Kingswood, "what to Legal & General?" he replied. "Yep" - "OK, hop in and I'll run you up there"

I chucked my bike in the back as quick as a flash and hopped into his warm cab. On the way he mentioned that he had a Colnago Extreme Plus and that he and about 10 mates do a bit of riding, but are not members of a club - he did the Wessex 100, and the TDF route (but reckoned the organisation of it was a bit poor - to paraphrase his actual words). He had also ridden in France and was amazed by the motorist's attitude towards cyclists over there!!

He had seen us going out on Sat's and wouldn't mind joining us. I assured him he and his mates would be most welcome.

Then we arrived at the office.

So if a big guy turns up on a Colnago and he's called Andy, give him a warm welcome (and thanks from me)

[adrian]

[quote]Great story Paul. There are good people out there

[Tony]

There's something odd about Chipstead Valley Road. It's one of two places locally where punctures occur alarmingly frequently. The other of course, is....the road up to Ranmore Common, via the hairpin (i.e. the club hillclimb route).

I don't know what it is about those roads. Must be something to do with space aliens, I guess? Did you take a good look at the guys who picked you up, Paul? Are you sure they were human?

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Amazing, I complained to the Council that I was getting too many punctures and they are now resurfacing it