I echo Marky Mark and many others — what a great day! To Brighton, anyway, with John CZ'S Magnificent Seven 15mph-group. Even managed to get up Ditchling in one go (stopped for a breather last year). Slight foot-in-it
while recovering amid a big group at the top. Group including Andrew, Paul T, Sylv and other speedies arrived. Sylv was looked pretty pleased, having watched the men's mountain bike event. "We got Gold and Silver", he says. "Wow, good news!" say I. "Er, that's France, Roy"
Joined the pasta party at the gold 'n black restaurant in Regency Square. Marvelled at the feat of newby Claudine, making it on her shopping bike and still looking fresh, and at a certain Gentleman Jim. Another slight foot-in-it,
when I asked Jim how far he'd ridden down. "Oh, all the way". How dare I doubt the ability of ACC's most active Senior Citizen!
Like many, I guess, I found the drag after the Queen Victoria statue, up through Hove suburbs to Devil's Dyke a strain. But not as much as my bike. I'd been pleased, too soon, at how well the gears and transmission were working, following sterling work of a lever refit by Andrew earlier in the week. The Devil up there must have wanted to knock back my over-confidence. Suddenly I was getting an alarming chain slip every second rev. Up on top of the Dyke (great South Downs vistas), the suspected tight link showed up to be much worse. One side-plate had virtually parted company with the roller; serious repair work needed. To the rescue came the Fourth Emergency — Marky Mark, with his excellent Topeak multitool and expert care. Link pair removed, chain rejoined. Thanks a lot, Marky! I then cut back to Haywards Heath for the safety of the train. It's all experience, as they say, and I was happy with my 76 miles, four more than my age ...
Roy