The HARD CORE - they don't worry about a spot of rain - bring it on!! the wetter the better !!!
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As usual really enjoyed the ride. Went with Amy and Graham and the 17 mph-ers on the alternative CR over Farthing Downs. Had thought about doing an 18 but one look at the full-on nutters:
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making up the group convinced Sam and I that it would be more like a 20/21 mph so gracefully bottled out.
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A long, long, long, long, long delay for Graham's puncture didn't dampen spirits (God knows what he was doing) - we were even passed by the Almost J4F Group. No sooner had we got going again when Sam started getting a problem with his cleat (non-cyclist reading this might think it's painful but it isn't). He couldn't get it in. Worn flat !!! We stopped to try and sort it out but couldn't. Rest of the group waited patiently for us at Outwood whilst Graham fixed another puncture.
Get Santa to stick a pair of Conti 4 Seasons in your stocking, Graham.
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We left the group and headed for Salfords Station (thanks Amy, for sorting us out). Standing on the pedal Sam realised he could after all clip in (albeit with some difficulty). AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!
We decided to swap his left- standing-foot dodgy cleat with his right cleat. It worked a treat.
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Really felt good today on the bike. Cycled back along the CR route, then up over Rocky Lane Hill, and Fanny's Farm Hill, (flew up them!!) through Chipstead, up through Woodcote, by-passed Purley, (what a tail-wind - we were doing nearly 30 mph on the flat!!
) bought a pair of cleats at GBs and home to SE25 by 12.00. WOW!!
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67 kms in total, 729 metres of climb at 3% ave - max 12%. Nice one.
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