Seeing as I must have been the first one home from the Brighton ride, perhaps I should be the first to write a review.
Set off with the 16 group, nice easy pace with the sun starting to warm things up, looking forward to the legendary fish and chips at the Regency.
Unfortunately, I only got as far as Merstham! We were just about to pass through one of those width restriction things, when a car approached from the opposite direction. I think both us and the driver were unsure of who had priority, so the whole group slowed down to avoid a head on crash. As we slowed down, one of our group touched my back wheel and must have started to go down, their bike (handlebars I think) then got entangled in my back wheel.
Neither of us seemed to be injured (hope you are OK by the way), but my bike did not look very well at all. Several spokes were missing from the back wheel, and to my horror, my right seatstay was snapped in half!
Thanks to all those who helped patch up the bike, but it was beyond help. I eventually trudged back to Merstham station and got the train home.
The bike was only 3 weeks old and right now I just can't say how gutted I am about it, the frame at least is a write off.
This now leaves me with the wonderful task of trying to claim on my insurance for the damage. I have had a look at the claim form and it looks like it would greatly assist things if I had a few witnesses, so if you saw the incident and you don't mind me giving your details to my insurance company, then please PM me or grab me at the next club run. Also, if you were the young lady (Virginia perhaps??) who 'made contact' with the back of my bike, please could you get in touch with me (or if anyone else knows how to contact her) as I will need to put your details on my claim form.
Anyway, I now want to see lots of positive write ups of the ride. Who was the first over Ditchling? Did anyone set the speed trap camera off on the run down the other side? Was the fish and chips as good as ever?