Sue and I have signed up to ride the 140km AUK Grimpeur out of Bala next
weekend. We decided last week that we would do a 100km ride yesterday as
part of our preparation for the big event.
We looked out of the window on Sunday morning and realised that it was a
bit wet. The weather didn't improve as we got our gear together for the
ride, and as we set off we realised we were riding into rain of the very
wetting kind.
It rained steadily and as we approached the level crossing at Ufton
Nervet we discovered that the road was closed and the crossing bariers
were down. We considered the possibility that we would need to make a
detour and both agreed that we ought to go straight home again as we
couldn't face much more riding in the rain.
Up ahead the train had passed through the crossing and after a short
while a railway worker opened up the barriers. We decided to stick with
our plan and press on across the A4.
We headed off to Bradfield and through Compton to East Ilsley, the rain
falling steadily all the time. I became aware of a rubbing sound, but
when I stopped to check I couldn't see anything catching on either of
the wheels. I shrugged and dismissed it.
In search of shelter and hot food we went into the Crown and Horns where
we had a very nice lunch. While we were there the rain gradually
stopped, so fortified by lunch we set off for a pleasant afternoon's ride.
We crossed under the A34 and skirted Chieveley on the way to Hermitage,
stopping briefly while Sue mended a puncture. We then rode through Cold
Ash to Thatcham. As we reached the railway station the level crossing
was closed to traffic here, too. This time they meant it, the road was
completely fenced off. We managed to avoid a detour by carrying our
bikes across the footbridge.
Our route back was to be flat and easy through Brimpton, Aldermaston and
Silchester to Stratfield Saye, then a short run home. As we crossed a
roundabout near Silchester there was a loud bang as my rear tyre
exploded. Whatever had been rubbing earlier must have weakened the cover
in the centre of the tread, and it had finally worn through. There was
an inch-long gash in the centre of the tread, and the tube had blown out.
We replaced the tube and patched the cover with some fabric-based
sticking plaster, but the hole looked very vulnerable. Sue didn't
believe that the tyre would last until we got home, and I had only one
spare tube. We reached Silchester and agreed that I should wait there
while Sue rode home to pick up the car. In the meantime I would have to
wait at the Calleva Arms for perhaps an hour and a half awaiting rescue.
Sue felt sorry for me for missing out on part of the ride. I bore this
with fortitude, knowing that all I had to pass this lonely 90 minutes
was a selection of fine ales and some salted snacks.
It seemed as though barely moments had passed before Sue returned. She
had finished the ride in fine style, covering 104 km. Given the
conditions we had ridden in during the morning, we both felt a little
happier at the prospect of next week's ride.
We should not be too complacent on the other hand, 140km with 2500
metres of climbing will be our hardest day so far this year. Sue has
never ridden that far, and I haven't done so in at least fifteen years.
If the weather is good we should finish in the time limit, but if North
Wales does its worst we will struggle.