Matt - First Group Ride

The first group ride has happened and from my perspective it was a success. Jon and I were up at 6 making sure that we had our porridge before heading over to meet up with Cleve. We were met at the drive by Cleve dressed head to toe in lycra (not looking forward to dressing like that!). Knowing that Jon and I have never actually been prepared for a ride i was feeling content that our resident expert was going to take care of Jon and my slackness. Definately a wrong assumption!! Cleve had the puncture repair kit, but no actual pump! Dont know how we were actually going to pump up the tyre if we needed to! Cleve then attached a pump to my bike and we headed out. 10 minutes out and he remembered that he had left the door wide open and he garage door open with his keys in it - Excellent start and a comforting thought that all 3 of us are as slack as each other. How we will make it to John o Groats i dont know.

We powered to the end of the road and Cleve took the lead - i must say, my heart was then in my mouth thinking that he was setting a pace that Jon and I werent going to be able to maintain. However, as the ride progressed the pace evened out and everyone kept pace with the next person. That is until i had a puncture in my front wheel. My co-riders of course didnt notice that i was gone until half a mile down the road. So the guys turned around and we proceeded to take the tyre and inner tube off the wheel and took the thorn out that was sticking in my tyre. Unfortunately for us. Cleve had brought the wrong pump, so 9 miles down the road and at 8.30am we were stuck at the side of the road. We must however thank Cleves wife and daughters who had to get out of bed and head down the road with a spare inner tube and pump. Fixed and ready to go, we set off again. Just as the pace started getting up again and yep, my back tyre went flat! How unfortunate can 1 person be? Again, another thorn and we set about fixing the puncture. Another 15 minutes later and we set off again. 1 mile later and i asked the guys if that was a bumpy road because i was feeling something in my front wheel. Turned out that we hadnt put the tyre back on the first time we broke down and i had a bulge. Repaired we were off again and in the end managed 36 (nearly 37) miles. I am now considering adding an extra 3 hours per day for our ride to cater for all of our slackness and all of my breakdowns - i must say that i am just greatful that my dad is along to take care of us all!

All in all though a good ride, an even ride for all of us i think, and am pleased that we are all appearing to be at the same level.

So, bring it on guys - i am sure that the stick is coming my way now for keeping breaking down! I had it all day on Saturday!