Autumn approached and unfortunately not everyone had forgotten about these ideas and discussions took place eventually resulting in six members of the club still up for the challenge.  Some of us resorted to joining a gym and exercise regimes of varying keenness were started.  The ride has been opened up to other clubs and friends, at the moment we have nineteen people due to ride with two people providing the back up.

January things became serious and cycling committee meetings were introduced, by some coincidence they were organised in the pub, and after much discussion, with our lead negotiator Simon Walsh to the fore, a deal was struck and five brand new bikes later we were ready to start the serious training.

The first Sunday morning was a great success it took four miles before the previous lack of exercise took its toll and one of our number deposited his breakfast in a hedge.  After that I discovered that handlebars should be attached more tightly and became the first to fall off our new bikes as the handlebar faced in one direction and the wheel in another.  We then continued without further problem until we undid all our good work by stopping at a café for bacon butties and a lovely well earned cup of tea.

Since then further rides have taken place with more mishaps, Our President keeps getting his feet caught in his pedals and falling over when he stops.  My pedal fell off with none of us having the hexagonal key big enough to put it back.  Thankfully it was only 4 miles from home so hobbling back was not too difficult.  Iain then kept breaking his chain and the repair tool as well so another trip to the cycle shop for a new ‘super duper strong chain’. These were then surpassed by Luke Gatecliff who wanted to prove he could ride the back of the doubler with out holding on and waving his arms about then showed he couldn’t by falling off.  He suffered slightly only bashing his ear in his helmet, but was almost was flattened by Iain falling off, after his brakes worked very well and so stopped before riding over Luke but still couldn’t get his feet out of his pedals.

 

Our basic bikes seem to be changing with each week, starting off pristine and new from the shop new “boys’ toys” get added.  We now have cycling computers, mud guards, lights, gel saddles, mini panniers, tool kits, emergency gas cylinders for the tyres, etc. etc. though I think the first one to buy an engine to get up hill will have gone too far.

 

Training looks set to continue as June suddenly seems to be not that far away. Sponsorship forms will be out soon and the serious part of the job of raising some money for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice will begin.

 

Andrew Gatecliff