Double Blow Out

Arranged to meet with Greenie off the RW forums for a midweek 40 - not sure she was going that far, but I planned to add on extra. On the way I nearly got hit by a twunt in a car turning right across me going into the road up to the gym (try using your eyes FFS!) but after that scare, met up safely!

We headed up past NESCOT and then up towards Epsom Downs. Sadly I didn't have my Garmin on as it needed charging, but I may plot a route later. We followed the route I did a couple of weeks ago through Tadworth, and then up the back way to the top of Box Hill. I had planned to have some cake, go down the Zig Zag, and then vlimb it before heading off home. Anyway - just as we got to the cafe, my back tyre blew, so we sat down to drink coffee and a rather scrummy slice of carrot cake, and then set about fixing the tyre. All went well, and before long I was ready to try the CO2 pump. It did take a bit of fumbling to figure out how to get it to work, but once I sussed that the tyre inflated very quickly.

"Blimey, it's gone rock hard", said Greenie, in her best northern accent. And sure enough, it had! The cannisters contain just enough air to inflate the tyre to 100psi, so job done! After a quick natter to some other cyclists, we headed off down the Zig Zag. 50 yards later, there was an ominous hiss, and the back tyre had gone again. Had I pinched the inner tube? I'd check the rim and the tyre for any dangerous bits without finding anything, so this was annoying! Was it just coincidence? More immediately, how was I going to get home?

Fortunately I remembered that Dauphin cycles was about a mile back up the road, and Stuart (Lindi's boyfriend Bike Ponce) worked there. I rang Lindi to check they were open (it was Wednesday and it is the country) and having confirmed that, headed up there with Greenie, who was kind enough to hang around. We got there, I explained things to Stuart, who quickly found various other problems with my bike! I may need new wheels! The front one has a bit of a hub misalignment that willl only get worse with time. Oops - more money, but lets face it, wheels are kinda crucial!

Anyway, he said it wasn't urgent, and moved onto the rear wheel. It's great watching him work, he made taking the wheel off much easier. First trick - put the chain onto the smallest back cog first! He had a bit of trouble getting the tyre off (as I did - so I can't be that bad), and quickly found a thorn that had stuck through the tyre wall and into the inner tube. I really doubt that I'd have missed that, so I guess I was just very unlucky. Anyway - the tyre had a slash in it too, and what with a couple of other severe problems with it, it was time for a new tyre. Stuart commented that I hadn't pinched the inner tube (phew!) and fitted the new one and tyre. All great so far. He pumped it up, and took a look at my back brakes, where the blocks were worn.

BANG! WTF?? The tyre on my back wheel that was sitting by the bike had just blown for no obvious reason! Stuart concluded that it must be dodgy rim tape, and replaced that and fitted another inner tube. I'm hoping that that explains the several blow outs I've had where there's been a hole in the inner tube but no obvious thorn, stone or piece of glass.

Anyway - that had taken up a lot of time, so I decided to forget the 40 miler, and we did 26 in the end. Greenie got into an argument with some twat in a car who pulled out in front of her, and had a go at him through the window. The passenger gave her the finger. Why can't people just admit they screwed up and apologise - grrr!

Thanks to Greenie for the company - I really did enjoy that ride, the cake and of course hanging around for ages when we weren't riding. Stuart was great as well - it's good to see someone like that who clearly loves the work and is happy to explain about it and answer my feckwit questions.

Not a great training week this week, and off to Brizzle again so may not get mch more training done. Hopefully a ten mile run today. Weight is a smidge up, gone above 90kgs again - not a big deal in many ways but just frustrating after it was heading down so well!

Study is going great - managed to get through shedloads of stuff, the start of the A2 was good too, and it's all fascinating. Just off out to get some textbooks. I've rung about a physio pleacement and I'm waiting for a return call - although if it doesn't come soon I'm ringing back. I'd love to have it kicked off before I head down to Mouse Mansions :o)