So the weather forecast was spot on for today. Rain was predicted and we got plenty, in fact it never stopped on the ride.
Having received a text at 6.53am (name withheld to prevent cyber abuse) from one stalwart who despite no rain at that time had decided to “give it a miss” the signs were not promising as to the eventual numbers who would be at the Market Square.
16 were on the ride although we did not all leave theMarket Square at the same time. 13 left St Neots and headed out to Little Gransden. As we were leaving St Neots heading towards Abbottsley a shout was heard over the driving wind and rain. This was Ade who had missed us at theMarket Squareand managed to catch us before we had gone too far.
This morning we welcomed another new member in Phil Laycock who was joining us for the first time and also very good to see Joe Finucane who joined the club last week back for his second outing. Phil was showing us the first bare legs for the 2012 season !!
A rare sighting this morning was Andy Kinglake who claims not to do “winter riding” and joined us as far as Potton.
Now we were 14 and a steady pace along part of the TT course towards Little Gransden and down to Gamlingay. At the crossroads our numbers increased to 16 with Jonathan and David Smith waiting for us. They too had arrived late at the start and had decided to follow a more direct route to “head us off”. Such determination on such a day shows the dedication and commitment of the SNCC rider to the Club Run !!
Continual rain was now accepted and clearly little prospect of any improvement in the weather. Sunglasses were even being removed to improve visibility.
The white panels in the kit were now mainly a dirty brown from the spray of the wheels and great debate as to the effectiveness (or otherwise) of mudguards took place. Alistair came in for the usual level of abuse about the inadequacies of his mudguards and that all they were good for was “resistance training”.
As we headed towards Biggleswade the group was being stretched and from Broom we split into two groups.
The second group settled into a steady pace that took them to Old Warden and Great Barford , with the St Neots crowd cutting off at Colmworth and the Buckden boys heading back via Staughton Moor.
Group 1 pushed on but had an unfortunate run of punctures even beating the brace of last Sunday by notching up 3 (with Jason getting a double and Wayne the other).Unlucky Jason had a piece of flint in his tyre , not spotted after the first puncture and he lost the feeling in his hands and wishes to thankRichard Walesfor all his help or as he says he might still be there !!
This was not a day to be fixing punctures with cold and wet hands and Jason was by now regretting his return to the bike after a few weeks absence !!
For both groups , depending on various routes back to theMarket Squarebetween 50 and 60 miles this fine and wet morning.
Given the conditions an excellent turn out and although some may not agree , quite enjoyable.