Regular readers will remember that I was recently _given_ a Cheltenham
Pedersen by Helen Vecht of this very news group. So far it's only
been taken on short around town rides, longest 5 miles.
Sunday presented the chance to go a bit further. As it was the second
Sunday in the month, it was Tandem Club day. However, Mrs. Hall was
poorly and Brendan (12) was still recovering from his broken collar
bone (as mentioned last week) and Kirsty (17) was observing teenage
getting up times, I rode solo on the Pedersen.
The start of the ride was at Cranleigh Leisure Centre, which isn't
particularly easy to get to. (I try to use the train to get to the
start of such rides). The best bet seemed to be train to Christs
Hospital then blat along the Downs Link to Cranleigh. There was a
train arriving at 0912, giving me around 45 minutes to cover what
looked like 12km. My mapreading must be out, or I ride slower than I
thought, as I blasted into the carpark smack on 10:00, a bit later
than planned. The assembled Tandemistas admired the Pedersen and
after a breather I departed with the long ride group. We headed to
Ewhurst then north into the Surrey Hills. A couple of steep climbs
andthen a breather, followed by p*nct*r* repair for one of our number,
then on to Holmbury St Mary and a descent through small villages to
Horsham, where we met up with the short ride for lunch at the Cafe in
the park.
So far so good. No bum ache, no hand ache - fine tuning the handlebar
position seemed to have worked.
We all set off after lunch, where I noticed a once per wheel
revolution kncking. Nothing serious I thought, so ignored it. We took
a breather at the top of hill where I investigated more thoroughly.
The tyre bead was lifiting off of the wheel. I let the tyre down,
reseated the tyre and cleverly ripped the valve out of the tube. Bum.
Replaced tube and pumped up tyre, not so hard this time. The rims are
flat walled, rather than the hooks we're more accustomed to, and the
bead seat diameter is 597, which I understand is up there with rocking
horse poo and hens' teeth. Research is underway for when the tyres
finally give up the ghost.
We sped on, stopping at Capel church for tea and cake. Excellent
value, cup of coffee, two bits of cake for GBP1.20. Served in the
church itself.
A bit of off road followed then finally back to Cranleigh. A call to
rail enquiries to see when the next train was. Hmm, 45 minutes. Quick
good byes then off in a flurry of dust back along the Downs Link. A
too quick gear change meant I had to stop to put the chain back on.
Pedalling like a loon, but slowing down, of course, for other path
users. Luckily no horses were encountered. Pounding up the road to
Christs Hospital, to see the train approaching. Missed it by a minute.
Ah well, a short ride saw me in Horsham to get the next train home,
then off to my parents' for roast beef.
Overall distance 102km.
Tim