Following Monday's fairly disastrous ride (well, the first bit anyhow) I had a suspicion, and decided to strip the front tyre and tube off the knockabout bike to enlighten myself. Sure enough I found that the cause of the first puncture on the rear wasn't a perished tube as I thought but cuts caused by the new rim tape as the quite new front tube had very similar marks. Specialized, I am not impressed!
Once that was sorted (rim tape swapped with some from older wheels and the worst mark patched for peace-of-mind) a test ride was in order. I missed out on the long ride the other day so I headed out on my route to Melverley.
With calm conditions and the new gearing I was able to press on pretty well. I have to work harder than when riding the Raleigh but I was able to keep up the same sort of pace on this fairly flat route.
I'm pleased to report no mechanical problems and only a couple of close passes that were annoying rather than scary but the rest was quite enjoyable.
Near Nesscliffe a motorbike overtook and the passenger (no helmet) shouted something but I was doing 27mph at the time so hadn't a chance of hearing him over the wind noise.
Perhaps he was expressing surprise at my speed
. (It was on a downhill bit).
The section between Westbury and Nox was quite fun. Apart from a couple of lumps, this is flat or slightly downhill for 3.4 miles. My speed didn't drop lower than 16 mph anywhere on this bit
.
The final total was 33.7 miles and the average speed was 14.7 mph, which I'd be fairly happy to do on the Raleigh let alone the heavy, fat tyred knockabout bike.
The Royal Hill pub near Pentre. One of these rides I'll have to drop in and try it out (with some company - it doesn't feel right drinking alone
).
It may be The Royal Hill, but it's actually on low ground right by the River Severn.
Nearing Melverley - I think this barn could use a little TLC. Glancing inside as I passed, it appears to still be in use despite the condition.
I've just crossed into Wales here and I spot teepees.
A slight detour to get the sign in as none of the side roads I'm using have anything to say where the border is.
Just past Nox and the wheat harvest is under way. We're looking towards the Oaks ridge plus the double hump (not quite so obvious from this angle) of Pontesford Hill and Earl's Hill.