Dark46
Veteran
- Location
- Quedgeley, Gloucester
Well the last Eastgate club ride was interesting to say the very least. I arrived home abit late to make the ride. So I agreed to meet the ride as it passed close to the estate.
There were 6 in our inter chilled group and we were heading for hilly 30 mile ride up Slad Valley.
The ride on the A38 was quiet enough until we turned off towards Stonehouse and over the M5. As we were entering Standish the group got its first puncture. The wait seemed really long, it turns out it was a new guy and had no idea how to replace his tube. A couple of other groups past us whole we were waiting.
We got going and everything seemed fine as we entered Stonehouse and had to wait at the temp traffic lights at the road works. We seemed to be waiting for a while again, we left in single file into the High Street. At the end we turned left st the roundabout towards Cainscross. I looked round and notice there was only 3 of us. I pulled over almost immediately. Yet again I thought there was going a bit of a wait, as looking back there was no sign of any cyclists. The only people visible with the Stroud runners.
After what seemed a 1/4 hr wait the others turned up and it turns out that Dean had had a puncture this time.
Time at this time was waiting for noone and I was starting to wonder how far we were going to get done.
As usual there was a bit of banter between me and Dean. We set off through Cainscross were the roads really need resurfacing! Coming into Stroud I led everyone passed Halfrauds and to the start of the climb to Slad Valley. Going through the narrow part of the climb heading out into the countryside I heard a clattering. I thought god no not another broken spoke? I stopped to check front and back wheels and nothing. So I set off. At the rear after telling everyone to carry on.
I picked a gear and a pace as I usually do and as I know this is a 3 mile climb I didn't want to push too much. I was hoping that as there was a couple of newbies they might push too hard too early.
Slowly but gradually I caught Clare and at the brow caught the others. Just as it hit the top I started to feel uncomfortable. It was then I looked down and noticed my rear was going down. I started walking to the next junction ad there really wasn't somewhere safe to change a tube. As I was walking a couple of groups passed and shouted if I was ok? Yes I said. When I arrived Dean started with the piss taking!
Well deserved as this was the first ride with my slime tube, because of this I didn't have a pump or levers saving weight lol. Dean lent me his levers and when took the tyre off there was green slime everywhere inside. It was completely destroyed! So I launched it to Clare's dismay. But I was disgusted that my £10 tube had lasted less than one full ride! Once inflated and back on the bike we were off down through Cranham then down the A46. Where I set about getting to the front with Dean downhill into Barnwood and back into the centre of Gloucester.
The time was getting on so there was no time for the pub this time, so headed home gently.
I've now ordered some CO2 canisters and a control drive. Plus I've changed the 700x25 conti tyres for my 700x28 Schwalbe Duranos that was on my hybrid. As much as I've had no grip issues with the Conti's I've had 3 punctures since March.
There were 6 in our inter chilled group and we were heading for hilly 30 mile ride up Slad Valley.
The ride on the A38 was quiet enough until we turned off towards Stonehouse and over the M5. As we were entering Standish the group got its first puncture. The wait seemed really long, it turns out it was a new guy and had no idea how to replace his tube. A couple of other groups past us whole we were waiting.
We got going and everything seemed fine as we entered Stonehouse and had to wait at the temp traffic lights at the road works. We seemed to be waiting for a while again, we left in single file into the High Street. At the end we turned left st the roundabout towards Cainscross. I looked round and notice there was only 3 of us. I pulled over almost immediately. Yet again I thought there was going a bit of a wait, as looking back there was no sign of any cyclists. The only people visible with the Stroud runners.
After what seemed a 1/4 hr wait the others turned up and it turns out that Dean had had a puncture this time.
Time at this time was waiting for noone and I was starting to wonder how far we were going to get done.
As usual there was a bit of banter between me and Dean. We set off through Cainscross were the roads really need resurfacing! Coming into Stroud I led everyone passed Halfrauds and to the start of the climb to Slad Valley. Going through the narrow part of the climb heading out into the countryside I heard a clattering. I thought god no not another broken spoke? I stopped to check front and back wheels and nothing. So I set off. At the rear after telling everyone to carry on.
I picked a gear and a pace as I usually do and as I know this is a 3 mile climb I didn't want to push too much. I was hoping that as there was a couple of newbies they might push too hard too early.
Slowly but gradually I caught Clare and at the brow caught the others. Just as it hit the top I started to feel uncomfortable. It was then I looked down and noticed my rear was going down. I started walking to the next junction ad there really wasn't somewhere safe to change a tube. As I was walking a couple of groups passed and shouted if I was ok? Yes I said. When I arrived Dean started with the piss taking!
Well deserved as this was the first ride with my slime tube, because of this I didn't have a pump or levers saving weight lol. Dean lent me his levers and when took the tyre off there was green slime everywhere inside. It was completely destroyed! So I launched it to Clare's dismay. But I was disgusted that my £10 tube had lasted less than one full ride! Once inflated and back on the bike we were off down through Cranham then down the A46. Where I set about getting to the front with Dean downhill into Barnwood and back into the centre of Gloucester.
The time was getting on so there was no time for the pub this time, so headed home gently.
I've now ordered some CO2 canisters and a control drive. Plus I've changed the 700x25 conti tyres for my 700x28 Schwalbe Duranos that was on my hybrid. As much as I've had no grip issues with the Conti's I've had 3 punctures since March.
. Near perfect weather although the wind caught me later on in the ride. 
sunny day was about as close as you are going to get to the alps in England. 
Looks like you had just as good time riding as I did, and that's all that matters.
). Anyway, was well worth it as achieved my highest avg speed ever (dont worry Bradley, was still below 14mph lol) but well, well chuffed, after all I was just taking it easy riding it home from the shop, never expected any Strava trophies et but got 7. Need to get is serviced every week now :-)
