At the beginning of the day I thought to myself, today won't be more fun or exciting than yesterday... LITTLE did I know what was about to happen.
Six of us started at Dorking Station. Today was an intermediate ride, so none of us were going to get away with a flat route, we were going to work and earn our tea & cake.
We started with the White Downs and connected with the 22. At Abinger, Marie stared at the cows and made a voluntary dive into the grass, we realised a noise on her back wheel shortly after her tumble. Liezl is an expert in v-brakes and quickly found the problem. The rim burst/split and was rubbing against the brake pads. She opened the brakes more and Marie was able to continue the ride with her front brake only. She was determined to be on this ride especially after the mission it was to get to Dorking on time. First she missed the train as they changed the platform at the last minute, then 'Spiertier' Willie fastened the quick release so tight that she couldn't get the front wheel off to put it in the back of her car. Her frustration gave her the extra strength she needed and she was able to join us in the end.
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| Mechanics at work |
We stayed on the 22 up to after Shere. We then followed the route crossing the train line and went up in the trevine/kloof. It is a bit of a longer, technical climb but with a nice gradient. That part of Peaslake is usually quiet and you feel totally removed from the rest of the world. I was so proud of everyone as we were all equally matched and sitting right on each others wheels.
At the top of this climb we (Pokkeltjie & myself) rewarded ourselves with some fun in 'Die Sloot/The Ditch' as we call it. The Ditch has 2 lines, one steep smooth line and one less steep, but rooty line. Pokkeltjie went for smooth and steep and I went for less steep & rooty. Liezl went first and as she finished she wanted to turn around and look what I did... By the time I stopped I spotted her flat on her back in the middle of the road, moaning and groaning. I instantly thought, collarbone... Luckily nothing was broken and the moaning & groaning was just attention seeking. :) We decided that we would like to get Liezl's style on video, so she had to have another go. She did it brilliantly again and even rounded it off with a nice jump. I had total brain failure and didn't get it on camera. Liezl then volunteered to go a 3rd time. I was starting to consider to try her line WHEN I spotted the little tree stump roundabouts where you would land when you come out of the jump.
Seconds after my last thought my tree stump fear happened. Liezl's back wheel landed on the tree stump and she got catapult over her handlebars! 3 seconds went by before her bike landed on top of her head as she was busy pushing herself up from the ground.
We were all shocked and very concerned. She was moaning and groaning, but moving and not to badly injured. A cut on her arm and some major bruising. We made a makeshift bandage with my arm/knee warmer and stopped the bleeding.
She did 'The Ditch' a fourth time and redeemed herself!
My nerves were hanging on a threat as we will say in Afrikaans as we continued, it could've been so different, but I am very greatful that she was fine. We moved across to Christmas Pudding & Carpet land for some single track action.
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| The sun, the leaves and weather was just amazing. Here Lara is styling! |
Halfway down I heard something behind me and stopped. Sara came off her bike so we went to see if she was ok. Her bike landed on her and her leg got bruised, but she was ok. The right hand gear casing from her bike broke off and was hanging lose. We tried to position it back on with a plaster, but it didn't quite hold. Two guys came passed us and I asked if they had ductape with them, they didn't, but the one offered his last cable tie to us. We managed after lots of faffing to tie it back on and just left her gears in a gear that she could stay in for the rest of the day... Middle ring front and middle back.
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| Bronwen, Lara, Marie, Sara & Pokkeltjie |
After all of this drama we had a well-deserved tea break at Peaslake Village Store where Trudy offered us lots of TLC. We had a non-eventful but FAST return to Dorking station. A record 45 minute sprint via the flat route to Dorking Station and made the next train back with 5 minutes to spare.
I send our in-house nurse a text to ask if she was home as Pokkeltjie needed some medical attention. Nurse Saartjie was pleased to know that I was not the patient this time and she was ready with savlon, cotton wool and an extra dosage of TLC. I only had Mr Myprodol left in my TLC-cabinet and provided Pokkeltjie with some at church that evening. :)
Thank you Ladies, I had a ball despite all the mishaps along the way, it is all part of the adventure.
Check out our route:
Add-ons for my first-aid/essential-must-have kit in the future
1. Ductape
2. Cable ties
3. Pain killers
4. Plasters
In one of my previous blogs, "My Favourite Things" I mentioned Squirtlube I am now proud to announce that Squirtlube is sponsoring Tango Cycling. I will be handing out sample sizes when I see you next time. No more dirty hands when dealing with your chain, less time needed to wash your bike as you will never have to degrease your chain again is just some of the benefits when you use Squirtlube! #morefunforless
Future Rides:
20 October - Intermediate: Men & Women
2 - 3 November - Skills Weekend: Men & Women (note no ladies ride in November)
30 November - Beginners: Ladies
1 December 2013 - Intermediate: Ladies
Drop me a line if you would like to join us.
Try this link if the video doesn't work. http://www.magisto.com/video/bF4eaglWFDNsDxJhCzE?owner_login=1
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