How many men does it take to mend a puncture?

A goodly gang of 10 met at the Chapel for coffee, before rolling out through Cary, Foddington and Babcary with a keen headwind. Glad to use the back lanes for some cover before heading onto more main roads through Somerton, and then the more mucky back lanes below High Ham. During the various shouts of “are we nearly there yet?” there came another shout of “puncture” as Mr CPs rear tyre went all soggy on him. After 2 attempts at a repair, Dr L led the majority of the pack the final 1/2 mile or so to the Pitney Farm Shop Cafe, returning to see how Mr CP was getting on with his repairs.

Mr GA kindly remained with Mr CP and they finally trundled into the cafe about 30 minutes after the main pack. It was Mr PT’s birthday, so we should have all been buying him cake, but he’d have none of it and kindly footed the whole bill for the lot of us, THANKS SO MUCH Mr PT.

Unfortunately Mr CPs tyre was in the process of deflating AGAIN whilst he tucked into his bacon sarnie, so tyre off again, washed, checked for flints, and Dr L offered up a final inner tube, and canister to finally effect a repair that held for the return journey. It didn’t however prevent the chain break which was then next fate to befall Mr CP and his lovely new bike. We all got home safe, if a bit muddy and a bit later than expected. And the Pitney Farm Shop Cafe was a delight; we shall definitely return.

As for Sunday, well Storm Ciara put paid to any road cycling, but Zwift (other training packages are available) was busy….