The finely honed athletic cyclists (and Simon Baker) departed from base this morning with a fine send off from our colleagues in Product Safety. We thought we were suddenly popular, but in reality, free bacon clinched their attendance.
John Doe gave us the horn as an official start to our journey to Switzerland. Within 16 miles we had the first of nine punctures of the day.
Simon Hill clearly leads the pack with three and a replacement tire. Alan and Bob are vying second place with two each. Bob was notable for ripping a valve off with vigorous pumping. Derek and Stuart came third with one puncture. The weather was disappointingly wet (it was truly horrible) from Winkfield until the sun set at Lewes it wasn´t long until Olly lost his bottle, but he quickly recovered it from the road.
Our colleagues at Guilford gave us a great reception and let Stuart´s tires Down before we left (actually it was another puncture).
Despite the horrendous weather team morale was kept high by the usual Product Safety banter, unrepeatable jokes and it was always nice to see Juerg´ smiling face when we met up at intervals during the day. We were well fed and watered in Newhaven prior to our overnight crossing to Dieppe.
The crossing was quite smooth despite the bad weather and we managed a few hours sleep. In Dieppe the ferry terminal staff gave us a lift to the hotel free of charge (European hospitality) as no taxis operate at 4 am.
John Doe gave us the horn as an official start to our journey to Switzerland. Within 16 miles we had the first of nine punctures of the day.
Simon Hill clearly leads the pack with three and a replacement tire. Alan and Bob are vying second place with two each. Bob was notable for ripping a valve off with vigorous pumping. Derek and Stuart came third with one puncture. The weather was disappointingly wet (it was truly horrible) from Winkfield until the sun set at Lewes it wasn´t long until Olly lost his bottle, but he quickly recovered it from the road.
Our colleagues at Guilford gave us a great reception and let Stuart´s tires Down before we left (actually it was another puncture).
Despite the horrendous weather team morale was kept high by the usual Product Safety banter, unrepeatable jokes and it was always nice to see Juerg´ smiling face when we met up at intervals during the day. We were well fed and watered in Newhaven prior to our overnight crossing to Dieppe.
The crossing was quite smooth despite the bad weather and we managed a few hours sleep. In Dieppe the ferry terminal staff gave us a lift to the hotel free of charge (European hospitality) as no taxis operate at 4 am.
9 punctures already? A good start then..
ReplyDeleteHope you took plenty of spares- and I trust la belle France is treating you well
Amie
Trust Rob to be an exhibitionist & rip his valve off! he's got to be different :)
ReplyDeleteOne day in and already with the "horn" gags, you're on good form lads!
ReplyDelete