Bang!

Picked up a text message from Tim last night saying he couldn't do a ride on Saturday, so I decided that instead of the 120 mile loop we had planned, I'd tackle a 70 mile loop - given the weather forecast, I thought that was about as much as I'd get away with before the rain set in!

I headed out towards Baldock via Braughing, after about 5 miles I had to cycle through a flooded road (about a foot deep), so much for keeping dry! Has to stop for directrions in Braughing as there is a ford through the main road and I wanted to make sure that was the way I had to go! Then I realised that there was a bridge across for pedestrians - so I took that to try to stay dry! Carried on to Hare Street, and then on to Buntingford, bright but very breezy!

I planned the route to head out West and come back East - the weather forcast indicated strong westerly winds, so a tail wind on the way back was going to be more favourable!

The road from Buntingford to Baldock (the A507) is not really what I would class an A road. It is very narrow, lots of 90 degree bends, some good hills - up and down, and a reasonable amount of traffic. The road is popular with bikers (the motor powered sort), and there are a few out today swooping in and out of the traffic - I really don't understand the attraction!

Through Baldock, Letchworth and then down the hill to Hitchin, where I stopped at a petrol station to go to the toilet! I had a sandwich too - to keep up the energy levels, but when I got back on to my bike I noticed my front tyre had a slow puncture. I decided to just replace the tube, and if I got another puncture then I'd have to repair it properly...

Off with the wheel, the type, the tube, out with the new tub, replace tube/tyre, out with the CO2 canister pump up the type - BANG!!!

Oops! I think the tube got trapped in the tyre! Scared a few people in the petrol station! Anyway, I was looking a little bemused at this point, as for some reason I don't have a hand pump on my bike, and I asked a lady if there was a local bike shop - luckily there was one about 200 yards up the road - Paul's Bikes of Hitchin!


I dragged my bike to the shop to find it was a Specialized stockist! A proper bike shop! The guy in the shop looked a little surprised at my request for a new tube - and a pump - maybe I should have been better prepared! Anyway, he sorted the bike out and supplied me with an additional tube and a pump for about £30. I'm just glad that the puncture didn't happen in the middle of nowhere. I think I need to practise tyre changes - I think I'd be at a complete loss if I had to sort out a pucture in the rear tyre on my own!!

Anyway, On with the ride, I headed up a very long hill out of Hitchin towards Luton on the A505 - a very busy road, round the airport (still into the wind at this point), and then onto smaller quiter roads to Wheathampstead. I stop outstide a local football ground after 45 miles miles for a short rest and to call home to explain why I was going to be later than expected. The rain was still holding off at this point!

On to Welwyn Garden City, and then just as I get to the A414 to Hertford it happens. I noticed that the westerly wind I had expected to carry me home was more of a southerly wind, very strong and pelting me with rain from the right hand side! Nice. Anyway, I slog it out and eventually make to Hertford, then through Ware, and towards Harlow. I take the back road through Harlow, snacking on Malt Loaf in the torrential rain, while trying to get home as quickly as possible! Through Sawbridgeworth and on home - an hour later than planned, and very wet!

Still a good ride of 73 miles and I plan to do another 40 miles tomorrow...