Tyred and not so tired....

There was some spooky tyre stuff going on this morning when we all got up at cock crow for an early Saturday morning ride. Beth had a flat one.....Alex had a puncture last night. John and I had a problem with low pressure and poorly pump. But all was resolved come 7ish and we met at the Bar at Copsale. Now, to the uninitiated this place doesn't compute. But in our world its a fitting substitute for the previous meeting place...outside the bar at the White Horse! The bar at Copsale is a little junction on the A24 where we have decided to meet up when we all ride together. Today John and I sped along a few minutes later than planned to find Alex and Beth there already. So we all tucked in behind one another and took off along the A272 to Coolham. I won't go into the details of the ride as we have done this one before. This time it was raining....our first wet outing as a team...though Beth is a veteran of the solo wet one! We squelched our way along with me being grateful it wasn't last Saturday when my birthday BBQ might have been jeopardised. It was lovely to be out together....though Alex goes so far ahead of us that his sociability rating is up for discussion! I was amazed that, despite having only gotten off my bike 14 hours before, I was still spinning like someone who was fit enough to do so!
We had a coffee break at Storrington...when I spoke on the phone to a nice chap called N who wanted to buy our surplus dining room furniture. Turns out N is a cyclist too! He was most interested in our plans for LEJOG!
So our ride ended up at Macdonalds for the customary (by now) thick shakes, cheese burgers and coffee. Then we parted company with the Maplehurst massive and we tootled back to Southwater. John headed off for shed building with Trusty. I waited in for Nigel and his lovely wife (sorry, Mrs S, didn't catch your name!). They got an ABSOLUTE bargain (!) with our outsized dining room furniture. But I have many happy memories of many great times spent around it at The Snipe. Anyone reading this got happy memories of time spent around the cherrywood dining table? Please share! In the process of the deal being struck Nigel decided he wanted to join us for a leg of LEJOG. Top man! So watch this space for news of new training buddy.
Popped in to the White Horse tonight to discuss lists for things to take on trip. It is merely weeks away at this stage so getting serious regarding cycling gear, accommodation etc. Beth is off to US in two weeks so needs to be well organised before she goes. So it is scarily near. Have you donated to my chosen charity yet? Do you want to? It'd be muchly appreciated. If you don't want to donate online, try calling me on our home number...01403 738073.
And the stats for today.....46miles at 12.5mph.....in the rain!