Hell of Ashdown recce

Ten of us out for a cold, misty and wet recce of next February’s Hell of Ashdown sportive. Two punctures and one snapped gear cable, fortunately none of them mine. Out to Downe from Crystal Palace and up the short, sharp Cudham Test Hill before a long run south to Kidds Hill via Brasted Chart and Dormansland. Greig and Pete broke of for a shorter ride around Edenbridge and the rest of us made good time as we weaved down through the lanes. There was a most welcome cake stop in Groombride before the return leg via Bailey’s and Star hills. Ken, Dyanne, Joe, Michael and one other broke off as we approached Bough Beech Reservoir and opted for the more direct route home via Ide Hill. Harvey, Daniel and I pushed on and finished the full route. I wish I could remember the other rider’s name. He was great at taking turns at the front and excellent to ride with.

Daniel has posted his pictures from the ride here.

Saturday’s forecast was for a cold and wet day so I figured this was probably a good time to put some winter tyres on. First time I’ve used 25mm Continental Four Seasons and at the recommended 95psi, they were so much more comfortable to ride than 23mm GP4000s at 110psi. They also stuck to the road fantastically and dealt with both the road and weather conditions perfectly.

Fortunately I got to do the ride on a new rear wheel but the experience of getting it makes it very difficult to recommend my local bike shop. I have persevered with De Ver because it is almost at the end of my road and stocks a reasonable range of bikes and gear. It is also the only place I know where I could take my broken wheel last Saturday and have a new one built by Friday. What bothers me is that the shop let me down a number of times on service. I asked for a silver rim and got black. I also asked for rim tape but had to fit it myself and only got it because my wife asked for it when picking up the wheel. Paying for it took 20 minutes apparently while another customer looked around and got so bored he walked out. Jason the mechanic then called me after my wife had left to let me know that there had been a “boo boo”. My old cassette and skewer were also supposed to be put on the new wheel but he’d forgotten to fit them and I could drop by any time to pick them up. Great.

Turns out the black rim doesn’t look too mismatched to front’s mottled silver. Fitting the rim tape only took a couple of minutes and luckily I had a new cassette and old skewer that I could use. It dismays me when a local shop lets me down on service. Everything I need can be bought cheaper online and without great customer service there is little reason to go your local bike shop.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 11/29/2008
• Time: 08:30:00
• Total Time: 6:36:00.00
• Distance: 150 km
• Average Speed: 22.73 kmph
• Ascent: 2,000 m