22 Feb 2025
So not one but two cracking routes were posted for the Jags this week. A mountainous route to Bledlow Ridge (Kylie), and a somewhat flatter route to Fulmer (Jay). Giving a broad spectrum of excuses, a number of Jags (well, 2!) decided to embrace the trending concept of moving between speed groups and joined the ever-sociable Fast Tigers (route similar to the less jagged Jags route – thanks Martyn).
Weather was warm, dullish but with plenty of surface water (read completely flooded roads) to add a little excitement to the proceedings.
Tyres suffered with a number of flinty punctures, but not a problem when you have more that an adequate sufficiency of willing helpers (spectators!). Should the routes have been posted as gravel rides?? ()
A big thanks to the very conscientious rider (me) who set up the bike racks outside the MSC before the kick-off, and the overwhelming agreement post coffee that if your bike is the last one on a rack then it’s your job to return that rack to the secret storage location (see below). Exit strategies were immediately planned (“I’m out of here - no way do I want to get muddy cleats” – you know who you are!!).
Big reveal of the secret bike rack storage location …
Bacon baps, cakes and coffee well received as usual – with a goodly number of Cookham types going the extra mile(s) to savour the delicacies and post ride banter. Well done!!
Handy Tool Tip - With multiple punctures a tool that got a lot of praise and more than few follow up online orders was the Tyre Glider (Thanks Soyen).
