I was amazed that only 2 of the riders out of 4 decided to stay in bed considering the weather, so duly set off in the rain with Michael and Alan feeling very virtuous for making the effort.
We set off in the drizzle as a cheery three and wended our way towards Frieth and the first obstacle.... road closed. After a very short debate we decided this did not mean we could not pass and duly shifted the barriers to let ourselves through and found that nothing was happening in the cornered off road, so no harm done.
The route seemed to be all up hill and I was finding it particulary hard until I realised I had no air in my back tire - puncture number 1. After some wet faffing and the three of us combining forces we were back on the way, as we were more or less half way there was some debate about turning back versus going on - but we decided to keep the route. The next obstacle was 3 cute but noisy dogs who were escaped and having a party in the middle of the road, causing traffic chaos. We shepherded them safely off the road and continue on, only to have the second puncture of the day shortly after.
Allan made short work of changing the tube, but then found we couldn't apply our gas cannisters to it so had to make do with the hand pump, luckily this got us going again.
The rain was lashing and everyone was keen to get home so we altered the route to find the quickest way home. Coming back the way we came we got back to the road closed to find them actually doing some work, so had to divert through Finnamore Wood, a first for me and interesting to see.
Nearly back the third puncture hit at which point the group ride was abandoned. It was a trifle soggy to say the least but always good to be out, if only in retrospect. I'd like to thank Michael and Allan for remaining cheery and stoic and generally being good company. I felt I'd earned a bacon sarnie and luckily there was one left when I reached the club !
Well done on sticking at it.