The day started well enough, the sun was out the birds were singing and there was little or no wind and on the way to the Plaza I was joined by the Stacey Twins, Mark and Curtis
At the Plaza Colin, John Will, Dai Triggs, Bevan Hulse, Gareth Howe were heading east whereas the BBCR was heading to Burryport.
Spot, JD, The Stacey Boys, Mark Hillier, Mike hall, Griff, Nigel Pitt and me set off at a fair lick. Briton Ferry Bridge came and went and JD took the all important KOM points on what is a flat stage. Along Fabien Way the pace got quicker and Spot’s half wheeling seemed to work as JD was just pipped at the Double Point Swansea City Prime.
Through Swansea we went and we were joined by Andy Lewis, It was here that I first started to have problems and my chain started slipping on the inner ring. No problem I shifted it to the unused big ring….
Up through Clyne valley, Curtis and Mark hit the front and kept the pace quick to Dunvant, but they came back and the Peloton arrived at Gorseinon together where we were greeted with the shouts of “Puncture”
Andy Lewis was the first to succumb but after a sit down in the sun JD was obviously rejuvenated because once we started off he was in the thick of things outwitting Curtis on the Loughour prime. Hands aloft, the points were claimed in style.
At Loughour Bridge the big guns came out to play and the Quadruple point Carmarthenshire prime was hotly contested By Spot, Griff and Andy…. Spot went for the long one but Griff wise to such a move accelerated past with 50 to go.
As is often the case, after a big sprint a break went away, as is also often the case, if you are going to be in the break it’s best you know the way…. Mark Curtis and Andy clearly didn’t, and after much shouting and waving, they turned round for the long chase back.
On the last climb just before the café, Andy Lewis took the KOM points only for BANG the 2nd puncture of the day… Spot.
As we were almost at the Café me and spot stayed to fix the puncture and the boys went to order coffee.
On the way back Curtis and Nigel Pitt kept the pace high to prevent any attacks getting away and Spot made certain of 2nd quadruple points county prime by taking off at about a mile brfore Loughor Bridge…. Mark Hillier and Mike hall had a go but Spot was victorious.
Then my troubles really began…………. just before Gorseinon my gear cable snapped and the derailleur promptly shifted to the 12 sprocket, Just as Andy Lewis had Puncture number 2. While he was mending his 2nd puncture I frantically tried to screw my gears down and managed to get it into 52 x 14 but every time I put any pressure, the chain slipped and came off…. All the way through Swansea the boys waited for me until Fabien way when BANG Spot had another puncture.
As I knew I was going to have to walk over Briton Ferry bridge and Pentyla I kept going, the Stacey twins and Mike Hall came with me but chapeaux to Mark and Curtis because when we got to Briton Ferry bridge we found that If I pedalled in the little ring, even though the chain slipped it didn't come off, with Curtis pushing, I could keep going (Tidy like).
On Pentyla I thanked the Porthcawl chapter for their help but said I’d walk this one as I had to wait for JD to get a lift from the Plaza (He was with Spot, Griff and Mark hillier). Right on cue as I got to the top of Pentyla here came JD to help me the rest of the way to the Plaza
So todays results
Green Jersey – Spot
KOM A Tie - JD and Andy
Most dramatic Puncture – Spot
The "get your bike maintained award" – Me
Best pusher of a man in need award - Curtis (Thanks Mate you’re a gem)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/152951253
« Last edit by Les Thomas on Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:10 am. »