If Thursday’s spin was for the Graceful Gazelles well today’s was one for the Wildebeests. Big, ungainly, hairy creatures we set out today without quite realising the full extent of the punishing wind we would have to battle to get home.
First technical happened on the road to Athboy when Michael Murtagh’s chain came off. It tangled and snapped his rear derailleur, broke one of his spokes and the wheel jammed solid. He did very well to stay upright but it was the end of his day out.
50k in and it was clear that some unlikely candidates were intent on having fun. In particular Dessie and Canice were punishing in their approach to some of the drags, stringing the group out in one complaining line of anguish and perspiration.
Leaving Castlepollard we had our second minor but costly incident when Fin’s lamp flew off as we sped over a rough surface, ending up in smithereens.
By the time we got to the coffee stop in Donnelly’s Filling Station we were ready for a break. Standing in the coal shed outside we were impressed with today’s talk on “The Secret of a Happy Marriage”, well done Davy. We look forward to continuing this rarely spoken about tradition of enlightening talks on our cycles.
The return journey was into the face of a very strong and gusty wind, made worse for Stephen by his rapidly deteriorating bottom bracket. it was time for the Wildebeest to grit their teeth and get home which we all did after almost 4:30 in the saddle. Good for the character as Canice suggested. Sean.