Was 'chatting' with my mate Graeme on Skype earlier this afternoon when the subject of a bike ride came up. Graeme mentioned that it was raining and said something about not wanting to loose any skin on the road today.... Fair enough. He went off to do some house work, so I got back to what I was doing on my computer...

Next thing, another mate, Damon pops up (Skype) and invites me out on a ride with him.... and Graeme!

What?

So now he does want to go? "Ok, but only if you both come and pick me up" I said. 30 minutes later (or thereabouts) we headed out on a 'slow ride' together. I went out in front.... making the best of it, as this was only my second ride on my Giant OCR Zero since April and I probably wouldn't be in front for long. I had only gone about 100 metres when I heard Damon calling out and turned to see him and Graeme about 50 metres behind me...

Not to be deterred, I continued on my way and headed towards Police Pools Rd. This ride is a 23.8km return trip from my house (out to the end of the bitumen). I expected to be 'caught' very soon but continued on my merry way at an average speed of around 30 - 35km/h (tail wind). I started to wonder where the other two were after the first five km's or so and when I got to the turn around point, alone, I knew something was wrong....

I eventually met Damon & Graeme coming towards me... turns out Graeme broke his chain, took Damon's bike to his place to get his 'chain breaker' (or chain fixer in this case), returned to fix his chain (while Damon waited with his bike at my place...) and then started their ride, again.

You can read Damon's blog report HERE and/or visit Graeme's site HERE but you won't find much of a blog.... It doesn't exist!

I completed my ride in a good time (for me) seeing as I haven't been on the bike for 4 months.

Total Distance: 23.9km
Average Speed: 27km/h
Maximum Speed: 40.6km/h
Total Time: 53:13