Today started at 6:30 when we were picked up and driven the 20 minutes to the Roark very expensive bicycle factory. It was quite strange driving anywhere for the first time in over three weeks. I could quite get used to moving at an average speed of over 30 mph in air conditioned comfort and sitting on a nice padded seat.We got shown around the factory. Most of their work is for the military, which we weren't allowed to take photos of, cutting and welding precision parts for aircraft and submarines. The bike bit is tucked away in a corner. They make about 50 a year and each one costs between $4000 and $8000, and that's just for the frame, it doesn't include the wheels, handlebars, gears etc. But you do get your name lazer cut into it. If you want to see what a $10k bike looks like, check out the FAQ section. Not even I could justify spending that much on a bike even for Christmas AND birthday combined. I wasn't even tempted by the $40 water bottle holder. They were good guys though and made us feel very welcome.
By about 8:30 we were all itching to get on the road, so returned to the hotel, loaded and departed just after 9am, one of our latest starts. The day was again clear blue skies and side winds. We passed several miles of millionairres row types mansions, it is a very rich area out here. After about 20 miles it got slightly less expensive but more aspirational. Not exactly gated communities, but certainly communities. That would be a number of very large very similar houses generally clustered around something like a lake, often with a fountain in it and given a communal name on a large sign at the entrance, something like 'Fountain Lakes'. I think Stepford would be a better description.
I really wasn't riding well this morning. Absolutely paranoid about making my saddle sore any worse and just not into it. Dropped off of the main group of five and did the last hour to lunch on my own. I wasn't the only one feeling uninspired, maybe it was the gap between breakfast and starting. Photo shows our group at lunch, what a strange bunch, why are they sitting like that?
I was second to last leaving lunch and not looking forward to the remaining 45 miles at all. Passed TLM who was I think pretending to work on his bike, but really waiting for me. He soon caught me up and we paced each other. His turn was 23ish mph and mine was 21ish mph. The guy's in his 60's and an inspiration. We absolutely tore it up for about an hour, felt much much better, really riding strong. It could have been something to do with the can of coke, bottle of iced coffee, bottle of something called '5 hour energy' (which is probably banned in the UK) and energy bar I had for lunch, I was completely wired. Met up with some of the others who'd stopped at a service station and our group rode in strongly. One of the guys (Ron) got his third puncture in three days, a massive nail which went right through the tyre and inner tube. He was lucky it didn't damage the wheel.
Got the bike checked over this evening. As expected it needed a new chain. Apparently they last about 2000 miles, which for me would be a little under a year in normal conditions, or a little over two weeks is these conditions. This chain had done I think over 4000 miles, so no surprise that it was shot. So far I've had two new wheels, four new tyres (although maybe the last two could have lasted a little longer) and one new chain. Let's hope that's it.
Saddle sore is better this evening, I really hope it's going to heal, it's about the only thing which could spoil the end of this trip. Weather's meant to turn nasty for the next few days, rain and high winds. Oh well, we've ridden our luck so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment