The Speedian gives his Thursday Thoughts:

Thursday September the 10th 2009

1. Alex
2. Arthur
3. Ian A
4. Ian B
5. Ian M
6. Steve S
7. Justin
8. Stephen
9. Derek
10. Geoff
11. Terry K
12. Matt
13. Tim
14. Alan
15. Isobel
16. Jon
17. Ainis
18. Simon
19. Chris D
20. Chris K
21. Jeff
22. Richy
23. Jason
24. Keith
25. Kev J

A glorious late summer evening saw a record equalling twenty four turn out, most of the regulars appeared in their new club shirts split fifty fifty between green and red, no getting away with riding footpaths undercover now. Weetslade hill was the first gathering point after a slight delay picking Derek up at Hillheads farm.

A rapid descent down the short dry singletrack had riders picking many different lines some more interesting than others.

1st, 2nd and final mechanical of the night occurred in the most overgrown area in Havannah Country Park. Not only did Simon have the misfortune of collecting a small branch which duly ripped of his rear mech planting it firmly within his spokes, but 2 minutes later he had a front wheel puncture. Fortunately he wasn’t tubeless so 5  minutes later were off, oh no we weren’t -  the Gollum now has a puncture aagh tubeless !!!

Sometime later we cross Brunton Lane and ride towards Great Park through a rapid tree lined trail, rumour has it that Matt stepped off his bike for a while during lane changes.

Derek, Isobel and Ainis departed for home once we reached the A1, the remainder headed for Bluebell Woods trying to keep Alex in their sights as he weaved through the trees adjacent to Melton Park.
South Gosforth saw Matt, Alex and Jon head through Jesmond Dene for home and the rest travelled back via Newcastle’s training ground before reaching home promptly at 10.00pm.

For info;-
Tubeless puncture

1. Stand back amazed and disappointed.
2. Spin wheel hoping that the gunge may seal the hole.
3. Attempt to inflate with pump (even though the club members are the proud owners of approximately 300 gas cartridges)
4. Take the wheel off and perform a windmill type motion
5. Failed Inflation attempt 2
6. Remove the tyre
7. Check for fluid
8. Remove expensive fluid
9. Remove all previous thorns (5 mins min)
10. Grudgingly borrow a tube
11. Install tube
12. Inflate
13. Once you get home.
14. Remove tube
15. Make tyre tubeless again
16. Return tube

Tubed Puncture:-

1. Remove wheel and tyre
2. Remove thorn, insert tube and inflate
3. Ride off
4. Put a patch on your old tube whilst having your tea and watching x factor.

Can’t see what all the fuss is about.

and The Gollum Responds!

First, I've never been so embarrassed (OK, you're right, I have) as I was when my puncture struck. For some reason I was carrying NOTHING in the way of tubes, pumps, patches or tools of any kind, so thanks to all who responded so brilliantly with offers of kit and help, especially poor Geoff who really got the thick of the mechanicals to sort tonight, and he only rides with us occassionally! Thank you all for your courteous patience or impatience.

However, my poxy rear Bontrager Jones XR tyre (now scrapped) just slid open when that branch pierced it whereas any decent one would have maybe holed but stayed in one piece to give the magic Stan's fluid a chance to plug it again, which it always has in the past (the few times I've noticed having a puncture at all).

Since the bulk of us went tubeless my research PROVES that group puntures are running at 2.5% of their previous rate. I rest my case, Penny Farthing riders.

Spend three hours in your garage setting up tubeless tyres (OK then, four maybe) so you don't have to look at a telly screen.

Or. more realistically with Tubeless:

1. get puncture
2. keep riding coz you don't even know
3. fuss? what fuss?

And just to finish - why does the Speedian run tubeless on two cars and a motorbike??? (tee, hee).

Over to you Ian!!!!!!!