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| Peppertree does an awesome lunch |
-- Great Coromandel Spring Equinox Dream Ride (GCSEDR), Sunday 24 September 2012
The ride went well. Mostly.
Twelve riders.
Shaky start - snapped chain riding out the gate.
Thankfully, a spare chain and chain link in garage stock (and thankfully Andrew, unlike me, appreciated the difference between outside and inside links).
The bunch was kind enough to wait and we departed 10-or-so minutes behind schedule.
No matter.
Wet Auckland roads, but no rain till the final hilly leg before Coromandel town.
Persistent headwind all the way to Coro.
But not too bad.
Two punctures (one rider) before Clevedon.
Business as usual to Kaiaua.
Good coffee.
Shop newspaper stand promotes disturbing headline - eel enters mans arse, or something.
Onward, to that quaint semi-rural hamlet where the goldfish-eyed P-addled samurai sword enthusiast Andrew Dixon severed his girlfriend's hands.
At that point someone said Chris Taylor's wheel wobbled, but testing showed no wobble.
An illusion?
No, it was a broken frame (chainstay) wobble.
Day over for Chris.
Did his wife respond to the SOS call?
Mark kindly offered moral support.
The garden centre lunch is always good.
Toilets groaned - Not you guys again. All of you, sick.
A moderately windy slog up the coast to our favourite set of hills.
Body and soul shook hands and went to their respective corners.
Peppertree kindly organised a private lunch room...with heater.
"Strippers, too?" someone enquired.
Lamb burgers and fish popular choices.
Beer was as tasty as last time.
Post ride thoughts:
- Good idea? Hell yeah. Good timing, especially for people eyeing up K1/2 and Taupo
- Consider scheduling ride for first daylight saving weekend (this weekend) for more end-of-day sunlight (better for wobble home). Though that means darker start
- Chains and frames the weakest links. I always pack a chain link, but not sure what can be done about frame breaks
- Packing a change of clothes was a good idea
- Personally, I prefer the Hunua route: less traffic (especially boat traffic between Clevedon and Kawakawa) and a superior bucolic setting. But both options are lovely
Roll on February.....
Todd's an imposter,....
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