Golden Beeches cycle ride organised by CTC South Bucks is a diary must in October. A choice of 3 rides, Fiona & David cycled the short 20 miler, Pete & Lisa joined the Medium 30 mile. Carolyn, twin sister Christina and friend Roz took the Hilly 56 cycle challenge.
Golden Beeches are the trees with their autumnal leaves, golds, reds, bronze lining our cycle route over the Chiltern Hills. With the added nature spotting of Deer, muntjack's and "Red Kites" soaring in the Sky.
Unfortunately the heavy downpour of rain, wet leaves and steep hills are a nasty combination for cyclists. The 'back marker' (on the long ride) decided to overtake on the inside where the wet leaves were masking drains & deep puddles; he traversed the steep section of a hill across the leaves, his front wheel flew off and he crashed onto the concrete. He was lucky, walking wounded, a kind neighbour drove him to Stoke Mandeville for a check up. The bike we did try to fix but the aluminium frame took the impact with bent spokes and forks.
Don't be put off though you just need Good Brakes, nerves of steel are a must for this ride and its a great way to end the season!
Golden Beeches are the trees with their autumnal leaves, golds, reds, bronze lining our cycle route over the Chiltern Hills. With the added nature spotting of Deer, muntjack's and "Red Kites" soaring in the Sky.
Unfortunately the heavy downpour of rain, wet leaves and steep hills are a nasty combination for cyclists. The 'back marker' (on the long ride) decided to overtake on the inside where the wet leaves were masking drains & deep puddles; he traversed the steep section of a hill across the leaves, his front wheel flew off and he crashed onto the concrete. He was lucky, walking wounded, a kind neighbour drove him to Stoke Mandeville for a check up. The bike we did try to fix but the aluminium frame took the impact with bent spokes and forks.
Don't be put off though you just need Good Brakes, nerves of steel are a must for this ride and its a great way to end the season!
From Carolyn Beer
Pete and Lisa joined the Medium Group after the welcome tea and cakes. 20 riders split into two groups of 10, each with a leader and a rear guard (take note SWLDA!) The day was one of challenging, damp, leaf-covered lanes giving us three stops to chat whilst different people demonstrated puncture repairs.
Lunch was at the Catherine Wheel, Henley (JD Weatherspoon) and then more lanes and a steady climb and drop down to West Wycombe, by now in bright sunshine after the early drizzle. A climb up past the Golden Ball provided the added bonus of over 30 red kites soaring overhead and even the local dog walkers could be heard exclaiming that they'd never seen so many all together.
A clever, Google image based quiz followed by an excellent roast dinner (a big plate of spaghetti and veggie sauce for the vegetarians) and then a slide show of highlights from CTC tours given by John Gosnell rounded off a super day for us.
(Basic tale Pete, typing and re-editing Lisa!)
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