**RIDE REPORT**
the day started off chilly and breezy, Rousing my buddy with a cup of tea and a kick we got ready for the day. Porridge and coffee later we got down to the bikes to find Mick already here.
A quick brush down to get rid of the last rides mud, an oil of the chain and we were set.
Quick ride to the station and a chat whilst we waited for the train..
Falling out of the train and we were met by Danno, Ian and Marcus from another carriage and a Green Rabbit on the platform.
The ride up to the fisheries went without incident, but shortly after the pleasant cycle by the lakes we got our first mechanical - a flat tyre. Quickly changed (as best as I could manage anyway) we carried on, only to be brought up short again not much further on mid climb by our second. Me again, this time a touch more serious..
Caught by a bramble, the mech had been pulled into the wheel and ripped out of the hangar. Still, undaunted I walked to the top of the hill and the salvage operation began.
Single speed my only option, I attempted to find some happy medium between slippage, ramping, centrifugal force and chain line. in the end though it was all bollocks and I was screwed
Wu and Klein Mad Chris joined us during the cursing and admitting defeat for the time being we moved on towards the cafe.
Freewheeling down and pushing up, everyone took pity and we adjusted for the shortest possible route to the cafe.
More fannying about shortening the chain came to no avail. Fortunately, Klein Mad Chris came to the rescue and lent me one of the bikes in his cave. So while the rest of the group set about on the first proper trail of the day, Chris and I set off to his cave to collect a weekend warrior full-sus Whyte.
On arriving back at the cafe we found that the rest of the group has just finished their loop, a quick once over and "oohs" and "aaahs" from the group, a pasty and some chocolate, and we were set to go when from out of the woods marched a chap with a bird.
He quickly off-loaded it on Marcus and went to get himself a cuppa..
Wu had already peeled off, and fearing that we wouldn't have time to complete the SDW we set off for a quick loop round the woods again.
Anthony announced his arrival just before we finished that loop and once we'd said our hellos we set off again. Ian, Marcus and Anthony finishing the ride on the SDW, Danno, Mick, my buddy, TGR and myself choosing a more direct ride back through Angmering estate.
Some fairly serious hills, very sore legs, an empty stomach and a very serious craving for a pint later we arrived back home. Most of us (except me) had been riding and chatting for some 7.5 hours.
Great day out