Chit Chat - Sunday Ride to Bello, 21st March
Despite the offer to start at Coffs Town Square, the majority voted with their wheels and elected to start at Perry's Hill. Driving past our gallant leader, Ian and a couple of intrepid followers, Robert and I arrived at Perry's Hill at about 7.45. We had almost recovered from the previous days multiple flats, torn tyre and bent valve (you heard right, bent valve, not 'bent' rider. There is a recumbent rider website called 'bentrider.com'.
Fearlessly, risking derision from the faster riders, Ian said he had regretted suggesting the average speed for the South Arm Trek was 25kph in front of the assembled throng (about 25 riders). He described 25 kph as being optimistic, even for the fast riders taking the hills into account. Methinks he is a little modest. Ian said everyone was welcome to join. No rider would be left behind.
Thinking ahead all the time, the true members of the Café Latte set thought: "hmm, it's about 16km to Bello via North Bank Rd, and 22km via South Arm Rd with some doozy hills." Our decision was sealed by the impending clouds, and the size of the South Arm group - those who get to the coffee shop first get served first. So, Robert P, Robert G, Jim, Chris and Carolyn opted for North Bank Rd.
Carolyn's decision was also influenced by the fact that she had dragged her trike (with flat tyre) back from Coffs Creek to the Marina the previous day - enough is enough. The experience brought new meaning to "dragged through a bush backwards". Carolyn had just about dried out from riding in the pouring rain when she got the flat, and was not a happy woman. Thank God, the beginner's were happy to go to Macauley's and back on their own - so they were not privy to Carolyn's bad mood following the flat. Robert was off trying resolve his tyre issues. So, he fortunately, escaped this aspect of domestic bliss. After all, it was he who got Carolyn into cycling so it was his fault, wasn't it? Sigh, back to Sunday's ride...
As calculated the Café Latte set arrived at Bello first, and went to the Butter Factory. Unfortunately, the rest of the BUG were at the Swiss Patiss. Why can't they keep up? The Swiss Patiss is closed on Sundays. But, like the true cyclists they are, they foraged successfully and I hear the pies were yummy.
Before lunch, Carolyn ducked out to the loo - no, not to avail herself of the toilet facilities but rather to wash her hands a little more thoroughly than the quick roadside wet grass wash. I hear you thinking "not another flat?" No, it was splash back from cycling through the cow shit on the road. Yup, I've finally found a disadvantage to the recumbent - cow poo can land on your hand. Whammo!
Meanwhile, Jim arrived at the Butter Factory to tell us that Chong, on his carbon-fibre recumbent bike, was one of the early arrivals from the South Arm Group. Go, Chong! How was Hospital Hill on the recumbent? Yee ha ... !
It rained over lunch, and as we started home along North Bank Road, a steamy humidity pervaded Bellingen, as only it can in Bello . Carolyn whizzed past Wally kindly changing Judy's tube. It was Judy's second flat. Carolyn did not stop - between the "flats" yesterday, the humidity and the aforementioned poop, she was running on emotional empty.
Judy then whizzed past Carolyn, asking "how many more hills? enough with the hills!" To which Carolyn replied "Just Perry's". Judy also made the observation that she had never seen anyone change a tube faster than Wally. Wally you rock! Thank you. Judy also resolved to never buy cheap $3 tubes again, and to throw out all the ones she has at home. This was before she got her third flat!
On arrival at the car park, Ian asked Carolyn "Is everyone back? and if there had been any more incidents?"
"No, Martin's not back, he's got leg cramps and might need some help" said Carolyn. Ian looked simultaneously crestfallen and sympathetic.
Carolyn then said "What incident's?" only to have David say: "Harry was lucky - he went A over T but he's OK except for grazes and his helmet." Thank goodness for helmets!
Harry discovered the ambos at Bello ambulance station are very nice - they patched him up and his helmet as well! They knew that a helmet is equivalent to a cyclist's teddy-bear! Our best friend.
Harry has a red mark on his forehead from his helmet, lots of deep nasty grazes on his arm, some under his shirt on his shoulder, and a patched up knee (no stitches needed). He won't be using that helmet again! Take it easy over the next few days, Harry. Wendy reminded Harry that a tetanus shot was advisable within 24 hours if he had not had one in the last 12 months. Thanks, Wendy. Lock jaw would not be much fun for a cyclist as we love to chat.
Fortunately, at this stage Martin could be seen walking his bike up the hill, so he was ok and did not need any further help.
Nurse Wendy suggested we should all carry a 4" crepe bandage. This, and a couple of band-aids are probably all we really need for first-aid where we ride. The crepe bandage is great for a compression bandage if bitten by a snake. Wot? A snake. Yes, folks, cyclists can unwittingly run over a snake and incur its wrath. There was a red bellied black on Hogbin Drive cycle path on Thursday.
The bandage is also useful for immobilising a fracture or shoulder-injury, and can be used as a pad to stem blood loss.
Thorough wound cleaning and attention can wait until you're back at base, and any more than this an ambulance anyway.
Ian has suggested Endura is good for preventing / easing leg cramps. There are other products cyclists use. Everyone has their favourite - have a chat with others and you may find one that helps you. It will not solve everyone's problem, but it might be worth a try before seeking medical advice.
Others also suggested unrefined sea salt from the health food store (not table salt) for cramps, and eating bananas (they're high in potassium) before / during the ride as a snack. (Thank you to Robert and Rochelle for these).
Lessons learned:
1. Don't buy cheap tubes.
2. Carry a 4" crepe bandage and a few band-aids.
3. Always wear a helmet. Always.
4. Try a sports drink eg. Endura for replacing body salts.
5. The window of opportunity for a tetanus shot is 24 hours. They have currency for about 12 months.
6. Park at the bottom of Perry's Hill in future. We still haven't learned this one - where is it suggested we meet next Sunday? Perry's Hill Lookout.
Thanks must go to Ian Scott, our president, for his leadership today. It mustn't be easy when things go "wrong". For the most part, the rest of us just get to enjoy the ride.
Thanks, Ian.
Carolyn
Fearlessly, risking derision from the faster riders, Ian said he had regretted suggesting the average speed for the South Arm Trek was 25kph in front of the assembled throng (about 25 riders). He described 25 kph as being optimistic, even for the fast riders taking the hills into account. Methinks he is a little modest. Ian said everyone was welcome to join. No rider would be left behind.
Thinking ahead all the time, the true members of the Café Latte set thought: "hmm, it's about 16km to Bello via North Bank Rd, and 22km via South Arm Rd with some doozy hills." Our decision was sealed by the impending clouds, and the size of the South Arm group - those who get to the coffee shop first get served first. So, Robert P, Robert G, Jim, Chris and Carolyn opted for North Bank Rd.
Carolyn's decision was also influenced by the fact that she had dragged her trike (with flat tyre) back from Coffs Creek to the Marina the previous day - enough is enough. The experience brought new meaning to "dragged through a bush backwards". Carolyn had just about dried out from riding in the pouring rain when she got the flat, and was not a happy woman. Thank God, the beginner's were happy to go to Macauley's and back on their own - so they were not privy to Carolyn's bad mood following the flat. Robert was off trying resolve his tyre issues. So, he fortunately, escaped this aspect of domestic bliss. After all, it was he who got Carolyn into cycling so it was his fault, wasn't it? Sigh, back to Sunday's ride...
As calculated the Café Latte set arrived at Bello first, and went to the Butter Factory. Unfortunately, the rest of the BUG were at the Swiss Patiss. Why can't they keep up? The Swiss Patiss is closed on Sundays. But, like the true cyclists they are, they foraged successfully and I hear the pies were yummy.
Before lunch, Carolyn ducked out to the loo - no, not to avail herself of the toilet facilities but rather to wash her hands a little more thoroughly than the quick roadside wet grass wash. I hear you thinking "not another flat?" No, it was splash back from cycling through the cow shit on the road. Yup, I've finally found a disadvantage to the recumbent - cow poo can land on your hand. Whammo!
Meanwhile, Jim arrived at the Butter Factory to tell us that Chong, on his carbon-fibre recumbent bike, was one of the early arrivals from the South Arm Group. Go, Chong! How was Hospital Hill on the recumbent? Yee ha ... !
It rained over lunch, and as we started home along North Bank Road, a steamy humidity pervaded Bellingen, as only it can in Bello . Carolyn whizzed past Wally kindly changing Judy's tube. It was Judy's second flat. Carolyn did not stop - between the "flats" yesterday, the humidity and the aforementioned poop, she was running on emotional empty.
Judy then whizzed past Carolyn, asking "how many more hills? enough with the hills!" To which Carolyn replied "Just Perry's". Judy also made the observation that she had never seen anyone change a tube faster than Wally. Wally you rock! Thank you. Judy also resolved to never buy cheap $3 tubes again, and to throw out all the ones she has at home. This was before she got her third flat!
On arrival at the car park, Ian asked Carolyn "Is everyone back? and if there had been any more incidents?"
"No, Martin's not back, he's got leg cramps and might need some help" said Carolyn. Ian looked simultaneously crestfallen and sympathetic.
Carolyn then said "What incident's?" only to have David say: "Harry was lucky - he went A over T but he's OK except for grazes and his helmet." Thank goodness for helmets!
Harry discovered the ambos at Bello ambulance station are very nice - they patched him up and his helmet as well! They knew that a helmet is equivalent to a cyclist's teddy-bear! Our best friend.
Harry has a red mark on his forehead from his helmet, lots of deep nasty grazes on his arm, some under his shirt on his shoulder, and a patched up knee (no stitches needed). He won't be using that helmet again! Take it easy over the next few days, Harry. Wendy reminded Harry that a tetanus shot was advisable within 24 hours if he had not had one in the last 12 months. Thanks, Wendy. Lock jaw would not be much fun for a cyclist as we love to chat.
Fortunately, at this stage Martin could be seen walking his bike up the hill, so he was ok and did not need any further help.
Nurse Wendy suggested we should all carry a 4" crepe bandage. This, and a couple of band-aids are probably all we really need for first-aid where we ride. The crepe bandage is great for a compression bandage if bitten by a snake. Wot? A snake. Yes, folks, cyclists can unwittingly run over a snake and incur its wrath. There was a red bellied black on Hogbin Drive cycle path on Thursday.
The bandage is also useful for immobilising a fracture or shoulder-injury, and can be used as a pad to stem blood loss.
Thorough wound cleaning and attention can wait until you're back at base, and any more than this an ambulance anyway.
Ian has suggested Endura is good for preventing / easing leg cramps. There are other products cyclists use. Everyone has their favourite - have a chat with others and you may find one that helps you. It will not solve everyone's problem, but it might be worth a try before seeking medical advice.
Others also suggested unrefined sea salt from the health food store (not table salt) for cramps, and eating bananas (they're high in potassium) before / during the ride as a snack. (Thank you to Robert and Rochelle for these).
Lessons learned:
1. Don't buy cheap tubes.
2. Carry a 4" crepe bandage and a few band-aids.
3. Always wear a helmet. Always.
4. Try a sports drink eg. Endura for replacing body salts.
5. The window of opportunity for a tetanus shot is 24 hours. They have currency for about 12 months.
6. Park at the bottom of Perry's Hill in future. We still haven't learned this one - where is it suggested we meet next Sunday? Perry's Hill Lookout.
Thanks must go to Ian Scott, our president, for his leadership today. It mustn't be easy when things go "wrong". For the most part, the rest of us just get to enjoy the ride.
Thanks, Ian.
Carolyn
Labels: BUG rides
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