On Sunday, I had arranged to meet my CTC East Surrey friends at Purley for a ride over the Surrey South Downs to Rusper in East Sussex. There was light rain when I left home at 7.30, not cold, and very little wind. However, by the time we were up on the Downs at 9.00 the weather had taken a turn for the worse, and we were soon battling the elements. After the mid-moring stop at Waitrose's cafe in Horley, we soldiered on to The Royal Oak at Rusper arriving at 13.00 like drowned, frozen rats. Unfortunately, the open fires were not lit, and any type of food (let alone hot) was not on offer, only a rather frosty greeting from the bar staff to five sodden cyclists dripping all water all over the pub.
Like a fool, I only came out in mitts, and by the time we had left the pub my hands were practically stuck to the bars. Luckily Patrick lent me a spare pair of surgical gloves (he uses them when changing tyres). As the day prolonged, the rain turned to sleet, and the wind blew stronger, I realised how vital these glove were. Without them I am sure the cold would have severely damaged my fingers. As it is, my finger tips are still numb with pins and needles 2 days later!
Be warned: do not underestimate the effect of a combination of the cold, rain, sleet and don’t forget the wind chill factor!
Like a fool, I only came out in mitts, and by the time we had left the pub my hands were practically stuck to the bars. Luckily Patrick lent me a spare pair of surgical gloves (he uses them when changing tyres). As the day prolonged, the rain turned to sleet, and the wind blew stronger, I realised how vital these glove were. Without them I am sure the cold would have severely damaged my fingers. As it is, my finger tips are still numb with pins and needles 2 days later!
Be warned: do not underestimate the effect of a combination of the cold, rain, sleet and don’t forget the wind chill factor!
