I managed to take camera with me and come back with no photos at all (probably a good thing given my photographic skills). Obviously believing that words speak larger than actions...
- no mechanicals. While accurate in the strict sense, we (ok, Dave) did experience two electrical issues within the first 4 miles. And then an innertube malfunction (but only as we left the cafe in Hay-on-Wye and then on the condition that we fixed it as a group). Obviously we did not point out that his modern Di2 equipped bike cost 4 times the cost of the other four bikes put together as that would have been crass.
- Karl on his 35 pound Harrier (that's 35lb for £35). Awesome stuff, the evaporating brake blocks were a particularly nice touch. It was so obviously hewn from solid win that we didn't even bother with voting for bike of the ride.
- many thanks to markyp for the tea and cake in Hay, carrot cake has rarely tasted so good.
- Karl, showing up with apres ride beer from the Church End Brewery, tasty.
- tarloone stating that he'd only returned to cycling 2 years before and showing us up as frauds on each climb. And then revealing, post ride, that he'd done an event in France in the summer that involved three consecutive 100 mile days. The grimpeurs build should have been a clue but 'well played sir'!
- being told that I looked 'smooth and seated' on a climb and having to issue a reminder that a gentleman only gets out of the saddle on the gallop.
Bottom line is thanks to all for making it a smashing day of memorable riding in great company.