Big thanks to Evans Cycles after Sportive disaster!
apreading
Posts: 4,535
My son and I took part in the Evans Rideit Berkshire Downs last Sunday.
All was great - weather perfect, just a few miles to the event and glorious riding ahead.
Checked in and set off on the ride as normal. First mile was an uphill from Newbury racecourse. At the top my son stopped at the roundabout to give way to cars. Unfortunately, the rider behind him didnt and from behind that I just saw the two bodies and bikes mashed together then fall on the floor.
Other rider was great getting son and bike(s) to side of the road to assess. My son was OK but the other rider had a cut on one thigh and a big bruise on the other. Looking at the bikes, the other rider was OK but my son's rear wheel wouldnt turn. It was buckled and even with the (rim) brakes opened up it was so far out that it still rubbed a bit. It also rubbed the mudguard where a cable tie had snapped that held it to the brake caliper and it was now dragging.
Wheeled him back to the start, thinking that was the day over. Just on the off chance, called into the even centre and asked if they had a wheel truing stand - they did not. But then they really won the day because the organiser offered my son his own bike to ride. OK it was flat bars rather than drops but a BMC RoadMachine so a pretty good and light bike. Swapped over pedals, frame bags, bottle cage etc and adjusted saddle height and we were on our way again.
Son never got properly comfortable on the bike (I think it was a bit big and bars a bit too high for him) but liked it more as the ride progressed and still managed Coombe Gibbet. Cut the ride shorter than initially intended, partly because we were tail end charlies having (re)started an hour later than intended and partly because the bike wasnt a perfect fit.
But still - we had a great ride in the sun rather than a sorry trip home at 9am.
We do Evans Rideits alot because they are better organised, smaller and more friendly than alot of others and still a reasonable price. I normally buy in January for the year when there is a BOGOF offer on, so for £25 we get parking, refreshments and someone to set a really good route for us often in areas we dont know. AND mechanical support, which we have never needed before other than to lube a chain thats got a bit squeaky - but when we did need their help, they really came through for us.
Just thought that rather than the usual posts moaning about things that we arent happy with in the world, it was worth posting praise for an occasion where someone went above and beyond and provided truly great service.
Just got to get the wheel trued now...
All was great - weather perfect, just a few miles to the event and glorious riding ahead.
Checked in and set off on the ride as normal. First mile was an uphill from Newbury racecourse. At the top my son stopped at the roundabout to give way to cars. Unfortunately, the rider behind him didnt and from behind that I just saw the two bodies and bikes mashed together then fall on the floor.
Other rider was great getting son and bike(s) to side of the road to assess. My son was OK but the other rider had a cut on one thigh and a big bruise on the other. Looking at the bikes, the other rider was OK but my son's rear wheel wouldnt turn. It was buckled and even with the (rim) brakes opened up it was so far out that it still rubbed a bit. It also rubbed the mudguard where a cable tie had snapped that held it to the brake caliper and it was now dragging.
Wheeled him back to the start, thinking that was the day over. Just on the off chance, called into the even centre and asked if they had a wheel truing stand - they did not. But then they really won the day because the organiser offered my son his own bike to ride. OK it was flat bars rather than drops but a BMC RoadMachine so a pretty good and light bike. Swapped over pedals, frame bags, bottle cage etc and adjusted saddle height and we were on our way again.
Son never got properly comfortable on the bike (I think it was a bit big and bars a bit too high for him) but liked it more as the ride progressed and still managed Coombe Gibbet. Cut the ride shorter than initially intended, partly because we were tail end charlies having (re)started an hour later than intended and partly because the bike wasnt a perfect fit.
But still - we had a great ride in the sun rather than a sorry trip home at 9am.
We do Evans Rideits alot because they are better organised, smaller and more friendly than alot of others and still a reasonable price. I normally buy in January for the year when there is a BOGOF offer on, so for £25 we get parking, refreshments and someone to set a really good route for us often in areas we dont know. AND mechanical support, which we have never needed before other than to lube a chain thats got a bit squeaky - but when we did need their help, they really came through for us.
Just thought that rather than the usual posts moaning about things that we arent happy with in the world, it was worth posting praise for an occasion where someone went above and beyond and provided truly great service.
Just got to get the wheel trued now...
0
Comments
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Nice post, I'd agree with Evans events being well run having done a few.0
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Nice one, Evans ride organiser!
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