A few years ago I was on a hosteling off-road weekend with the club, at Arundel I believe. Well, half way thro the first day, I caught the rear mech on a fallen branch, and it was well mullered. So I removed said item and shortened the chain, and carried on manfully. After lunch stop, unknown to me, 2 of the 'lads' peeled off, rode back to the hostel, got changed, drove to Halfords in Chichester I believe , and came back with a new mech and chain. I was astonished at their thoughtfulness. For the rest of the weekend I received more than my fair share of 'banter'. I did not mind a jot, the way I see it, rightly or wrongly, is that blokes are different. We never say 'nice' things to good mates, it's the exact opposite, the closer the friendship is, the more the jibing, it's a male term of endearment. Any way ,glad you all had a splendid time, and it sounds as if Cycleman was indeed very lucky, and quite skilled at evasive manoeuvring. PB did a splendid job of organising, I'm sure, and I'll try and make it next year.
