4th. Carpenter Marque ride
11thAugust 2019
We’ve had numbers from 6 to 18 on this annual ride. This time it was a baker’s dozen who congregated at The Reading Room in Brockham, tempted by Jean-Paul Burch’s promise of a varied route on quiet country back-roads of Surrey. J-P, my brother and I all took fixed-wheel Carpenters, prepared to walk once or twice if the slopes got too steep. Pete Evans came with his latest acquisition, wisely fitted out with a Sturmey Archer gear. So he at least was prepared for any hills! By the way, his transport to Brockham had been a period-correct, beautifully patinated 1955 VW camper. Ooooh, luverly! The bikes weren’t all Carpenters… we’re happy to spend the day with anyone willing to be seen in our company. This year Greg Folwell was joined by his daughter Anna on a real gem of a ‘barn find’, an all-original ’55 A.F.Mills; Richard Williamson, who knows these lanes well, brought his Carpenter fitted with Campag gears. He also brought along ‘Mafia Tony’ Mazzola on a Specialized Roubaix and Geoff Redhead on a Colnago. What did these three know that we didn’t about J-P’s ‘friendly’ route? Felix Omerod brought a lovely Ephgrave No.1, Chris “Tommy” Rees again used the Peugeot PR10L he’s had since his (recent) youth. Martin Wikner was on a pre-war single-speed Royal Enfield, his wife Sharon on a Pashley that he’d kitted out with an electric drive conversion. Now that really wasa topic of conversation! ‘Would the battery last the 32 miles?’ we privately wondered. Let’s find out! Coffee done we breezed out of Brockham, straight into the back lanes. The rain held off, the sun peeped through, the hedgerows were gorgeous. We had a good day in store! The road undulated lumpily then we hit our first real hill. Some of us cheerfully walked. Not ‘Kilowatt’ Sharon. No. Zoom. She was soon up. Remember, we were in the challenging foothills of the Col du Leith Hill. Now that was impressive.
Those who’ve done one of the Eroica rides know all about unpaved roads. Dusty Tuscan gravel or bone-rattling Derbyshire cobbles. Jean-Paul was merciful. Just one kilometre of reasonably surfaced track and we were back on the black stuff without grief. The banter picked up again. The thought of Tanhouse Farm cake stop loomed large.
But first we had time for a little entertainment. Everyone knows how every self-respecting cyclist just loves a chance to show off his skills at riveting chains. John ‘Horsepower’ Bedingfield obliged by somehow breaking a link. Quick as a flash at least four riveters appeared, eager mechanics attached. Tools were tipped out of bags in search of that elusive spare 1/8” link. Snap Snap! J-P donned surgical gloves. A few of us recoiled with watery-eyed nervousness. But we were all safe. A few minutes of banter and we were underway again – only to find that our cake stop was – literally – just 100 yards round the next bend. We could have been enjoying a cuppa while we watched the fun. At Tanhouse Farm, to our delight, we were met by Pete Kennish and his original Carpenter race bike from his days with Festival RC, Frank Carpenter’s club. It’s always good to see these bikes still cherished and used.
Eventually we had to tear ourselves away. My legs were muttering “It’s not the Bordeaux-Paris!”. Sharon’s electric Pashley was looking more and more like a Derny to me. Could she pace me back up to the lead group? Well, she might have done if I could have held her wheel. Yes, that battery still packed a punch. A group of fit looking young riders came up behind. All that was left was to challenge them to the next 30 sign. They won. Easily. Well, actually, we all won. Thanks, Jean-Paul for a great day out. Sumptuous countryside, quiet lanes, dry & warm weather, convivial company, expert planning and leading. Oh, and some gorgeous machinery. Afterwards, yet more cake plus a chance to buzz around Brockham green with electric power. Who could ask for more?
Next year is our Carpenter Centenary ride, something special is our aim. Road bikes – yes… but apply some 3-In-1 to that track machine too; and watch this space.