Punctures - the new speed dating!

Monday - got the early morning ferry from the Isla Man and decided to cycle to Mrs B's in Hawarden.

Didn't want to cycle all the way aroouuunnnnnd the Mersey or under it so I got another ferry to Seacombe. £3.70 one way - bargain! Not as much of a bargain as the 1 euro crossing from Lisbon to t'other side, but hey. So, on we got - me and bike - and off we got on the other side.

Met a man in lycra and an illuminous top on the boat. Another nutter doing the Land's End to John o Groats. He was 'between contracts' and had decided to cycle North to South. We had a good chat about puctures and routes, luggage and blogs, visibility and sun glasses. It's amazing how many people are actually not working, redundant, between jobs or post-studies are cycling around the country. Next time you see someone on a bicycle take a careful look. They could be an out of work subversive!

Had a good cycle from Seacombe, all was going well until I put the brakes on and my back end started wiggling around. Puncture! My first real puncture of the trip - not too bad to have one in five weeks - so I set about fixing it. Grumpily (I couldn't be bothered) I grunted at bike and half heartedly aim a pathetic exploratory kick at the tyre.

'Are you ok?' A voice asked. I looked up to see blokeonabike.
'Yeah, puncture' I grumbled.

Blokeonabike leapt into action. Was I ok, did I have a pump, could I manage, did I have an inner tube, did I want help?????
'Bravely' (ha) I replied that yes, yes, yes, yes and no...I would be ok, thank you.

What a kind thing to do, I thought. He cycled on, I loosened the back brakes, flipped bike over and started.

'Are you ok?' A voice asked. I looked up to see Blokeonanbike2.
Same conversation, same drill.

I continued.

'Are you ok?' A voice asked. I looked up to see Blokeonabike too!

By the time I had finished no less than five kind blokesonbikes had stopped to offer help. So there you go ladies, if you're considering speed dating, forget it. All you need to do is stand next to an upside down bicyclette with a pump in your hand and men will be drawn to you. Instantly!