Patrick takes a tumble ...

Well it had to happen sometime ... and it was the highlight of an otherwise very relaxed day.

We left at the usual time - around eight - but very leisurely due to it not being a race day. Due to security issues and potential traffic issues. The road ended up being very sparsely populated by vehicles, good quality, flat and open. We had much more problems with unruly kids ... hitting us, throwing stones, begging and generally being irritating. Andrew, Remy and myself again charged along together - welcome to slicks Remy - but ended up enjoying a very nice and relaxed day with Gerhard and Vivian.

The usual security concerns resulted in some riders having to wait 30 minutes, as they were held up at a check point till half of us were together ... and then had to continue in convoy for the last section.

Patrick (moi) took the liberty to plant himself face down on the road and take two fellow riders down with himself. Many apologies to Remy and Janet!! We were crossing a railway line running diagonally across the road - paved all round by cobble stones - and my front wheel slipped out from under myself.

Grazed/gashed right knee, right elbow and a bruised right hip (greater trochanter) ... most significantly a hugely bruised ego ... ;-)

Oh ... and for that Turquoise Stone - which is believed to help stop people from falling off their horses ... it obviously does not apply to bicycles ...

At the next railway crossing (I was at the back of the group) the police officer stopped the whole bunch again, got off his motorbike and specifically pointed out the crossing to me as I approached ... Thanks!!