I turned 100 a couple of days ago. 100 metric, that is, I'm 62 in imperial measurements. I've been waiting a long time to make that joke 😂

Amber and I rode the Triple Loop 600k staff ride last weekend and it went well except that it didn't. The first 200k went smoothly and we completed it without even trying hard in 9 hours 10 minutes. The Shell at the turnaround was closed for refurbishment so we used the Mobil next door. It looks as though it will be closed on the day of the event too.

We decided to ride the inland loop next to see if motorized traffic on the upper SART was still a problem in the evenings, and it is, so I made the right decision to leave this for the third loop. We were on our target 12.5 mph overall average as we approached the turnaround when Amber got a rear-wheel flat on her supposedly indestructible Schwalbe Marathons. 

We fixed it, no problem, then two miles later the master link on my new chain failed! I suspect it was not installed correctly. I whipped out my chain tool and fixed it. I had watched a video on YouTube on how to fix a bicycle chain. I should also have watched a video on how to install a bicycle chain because I did it exactly wrong and it took me 10 minutes to thread the chain instead of the 20 seconds it should have taken. Apparently the trick is to thread from the top. Then gravity helps you instead of hindering.

We kept riding and fifty miles later my fix broke. This time the side plates were bent so I couldn't fix it without pliers to bend them back. I threw the chain away, and asked Amber to ride the last 20 miles to the hotel and come get me. In the meantime I walked to the park entrance to meet her. The thing is, now that I have watched the right videos, I could have fixed the chain again (or even properly the first time).

I have a new phrase "All the tools, still a fool".

The upside is that even after 400k with significant climbing, we both felt great and perfectly ready to ride some more. I think we're up for the Crackerswamp in November. I have a new chain which I installed myself (after buying a Parks chain hook). If it comes off now I know who to blame. I also have to replace a bottle cage because the weld on one failed during the ride. That was the least of my problems.

Talking about bottle cages, it occurred to me I could 3D print a bottle cage holder that attaches to the bag mount on the front of my Brompton so I did it. I could not find anyone selling this. It's very cool.

Brompton Water Bottle Holder 3D drawing

Brompton Water Bottle Holder in action

I took it for a short test ride today and it works like a charm. It is very easy to get the bottles in and out while riding - certainly no more difficult than a road bike. I could also replace one of the bottles with a tool bag that is designed to fit into a cage. I used some low-end bottle cages that are exceptional value for money.

I got some great feedback on this on CycleChat.