We got as far as Crab Hill Lane before encountering the G3s pulled over with their first puncture. The G2.5 group got a little further... Lingfield before yours truly experienced something I've never seen before: a tyre blown off the rim! It didn't take long to fix but the same tyre then punctured properly just a few hundred yards further on. 

During the various puncture fixes, Nick Curran resurgent and apparently with a list of riders to 'tick off his list' as he overtakes them in fitness (he has been doing 'secret training' apparently!) prowled up and down the road adding extra miles to that Spartan-like regime he's clearly on.

We made it to Chartwell to find that other rides had suffered similar puncture-prone rides including the curse of the first time blow-out from Jon Cooper's pal (in the photo) who had a tyre slashed rim-to-rim.

The return journey via Pootings and Dairy lane saw one more puncture along with some Curran challenges on small inclines to keep everyone warm. 

The way out saw a decidedly higher than G2 average of 15.8mph from my group with Frank's being decidedly more sensible.  The total was 44miles at 15mph dead on by my odometer.

Thanks to everyone, particularly Francis who helped out with every puncture en route.

Adrian