A motley crew of 7 arrived at Hatley Gardens, the majority having biked from home. We didn't get too far before Rusty had a flat on a 1 day old tube, right in front of the Outpost Bike Shop [warning this is a FarceBook page]near Luxton Fairgrounds. This is less than 100 yards from another flat Rusty had not long ago. He has lost the "no flat" crown for a while and indeed he will be asked to return his “Rusty Nail” award!. He ended up buying a new "puncture proof" tire and new tube from the shop. The bike mechanic said his brakes needed adjusting and did that for him too. The mechanic was asked if he could put his brakes "half on" to slow him down a bit but the request was declined.

Doug's award this year should be a rear view mirror, as he left us at the lights by the bike shop not knowing Rusty had a flat and rode all the way to My Chosen Cafe before noticing we were not with him, and then having to ride almost all the way back. Doug probably had too much energy as he drove to the start point, and the only other one who did that was "the late Norm Tatlow" (who was actually on time).

Clearly, the plunging oil price was discussed over the coffee break, with gas at 96c/litre in many spots [79c in Edmonton]

Prepared by Norm T. & Jim