Puffing Billy – easy on the eye, hard on the gear

Dartmoor's Puffing Billy dismantled railway track is what accounts to "gravel" around here. It's a scenic ride from my house up to Red Lake, but about as gentle as a kick in the teeth on the descent.

First, my Garmin Edge broke off (I turned around and found it – intact apart from the mount on the back) and then a little later I hit a rock with a nasty "crack" when I had to leave my line for a couple of MTBs coming the other way. I first thought I got away with it, but then the front tyre slowly deflated and on inspection the rim had horrible crack. (RIP)

I pushed my bike the last mile and half back home, glad it didn't happen further up the track. An "emergency" front wheel is already on order, so I can keep riding until I've sorted out a proper crash replacement with my wheel builder (which for geographical reasons will have to wait until next month.)

Still, not a bad afternoon in the sunshine despite the woes.