4 of us did a 70 mile audax on Saturday. Paul Mellors, Sue Revill, Sue Adams and me. Starting from Ludford near Wragby, the route headed south into the fresh wind to the first control and café stop in Woodhall Spa. We then turned along some delightful wooded lanes out towards Skegness and Mablethorpe. Just after Old Bolingbroke my front tyre exploded, with a sidewall blowout. We managed to patch it up and put a new tube in, but the tyre had a distinct bulge in it. The next control was at Alford Wheelers club room and I enquired if there was a bike shop in town. There was, but it was shut, but the guy manning the control managed to find me an old tyre that they had hanging around the clubhouse. It was a 28mm Panaracer Pasela but it fitted fine and I was able to continue with the rest of the ride without worries. It was a tough last section with lots of ups and downs through the Wolds with a troublesome crosswind. We made in back in good time, just over 6 hours elapsed time and 4h 45m riding time for 68 miles. We also managed to stay dry throughout, though we saw some threatening black clouds and could see rain n the distance.
A nice ride on some very quiet lanes, though some road surfaces were really bad. It would be a good one to do again, but they said the might not run it again due to a disappointing entry.
Go steady on Panaracer Pasela. You'll probably be OK but I had a blowout with one in May on the Carlton Flyer Weekend Tour. The folding ones are only suitable for crochet rims.
When I bought the Raleigh Record Ace, I was delighted that the previous owner had put to brand new Panaracer Pasela amber walls on. Much to my chagrin, I later learnt the hard way that folding tyres are not compatible with the hookless rims.
Still managed to ride over 20 miles on electrical tape though!!!