Howard and Joe were on hand to make sure everything was running smoothly and there was a guest appearance from Yeti Stu who was helping to set the bikes up prior to each test ride. We had sold the Epic to help fund the replacement, but Molly has so far been unconvinced of the advantages of full suspension for the type of riding she likes to do. Despite the fact that the standard alloy ASR5 with a mid range parts build was noticeably heavier than Molly's Stumpy hardtail (and perhaps the old Epic too), it was pretty obvious how good the bike was as soon as I got on board. We were barely off the road for fifty yards when Molly mentioned it too. It is extremely responsive and appears to translate every ounce of effort into speed across the ground. The fact that it also has quite a low BB height for a full-suspension bike just makes it feel more stable. It is a completely sorted ride.
So, five minutes into the alloted hour, we knew it was meant to be - now what colour ?
The following day we managed an afternoon on the Downs and got a few miles in before tomorrow's operation. Another almost perfect day on the trails with spring sunshine, fantastic visibility and a cool breeze. It was also the chance to break out the 575 and remind myself about how much fun this bike is.
We rode from Bo Peep car park, through Alfriston and took the bridleway from Litlington and up the nasty (but reasonably short) climb from Oldkiln Bottom to the South Downs Way and then north towards Wilmington and down Windover Hill for a change. It was at some stage during the ride that it was mentioned how much better the ASR5 would have been ...
The perfect end to Molly's ride involves sitting in Badgers Tea Shop garden, in the sun, with a BLT and a pot of tea while I ride back to get the car and join her for toasted tea cakes and a latte.
Off to the Indian now for a nice Jalfrezi and then I am on stoppage in preparation for tomorrow's operation. Fingers crossed that it all goes ahead this time ...
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