What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Malcolm Parker]

I took the Pytchley out for a run this afternoon.  I wanted to give it a decent test as I would like to use it for the PWA7C Cumbria Run in July.   The weather was quite cool and damp but I was very snug in the draught-free saloon.
After calling in Thirsk for some petrol (E5 at £1.54 per litre) I headed out for Kilburn, then tackled the steep 1 in 4 White Horse Bank.      The Pytchley romped up in 2nd and 3rd gears (CR 4 speed box), even taking the fearsome lower hairpin on 2nd.
Then it was down to Rievaulx, past the Abbey and up the bank and down into Hawnby.       The climb out of Hawnby needed 1st gear but I was exercising caution as there was a cycle event with dozens of mountain bikes coming towards me.    
The most demanding part of the run was the descent of Sneck Yate, 1 in 4 gradient with hairpin bends.  This was the first time I have come down the bank and pleased to report that in 2nd gear the brakes coped very well.