What a ride this was. I had set myself a goal of doing a 250 mile ride within 24 hours and this seemed a good chance. However, the weather forecast leading up to the event wasn't great and having heard about the FNRTTC the day before I was nervous to put it mildly. I met up with RB58 at Dartford and we cycled up to London Fields against a headwind, which was promising for the rest of the ride as it would be behind us. Then when we were in Lee the heavens opened and I had visions of a cold wet night. Fortunately this quickly blew over and by the time we went over London Bridge all we could see was blue sky. We arrived early, but already the streets were getting crowded.
I was staggered by the different bikes and riders. I saw one guy so loaded up with stuff, he could have going off camping for a week (maybe he was) But I didn't think it entirely necessary to take a 4 litre bottle of water on top of his already overflowing bike! There were also quite a few fashion icons with equally fashionable colourful fixies. Not sure how there cardigan and lightweight plimsolls would feel after dark in the middle of Suffolk.Joining up with iZap and friend, we left early to avoid the crowds as Ross had previously said how busy it had been at the various stops . But even so, there were several riders out on the route. Very impressed with this one, the dogs seemed happy as well.
The riding up through Epping and into Suffolk was great, the following wind is always flattering and my Garmin was behaving itself as we went through so many quiet and sleepy villages. We got to the refreshment stop at Sible Hedingham as they were opening and were able to leave our bikes by the front door! So no queues and hot soup, which were very welcome. By the time we were leaving it was getting very busy, so our timing was perfect.
A lack of sleep the night before meant that by the time we got to Needham Market I was in a bad way and starting to nod off. I looked around the services on the A14, which was completely shut and in the end I found a quite spot in the shelter of a bin, where I was able to have a sit down snooze for 15 minutes. This was just what I needed to get me going again. The next refreshment stop at the house in the middle of nowhere was the next highlight. Coffee and a bacon roll and a nice chat with User10571 and I was ready for the final leg. The sunrise just outside a village called Bruisyard was brief and spectacular and spurred me on to get to the coast.
By the time I got to Dunwich, my fellow riders were ready to set off again. The Cafe was rammed with a queue out of the door, so I didn't think I would be missing much if I left. Obviously I did get the obligatory photo to prove I got there.
I rode with Ross, iZap and friend for about 15 miles then my tiredness got the better of me again and after nearly falling asleep whilst riding a couple of times, I decided to have another nap. I found a lovely old fashioned bus shelter near Woodbridge and had about 20 mins shuteye. You may have noticed me if you went past. Refreshed I set off again on my own and very soon realised it was a lot harder without someone to shelter behind when cycling into a strong wind. I think the ride was scenic, but this was now about getting home! I had a luck break before Colchester when I stopped at a garage with a Coop shop to get lunch and avoided a very heavy shower, but as I got nearer to Chelmsford the heavens opened with a vengeance. There was no option but to get on with it. Like others before I now realise that sealskin socks aren't so great when torrents of water running down your leg get inside them! Luckily, I met up with RB58 and iZap in Chelmsford and I was able to ride with them to the Dartford Crossing. I had been riding for nearly 24 hours and although the 250 miles was in grasp I decided to call it a day and get the train home. This was my longest single ride ever, so quite pleased with myself, although a little disappointed I didn't push on for the extra 12.5 miles, but by then I was cold and wet and needed a longer sleep in a more comfortable place.
(needless to say I completed the DunRun without getting a puncture).
