Others have covered the magnificence of the route, the beauty of the sunrise and the fulsome thanks for all the way-finders and TECs and the "how the bloody hell did the mad man manage that" of Andy's BMXathon.
So here are a few a few random thoughts from a FNRttC newcomer
South London: I can not remember which comedian said "In North London they have are blue plaques on the walls telling you which famous person lived there, In south London we have yellow signs asking: "Did you witness this crime" but he was spot on: Tw*ts hanging out of cars hurling abuse, check; a Mad Max bus playing jungle and full of scantily clad dancers, check, It's been 20 years since I left Sarf Lon'n: what a welcome home.
Nostalgia: we passed the end of my grandmother's road, I'd not been there since she died, very strange, very moving: If you are going to have an existential crisis then in the middle of a bunch of 130 cyclists is a good a place as any.
Conversations, some bike related; mutual Kona appreciation, best place to fit lights' Some less so; short sightedness and laser correction, the understated joys of Northamptonshire. All amusing, informative and very friendly.
Cadence: I don't get out much....err by which I mean with other people and on the bike. I have always ridden a high gear and ground my way along. It was a real education to see the speed that some were spinning at on the flat. I dropped to the middle ring and span along too, a revelation and the way I shall always ride: except down Lonesome Lane .. or the rolling road between Turners hill and the Beacon,.... or down the Beacon or…oh well too late to change now.
I love it when a plan comes together: I had obsessed about the Beacon, watching BBBORP's video on YouTube while studying the OS map for weeks in advance. The plan was simple, shove it in the bottom ring and drop a gear at each bend, leaving something for a final sprint from the horse sign. Worked a treat, except for the last bit when my legs simply said no and I had to hastily sit down again.
CC'ers in the flesh. As first timer I found it strange to be in the presence of people who I "know" through CC but in the conventional (pre-digital?) sense do not know at all. This manifested itself in a mix of shyness and possible over familiarity (culminating in trying and miserably failing to out sprint TC for breakfast.) On this Simon I think you have nothing to worry about in terms of meeting greeting supporting first timers. With 130 riders you have to give time to those who most need support, encouragement and advice, this you seemed to do admirably
Klutz. I will never go near a parked bike again: yes it was me who played bike dominoes on Madeira drive and was too knackered and uncoordinated to stand everything up again. Many thanks for those who sorted it out. If I bent anything on your bike: steel frame, multi-coloured bar tape Carradice Barley (?) let me know and I'll sort it out
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