Noodley
Guest
Having mostly ridden 200 and 300km events this year, this was a relatively short route at 123km. Despite having previously stated I would never ever believe any weather forecast ever again, it was a pleasure to be met by the predicted early morning sunshine when I awoke at 5am and donned my shorts and short sleeve top before setting off on the drive to Stathaven. Given the promising actual weather corresponded to the weather forecast I decided not to take any further clothing.
En route I made a quick diversion to collect a friend and we arrived in good time for the 9am start. The temperature was in the high teens as we left and all looked well for the day ahead. Remind me later to remind myself again to never believe the weather forecast! But that’s for later.
As well as the “usual” crowd of audaxeers there was a sizeable number of riders from the local road club making a good sized field as we took it easy for the first few miles. During these first few miles it became apparent that as well as participating in the audax the road club members had also chosen this as the final of their annual “no hand signals” competition. Those who had been eliminated in earlier rounds sat back as the remaining contenders took it in turn at the front to see how far they could ride without giving any signals as to approaching potholes (and there were many!) or other hazards. The forfeit for previously eliminated riders appeared to be the sudden swerving and wearing away of brake pads to avoid unannounced hazards. There appeared to be another rule whereby a rider at the front was permitted to make the occasional hand signal when there was no apparent hazard so as to cause evasive action by those following when none was needed.
Those of us not involved could opt out and my friend and I decided we should not interfere in the hotly contested event and put on a burst of speed. Unfortunately, 20km down the road a set of traffic lights resulted in us once again being caught by the “no hand signals” competitors and we spent the rest of the first leg cautiously avoiding potential collisions.
At the first control we overheard a few of the club members “having words” with those still in the competition, trying to discourage them from victory no doubt. My friend and I decided it would be best to leave them to it and retired to the café for a coffee. A short time later another few lads we knew arrived, one of them muttering something about “f***ing roadies no’ giving hand signals” resulting in him hitting a pothole and puncturing – he mellowed somewhat once I had explained the rules of their competition and stated he might write to Audax UK suggesting this be incorporated into more events throughout the season.
The next leg involved the main climb of the day to Wanlockhead, although it was not as bad as I had been led to believe, and we duly arrived at the next control café where we had another drink. Now, here is the point you should be reminding me about weather forecasts and never believing them…as previously stated I was dressed for warm and sunny weather, as per the forecast. What happened about a minute after leaving the café was more a wet persistent downpour for the final 50km. Oh, and to round things off, I managed to puncture twice within a short distance of leaving the café – that would be on the bit of road we had been advised was “not too good”. I’d say!
And here’s another thing; if you have been paying attention, you will have noticed Wanlockhead billed as being the highest village in the country. Yet when leaving it there is another steep climb followed by a gentle descent and you arrive in a place called Leadhills, which to me looks like a village. Oh, I bet the locals spend many an evening embroiled in feuding! (I have checked and Wanlockhead is higher by about 70 metres, but that’s not gonna stop me stirring it! I bet they are using the highest point of the climb as still in Wanlockhead…)
On returning to base, rather drookit, we discovered a clear winner of the “no hand signals” competition had been decided and everyone had celebrated by eating all the sandwiches. It was just as well it was only a 100km event and I was not too hungry. This morning I awoke to find the return of the “discomfort” of a few weeks ago, and have spent the day walking rather gingerly. Now, where’s my Dr. Hector McGonnagle’s tincture for assorted ailments…
En route I made a quick diversion to collect a friend and we arrived in good time for the 9am start. The temperature was in the high teens as we left and all looked well for the day ahead. Remind me later to remind myself again to never believe the weather forecast! But that’s for later.
As well as the “usual” crowd of audaxeers there was a sizeable number of riders from the local road club making a good sized field as we took it easy for the first few miles. During these first few miles it became apparent that as well as participating in the audax the road club members had also chosen this as the final of their annual “no hand signals” competition. Those who had been eliminated in earlier rounds sat back as the remaining contenders took it in turn at the front to see how far they could ride without giving any signals as to approaching potholes (and there were many!) or other hazards. The forfeit for previously eliminated riders appeared to be the sudden swerving and wearing away of brake pads to avoid unannounced hazards. There appeared to be another rule whereby a rider at the front was permitted to make the occasional hand signal when there was no apparent hazard so as to cause evasive action by those following when none was needed.
Those of us not involved could opt out and my friend and I decided we should not interfere in the hotly contested event and put on a burst of speed. Unfortunately, 20km down the road a set of traffic lights resulted in us once again being caught by the “no hand signals” competitors and we spent the rest of the first leg cautiously avoiding potential collisions.
At the first control we overheard a few of the club members “having words” with those still in the competition, trying to discourage them from victory no doubt. My friend and I decided it would be best to leave them to it and retired to the café for a coffee. A short time later another few lads we knew arrived, one of them muttering something about “f***ing roadies no’ giving hand signals” resulting in him hitting a pothole and puncturing – he mellowed somewhat once I had explained the rules of their competition and stated he might write to Audax UK suggesting this be incorporated into more events throughout the season.
The next leg involved the main climb of the day to Wanlockhead, although it was not as bad as I had been led to believe, and we duly arrived at the next control café where we had another drink. Now, here is the point you should be reminding me about weather forecasts and never believing them…as previously stated I was dressed for warm and sunny weather, as per the forecast. What happened about a minute after leaving the café was more a wet persistent downpour for the final 50km. Oh, and to round things off, I managed to puncture twice within a short distance of leaving the café – that would be on the bit of road we had been advised was “not too good”. I’d say!
And here’s another thing; if you have been paying attention, you will have noticed Wanlockhead billed as being the highest village in the country. Yet when leaving it there is another steep climb followed by a gentle descent and you arrive in a place called Leadhills, which to me looks like a village. Oh, I bet the locals spend many an evening embroiled in feuding! (I have checked and Wanlockhead is higher by about 70 metres, but that’s not gonna stop me stirring it! I bet they are using the highest point of the climb as still in Wanlockhead…)
On returning to base, rather drookit, we discovered a clear winner of the “no hand signals” competition had been decided and everyone had celebrated by eating all the sandwiches. It was just as well it was only a 100km event and I was not too hungry. This morning I awoke to find the return of the “discomfort” of a few weeks ago, and have spent the day walking rather gingerly. Now, where’s my Dr. Hector McGonnagle’s tincture for assorted ailments…
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