January ride for fish n chips

[frank9755]

Glad everyone had fun. My audax was an experience and a half. Up dark and early, into the start at Denmead at 7.45 for 8. Notwithstanding the strong headwind, I got rapidly dropped. I didn't have anyone to follow, was trying not to use the Garmin or phone too much to conserve the batteries, and didn't have a paper map. A few lessons for next time...Not surprisingly, ended up going the wrong way, and by the time I got to Whitchurch (first control) I was 40km up on the route distance. I decided to keep going for the 200k, but just do my own thing (third control, Wantage, was too far north). After a rather hairy diversion along the A34 (!!), met up with a few others at the next control, Kingsclere, again to go the wrong way heading south. Made it back to Denmead at about 8.30, home 9.10. Total mileage a fraction under 128, and great practice for my LeLOG. I'll definitely have another go at that route when it's a bit warmer & the day longer.

Stu,

Very brave of you to attempt your first 200k audax in January! It's a lot harder when you are constantly running out of daylight.

With hindsight you might have had a better time of it if you'd come with us. It would have been an early start for you (+ therefore maybe not possible) but you would have had a similar length ride but with people you knew who would have ridden with you / periodically waited to re-group. And you would have had the best carrot cake I've ever had and a monster piece of fish for lunch!

You mentioned that navigating was a problem: how did you get on with the route sheet? They're normally pretty good - but nothing is foolproof!

I'm sure you'll find your next 200k a lot easier for the experience.

 

[StuAff]

Stu,

Very brave of you to attempt your first 200k audax in January! It's a lot harder when you are constantly running out of daylight.

With hindsight you might have had a better time of it if you'd come with us. It would have been an early start for you (+ therefore maybe not possible) but you would have had a similar length ride but with people you knew who would have ridden with you / periodically waited to re-group. And you would have had the best carrot cake I've ever had and a monster piece of fish for lunch!

You mentioned that navigating was a problem: how did you get on with the route sheet? They're normally pretty good - but nothing is foolproof!

I'm sure you'll find your next 200k a lot easier for the experience.

Definitely fancied it, but no dice- trains simply not early enough to make it to the start in time.
Route sheet was clearly not detailed enough for me- no distances, no road numbers, no compass bearings. I'll do my own next time! I had a GPX loaded on the 705, but was trying not to use it as I was worried about battery life (turned out I was right, I got the low power warning- didn't do that on the Loughborough ride!).
In planning for my LeJOG (end of May), I'm taking the view that the more prep I can do, the better. Not quite as planned for sure, but still glad I did it. I'll have another go at that route when it's a bit warmer & lighter!

 

[rb58]

Oh yes.. apparently myself and Ross are "effing winkers you mugs!!"...according to some charming hatchback passenger.

It was something of a surreal moment as he was yelling at us to get on the pavement. Gotta love Grays!

 

[Mark Grant]

Finally got around to uploading pics to photobucket here

Mark.

 

[frank9755]

Thanks Mark for sharing.
I particularly liked the group photos of us in our private dining room, and the ones taken from out of its windows - the view of the boats and also the views of Ian polishing his bike fixing his puncture during lunchtime!

 

[Aperitif]

You must have been warm if you have 'taken the buff off' Frank. And Mick is wearing an excellent top - did he manage to keep hold of it?


Nice photos Mark, and the outlook toward the sea, and toward the unknown, is just nice..No 22 - with the youngster running (across to the bikes!)