Was up at 4am on Saturday morning for my longest ever Audax : London-Wales-London. It was nearly twice my longest ever ride.
Had felt nervous and even anxious in the days before the event, winding myself up into quite a mess the night before, but on the morning itself was excited and eager to get on. Made a large coffee for my wife who was driving me to the start in Chalfont, and we headed out on the M25.
In Chalfont, I hadn't even got the bike unloaded before a fellow member of the Fridays cycled up to welcome me. For privacy I'll not mention names.
Before even reaching the community centre for registration I'd bumped into another friend; it all helped dispel any remaining nerves.
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At 6am we all headed off, it was sunny, conditions were perfect, I was well prepared; I felt good. It was a fast pace to the first control (and breakfast) at Islip, where I chatted with other riders. But I was cagey about my condition, I hadn't yet settled into a comfortable rhythm, and was far from confident about the distance still to come.
As I cycled west, I made new friends. Suncream was applied, layers adjusted; red brick houses gave way to quainter stone buildings, and even the geology changed, giving the villages and landscapes a quaint but unfamiliar vibe that felt more like a holiday than a bike ride. Woodland was full of the sights and scents of bluebells, wild garlic was everywhere, houses draped in beautiful Wisteria, and the views were to die for. I suddenly realised I was in my element; this was my first visit by bike to the Cotwolds, but wouldn't be my last.
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I kept encountering friends from other rides, and formed a group of 4. We stopped at a pub near Ross on Wye for a good chinwag over a beer, then enjoying a fast descent into Chepstow for dinner in Wales. We'd had a brief spell of overcast skies with a drop in temperature that had felt like rain in the air, but we emerged from the Chepstow control to brilliant blue skies again.
The Severn Crossing did not disappoint. From first hearing of this ride several years earlier, the bridge was a landmark that had etched itself into my memory and was probably top of my cycling bucket list. Not sure why a structure of steel and concrete felt so important to me, but the combination of years of anticipation, the effort of the day, the perfect weather conditions, riding it with good friends, and the sheer joy of having reached this milestone meant a lot to me; it was a surprisingly emotional moment when the bridge came into view; and I'll remember the crossing for years to come. Well worth every mile to get there; every turn of the pedals.
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Back in England, there was still well over a hundred miles to go. Our group of 4 continued, stopping for a pics and a natter at sunset by the Somerset monument...
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....then another beer at a lively pub with a band in Malmesbury. Emerged after 9pm to proper night-time darkness and rapidly cooling temperatures. It was a little slower to Lambourn control, arriving near to midnight and having a leisurely 90 minute break to eat, drink, and even to have a snooze. Alas one of our group felt ill and needed longer to recover; two stayed, two continued.
It was now well after 1am, and rural Berkshire dipped to below 3 degrees. Our group of 2 was joined by another rider, and we set a fast pace all the way to Henley.
It was an Info Control - a 24 hour petrol station, and I'd been looking forward to a hot drink for the last hour. There were about 20 other riders there, we chatted and we rode together as a big group for the final 30ish km with the dawn chorus and other signs of the approaching morning light.
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Rode to the front and struggled my way up the final monster climb near Beaconsfield alongside an Irish lass who had run the marathon the previous weekend! Stopped to assist when her chain came off and jammed, and then we stuck together for the final few km.
All of a sudden we had the final fast descent into Chalfont St P, and into the community centre to have brevet's stamped. Oh my days, what a rush. Hands were shaken, hugs were shared, beaming faces grinned happily. Finishers caps were donned, and stories were told over a hearty breakfast before people started to drift away, back to normality.
My total distance 411.22 km, which rounds up to 256 miles; and 3,879 metres of ascent. My Garmin reckons I burned just shy of 14,000 kcals!!!
I'd estimated I might finish in 22 hours, but actually took nearer 24 hours. Actual riding time was nearly 18 and a half hours. Too much time in pubs and controls!
Awesome… Liam and his team had put on a splendid event; an experience that was unique, challenging, emotional, rewarding, joyous, and so much more. Absolutely my best ever day (and night) on a bike; sometimes a little sore, sometimes slightly cold, but what a fantastic time with treasured memories that will last a lifetime, or at least until next year!
100 % recommended, particularly in good weather!
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