Picture this: I'm all geared up for the Audax spectacular, and my morning routine decides it's on vacation, making me fashionably late. Because why be on time when you're about to embark on a cycling adventure, right? I thought I could break the space-time continuum and catch up on the road to Cardiff—spoiler alert: my bike doesn't come equipped with flux capacitors.
here is the route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45366868controls were fishponds 85km , Hope and Anchor 109km , Yate 141km , Cardiff 212km
The proper start was 8am. I got there around 8:15 am and good job I know the organiser. Like most audax organisers they pretty relaxed about timekeeping. providing they are still at the start.
Roughly 44 riders were in front of me. going well on the way out to Newport where on a cycle path by the transport bridge only 5 minutes beforehand was thinking about avoiding I managed to find go over a piece of glass to slit the rear tyre. Good job I had my spare tyre. Which I was glad I hadn't taken out the night before, fixed the tyre and back on my way. Past about 15 people on the way to Fishponds for the first control. Quick stop in the coop.
On the Bristol Cyclepath, I stumbled upon the Cardiff Ajax crew—Mat, Jake, Toby, and Alex. Jake and Toby were rolling on fixie bikes, obviously because they've unlocked the secret level of cycling coolness. Our adventure even featured a closed tunnel saga due to a blocked drain, because, you know, my Audax ride needed a dash of mystery.
Next stop: the Hope and Anchor pub, where I suspect they serve the Audax Special Sandwich™ because everyone seemed to have their jaws working on the same rhythm. On to Yate, where we strategically dodged climbs to save our fixie friends from a potential comedy of errors on the uphill stage. Spandex-clad heroes, unite!
As we hit Yate, the anticipation skyrocketed. When would the rain crash our two-wheeled fiesta? The weather forecast was more unpredictable than a magician's card trick.
At the 7 Bridge, we merged with another group, featuring the Welsh National 12hr road bike time trial champion Mikey H from Port Talbot Wheelers. Eight riders, three clubs, and a shared love for sandwiches and speed—it was like the cycling version of a sitcom crossover. Mat and I took the lead, cutting through the wind like a synchronized pair of dancing flamingos.
Finally, back in Cardiff, a mere 24 miles stood between me and the snuggly cocoon of home, just in time for the sky to throw a liquid confetti party. Because nothing says "welcome back" like an unexpected rain shower disco during the grand finale.
In summary, an epic journey filled with unexpected plot twists, sandwich conspiracies, and a spontaneous cycling Avengers reunion. Here's to more audacious audaxes and forever embracing the chicness of fashionably late entrances to the cycling ball!
