Quick review of the latest Audax. 300km Burford Bumble. As usual I am unlucky enough to live near Dave and so felt obliged to ride to the start. 4:15am from Pontycymer CoOp to be ready for the official start in Cardiff at 6. Forecast all week had been for wind and rain, so when it was dry, fairly calm and -1C the omens felt good.
It was still dark even when we left Cardiff. Usual good mix of riders. From Tri Bars and Dura Ace, to vintage steel Bianchis, and a futuristic looking faired recumbent I would in no way consider sitting in on a road used by other vehicles.
300km (plus a 50 mile round trip to the start) is always going to be a mental challenge, so it was lucky the snow started a few miles later to add a bit of spice. Couldn’t see a thing on the last Audax in the rain wearing my glasses, so I left them at home on this occasion, and as a result couldn’t see a thing.
A group of 4 caught up with us before Newport and we tagged on the back, despite what seemed to be ambitious exertions pulling away from every set of traffic lights through the urban area. Ignoring the Cardiff start, the first stop for the Garw contingent came after about 70 miles at very nice bakery recommended by Dave in Chipping Sodbury. Tucking in to an excellent, warm Cornish pasty was a little odd on noting it still wasn’t quite 9am. From here on we rode as a 2up, although that implies some sort of shared effort, the reality being Dave on the front for increasingly long pulls.
Started feeling fairly ropey on the next leg, and the stop at Farringdon after 113 miles was very welcome. This was where eating started to feel a chore (never a nice feeling). Tried to emulate the very hungry caterpillar with a fairly dry panini, big bag of crisps, slice of chocolate cake, coke, cappuccino, and espresso. Then set off for Burford on the shortest leg of the day.
Felt pretty good on this stretch, no doubt helped by knowing it was only 12 miles. Coffee and coke in a pub with an open fire and the rugby on TV didn’t make it easy to move on quickly but we did our best.
Malmesbury was the next stop after 156 miles. This leg was my mostly standard; feel nauseous for the first third. Get through the rough patch try and ride fast enough to get past Dave and make an effort on the front for the second third. Hang onto Dave’s wheel counting down the miles for the final third. Started raining a few miles before the stop and front lights starting to show up on the tarmac. Another panini and coke, not really enjoyable. Malmesbury was the half way point on my last Audax so it sort of felt comforting the way back was sort of known.
Now riding in the rain and rapidly fading light we head for Aust, and Severn Bridge services, dreaming of Burger King; Audax does that to you. 185 miles done, and Burger King had shut early due to unforeseen circumstances. A perfectly serviceable cheese and chicken toasty and more Coke.
First night-time ride across the Severn Bridge, not as enjoyable as it sounds. In full wheel sucking mode by now, but on recognisable on the way home sort of roads. Desperately trying to stay with Dave through Cardiff because I couldn’t keep my gloves on and operate the backlight on my Wahoo to see the map. 214 miles done and the official finish at McDonalds. Cheeseburger and milkshake, first thing I’d enjoyed eating since the 8:55am Cornish pasty.
Just the final few miles home. Back in Pontycymer just before midnight with the Strava recording stopped at 237 miles. In hindsight didn’t feel much harder than the 180 miles in February. Feels like as far as I really want to ride though.
