Buckingham Blinder X-rated. the event was on Friday. the ride starts in Cardiff at 10 pm at Mcdonalds Cardiff. Set off from the Garw at 19:50 pm.
"X-Rated" events have no/very few manned controls, except at the start, and provide no refreshments or other support
counted about 20 riders riding this event.
Andy Harries also rode the event as training for the upcoming Pan Celtic ride.
here is the route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42482855 which takes you through some lovely countryside after the 7 bridge not that you can see much in the dark. New Hub powering my front and Rear light worked well.
Out of Cardiff me and Andy rode with 4 guys from Ajax Club. was a steady pace out where Toby decided it wasn't fast enough so he shot off. Andy eased off from our group coming out of Newport
On the 7 bridge, we caught up with Toby who unfortunately had a puncture.
1st stop of the day was Costa Leigh Delamare services at 1:31am. Andy caught up with us and we rode for a bit together - we caught up with Toby who again was struggling with a puncture and getting his tyre seated. Andy Rode on to have a break from us.
The next stop is Eynsham and between there and the next stop there isn't much open We refilled in a 24hr Petrol station. Then caught up with Andy.
got to Eynsham at 05:39 am where due to nothing being open in this village we had to answer a question -which was who is the Victor at the Chuch? The sun was not starting to make an appearance and we could see our maps. From the 7 bridge to this point I think we had only seen 2 cars
Onto the next stop for Breakfast at Greggs in Buckingham 128 miles 07:51 am and the turning point to going back home. Andy came rolling in as we were heading out, looking like he was ready for breakfast.
onto the next stop which is Witney at 159 miles in - 4 of us worked together with a good paceline. feeling good at this point.
next leg one of the guys dropped off to save energy and the 3 of us carried onto Malmesbury 192 miles in - as we were leaving we saw him again and he was going to have a kip in the church grounds.
From here to 7 Bridge is a fast leg due to the excitement of having a burger king and knowing there to home for me it is only 60 miles.
Got back into Cardiff where my Di2 battery flashed only 15% left, was optimistic that 40% would make it around the route. won't make that mistake again and will charge it up before a big ride.
Got back home on Sat for 19:50. Total ride time with stops clocked in at 23:53:52.
here are some of the photos -
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Um6k6N3jtrssBbfs9the next ride is next month the Bryan Chapman Memorial ride which is 600km. there are still spaces if you fancy riding with me.
