Saturday was the Bryan Chapman memorial ride and my final ride to get my SR -Super Randonneur award for riding
200 -300-400 and 600km in the last 5 months - with the SR completed I can now finalise my place for PBP in August.
The Classic End 2 End. Legend has it Bryan Chapman would cycle the length of Wales and back to go see his mechanic; come follow in his pedal strokes!
I entered this event in early January with the unknown of whether I would be able to get back to riding out on the road and doing these kinds of distances.
From Feb onwards each month, I had an event and something to aim for.
PBP entry opened up mid-Jan.
There were 3 starts given and this was decided from the speed you entered, I was given a time of 4 am. Set off Friday and rode up to Chepstow and stayed the night at the hotel in the 7 Bridge services. I treated Sarah to an evening away and Italian dinner for me to-carb load.
with the early start, it's always difficult to get any sleep. set off at 3 am cycling over the bridge to the start at the community centre.
met up with 3 other riders from Ajax.
4 of us were on the front of a group of 40 riders - 4 of us rotating and enjoying the rolling hills out to the first stop at the Honey pot cafe. 72km for the first control. we were averaging 18.5mph which is not really Audax pace considering the amount of miles to cover. The first 4 into the stop cooked breakfasts all around. Most of the other riders, they opted to get their card stamped and pressed on. I did joke that maybe I should become second claim with Ajax the amount of times I've now ridden with them.
Onto the next checkpoint which was Llanidloes 139km - this was a quick dash into the spar to refill and get the POP proof of passage. onto the next checkpoint where we were riding over the Mach mountain road to Machynlleth.
204km for the next checkpoint which is the king's head Youth Hostel - the climb into this is pretty steep. Treated to Pasta, bananas and various drinks. from this point is where the scenery gets interesting and it feels like you are forever in North Wales.
next checkpoints and controls see you go over the bridge at Barmouth onto Harlech Porthmadog where you just see mountains and pick out Pen y Pass. Very busy on the top and lots of cars with tickets on.
Next stop Menai Bridge 293km -17:37 - food provided was a lentil soup and various cakes. At this point, you're now turning to head back down south with only 307km (190 miles) to cover.
After the Menai bridge, this is where we split up. Mat pushed on as me and Jake went and got a cold drink. then after a 2-mile drag where I thought David and Jake were behind me, I waited and then pushed onto the kings for the second visit. The plan was to push onto the next sleep stop.
Mat decided to sleep there and was feeling the effects of lack of sleep. The 3 of us were going to push on but just as we were leaving there was news that before the next stop in Aberdyfi, there was a road accident that had closed the road and a potential 40-mile detour.
we stopped at the Kings and got a bed each. each room sleeps about 8 people -bunks beds. the time was 21:44 - Jake and David and Matt I think got 3-4 hours - I was wide awake after about 60mins and decided to push onto the next stop. where we could not take a shortcut through the field next to the accident. I'm sure this ride across the coast would have been very scenic but being north Wales it was very dark and I was glad to be running with my dynamo front light. If you are unsure of how dark have a look at the ITV news at ten map for north wales
Aberdyfi stop 405km -2:25am food option was jacket spud with beans and 2 sausages which was just odd to have at the time. onto the next stop in Newton for a Mcdonald's Breakfast. 468km 5:46 am at this point the temperature had dropped and I was beginning to feel like Goldilocks through the ride either too hot or cold. the temp dropped down to -2c.
from this point on this is where the route changed compared to last year and at this point, I had reached my max riding pace. the route now was toward Hereford -Monmouth -tintern abbey and then drop into Chepstow. -
got to the finish for 13:35 with a total time including stops 33hrs 35minutes
It was a good feeling to finish this and a good test for where my fitness and endurance is. From my back injury, I am more aware of my riding positions and make sure I'm moving my hands about and stretching my back as I don't want to make it hurt any more. I'm slowly learning to live with the pain.
It would be good to see more people enter these Audax events, it's something different and a new challenge.
here are the photos I took on the day -
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FWWX2gVae9r5SXAk9https://www.strava.com/activities/9112730194 route taken on the day
here is a good video where you can spot me at the start
https://youtu.be/xTtJvXN_Ka8Glad to have the Monday off when I was feeling the effects of lack of sleep and needed some fresh air so popped out for a 5-mile walk.
thanks to those who have supported me through this recovery period and put up with me waffling on about Audaxing
Next one is 2nd June 600km AU PIED DE COCHON - FRUITS DE MER
https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10133-au_pied_de_cochon___fruits_de_mer** This was from the organisers this morning.
Pauline Porter on top of the Machynlleth Mountain Road at the checkpoint, and perhaps had a chat with her back at the finish. For those unaware of the history of the event Pauline used to ride with Bryan Chapman and is the founder of this event; which was originally the 'Anglesey and Back 600' organised by the Bristol DA CTC. She has ridden it twice, first in 1984 then again in 1990; otherwise she would have been at Kings tending to riders. I think you, the volunteers and myself have made her proud!
