The Boat Ride 200 PERM

It was a day for bullfinches, buzzards and bumblebees.  I could add bluebells also.

At the most northern point, Stoke Bruerne, I felt connected because of the Grand Union Canal that passes through Hanwell also.

Stoke Bruerne

The 'Road Closed' sign reminded me of the rope across the Solovetsky Monastery shop: it's there to be climbed over!  The road turned out to be closed for cars, but not for cyclists or pedestrians.  Try not to get angry!

I didn't have a good time collecting receipts.  The first tea room's receipt didn't have the location nor the time.  I explained and they stamped a card that still didn't have the location nor the time.  The first pub was open, but not open for business.  The second pub was jam packed full of Grand National punters that I walked straight back out.  I took various photos for proof of passage and then I gave up and relied on my memory that you can use gps logs for validation, which indeed is true.

I didn't take many other photos.  I wasn't inspired, didn't see any buckets in trees.  I wasn't very mindful either.  My mind was elsewhere.  Shame on me.  But I couldn't help but look forward to the next day's Southall Vaisakhi.

I was pleased to get home in time, but all in all, I'm putting this down to a training ride.

The 3Down 300

It's a good audax when it's sunny enough to treat yourself to an ice cream.  It's an even better audax when you have the time to treat yourself to an ice cream.  And it gets even better when the ice cream you choose is locally made: New Forest Ice Cream.  That was a very nice treat!

It was a tough ride though! I found it physically and mentally much tougher than the hillier Dean 300 a couple of weeks ago. The headwind on the way down to the New Forest sapped energy and morale.  And on the way back it rained for a good few hours.

Still, on a day when you have local ice cream, you see your first Great Grey Shrike, can admire the huge Bozedown Alpaca Farm and enjoy the picturesque Test Valley, you can be happy that you're out and about.

I was in good company also with James and Roger.

Having a break with James and Roger

We helped each other along.  Great team work!  I loved the way Roger shouted out the instructions.  At first they gave me a fright.  Imagine you're in zone doing a 5 miles stretch, mesmerised by the rhythm of the pedal revolutions and soothed by the sound of rain coming off our wheels.  And then you hear this  shout coming from the back.  I thought something bad had happened like he'd forgotten his brevet card in Fordingbridge or he had just run over a stoat. But no, they were very helpful 'left at T and immediately right' instructions shouted out at the top of his voice.

I took a couple of pictures of the New Forest and noted how it's not new and in places looks nothing like a forest.  Wiki tells us that 'Nova Foresta' was recorded in the Domesday book in 1086, and the reasons why it was called 'new'.

The New Forest

There is a great variety of animals you see there: the ponies, donkeys, black pigs, Highland cattle, and other cattle I don't know the breed name of (Galloway?).  The sun was still out then and I loved the cattle's colours of brown, sandy, copper, red, black, grey all blending into a lovely scheme.

The most bizarre moment was when I saw a bucket in a tree.

Bucket in a tree

Thanks to Ian and team for organising.

Photos are here: MyPhotos

Other thoughts:

• Finishing at 1:15 AM
• Very nice welcome back at HQ where soup and bacon rolls were presented.  Thank you!
• During the dark section, a deer crossing the road right in front of us
• Hearing owls

The Dean 300

I was at the start on time (ref 2012) and Andy was at the start on time (ref 2014).  All was looking good.  But where were the organisers? Did they not get to the start on time?  News of them having set up camp at the back of the Peartee car park travelled like messages in an ants colony.   A trail of riders eventually made their way to the back, picking up brevet cards just in time for the 6AM off.

False start

I had entered the Dean not being sure if I would be fit enough for a hilly 300.  But the more I talked myself out of it, the more I saw it as a challenge.  By Tuesday I was completely up for it and even the forecasted low temperatures didn't put me off anymore. 

The Dean 300

'I had to try'.  This is what Michael said also.  Although he had booked a Travelodge room for the Friday night, he went back home to pick up a crucial electronic gear shifting battery.  We saw him the next day.  Despite having had only 1.5 hours sleep he said 'he had to try'.   Michael, Pete and I ended up in a triplette.  It's always good to have company after dark.   I knew Michael was digging deep when he asked whether there was a cat sitting in the middle of the road.  That rubbish bag looked nothing like a cat!

The ride went very well.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The high gearing on my new bike didn't trouble me too much although I did walk up the 14% climb to Somerset Monument and also up Hackpen Hill.  At least Hackpen Hill has a name, I thought.  From Chepstow onwards I had planned to count the hills from 1 to 10.  The first climb towards Thornbury, after the Severn Bridge, didn't seem so bad, so I didn't count that one.  I certainly couldn't count the ones I walked.  By the time we got to Lambourn it was time to give up on the counting idea.

Sometimes I can't tell if we have headwind or tailwind.  Early on I put my buff over my ears and pretended there was no wind at all.  When Pete and I crossed the Severn Bridge, the angle of Pete's bike told me for sure which direction the wind came from! Our triplette did well to take it in turns to battle against the wind.  Pete seemed to revive, having not felt very well in he first half, and took the lead a big proportion of the time.  Thank you Pete!

Camp Hackney

I didn't feel broken like I normally do after a long ride.  I could still talk and even complete my brevet card!  It was great to finish back at camp Hackney where there was a tent, outdoor heater, soup, tea, beer, laughter, company and Andy.   Andy came out of his van to say hello, give a blanket, hold my torch whilst I did my brevet card, have a chat.  How wonderful!  This has been the best finish to the Dean ever.

In previous rides, I would be totally shattered, struggle my bike in the car, struggle myself into a sleeping bag, sleep till I get too cold, then drive off to the next service station.  This time, there was the welcoming finish party, and then I made my way to the Travelodge hotel.  Wheeled my bike into the room.  Had a shower and ate rice pudding.  Then! Then, I still had the energy and inclination to get my brand new chain link pliers out.  Took the chain off the bike and put it in a pot of degreaser.   Amazing! The next day I completed the chain cleaning and compared the job to professional oven cleaning: 'comes out shining like jewellery'.

I didn't take many photos.  It was a rather grey day and I was in minimalist mode.  I did take a photo of the farm though.

2016

2014

2009

My minimalist mode was in full action in the Malmesbury Waitrose.  I had started eating my chosen cakes before I could pay.  And when the man at the till asked if I had a Waitrose card, he looked up at at me and answered his own question by saying 'it would slow you down wouldn't it'? Perfect!

Many thanks to Justin and Chris for organising.  Much appreciated.

Photos are here: MyPhotos

Other thoughts:

• Lots of wildlife, dead and alive: badgers, deer, various birds of prey including the red kites.
• Familiar faces like Frank and Steven
• Chatting with fboab
• The kilometers clicking away quickly, till I got to 279 which seemed to last for hours.
• The women at the Newent Co-op asking if I'm doing 'that 300'
• Getting a hotel room before and after the event makes so much sense!

The Kennet Valley Run

We got all the seasons' weathers: frost, rain, sleet, hail, snow, sunshine, wind, gusts and if a rainbow was a weather type, I'd add that in also.  Apt that I was using Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tyres.

Myself, I was dressed for one season only: winter.  I was ready for the predicted RealFeel™-1.

There was a big turnout as you can tell from the amount of brevet cards that were laid out on the table at the start.

Brevet cards

It looks like others are dressed for one season also

There were familiar faces, like Titus.  He's more familiar from the FNRttC than from Audax.  But there is a trans-discipline movement in full swing.  There are several Fridays having a go at Audax.  Friday Miranda did the 100km version of this ride.  Her blog post reminds me of my early audax ride reports: treasuring the brevet card, absorbing all the advice given but needing to find your own way, the landscape and wildlife, teething problems with GPS and navigation, finishing with a great sense of achievement and wanting more.

Finishing this ride earnt me my first two audax points since July 2014.  I felt like a newbie myself, and especially with a new bike I am adjusting to.  It was when I got a puncture that I realised how out of audax routine I am.  I had to think!  When passing riders asked if I was ok, I replied with a hesitant yes.  And the riders hesitantly continued on, probably thinking 'she doesn't sound too sure'.   I was ok of course, just getting used to the feel of the bike and learning its quirks.   These quirks are things like how the bike balances with the front wheel off, and how things fall out of the new saddle bag compared with the old.

Had my own puncture soon after I took this picture

I had been prepared for the hills around Bratton.  A good break and meal at the Pickleberry Coffee and Gift Shop set me up nicely and I didn't struggle too much compared with previous years.  

The Kennet Valley Run is a great ride and I always enjoy seeing the white horse.

I also enjoyed the long sunset, meaning I didn't need to cycle in the dark too long.

I made it back by 7.30PM, at the Village Hall where there was plenty of tea, soup and cake to be enjoyed.  I chatted with a few people and then drove back home.  What a great day that was, and I'm ready for more.

Many thanks to the organiser Mick Simmons and team.

The rest of the photos are here: MyPhotos

Other thoughts:

• Plenty of kites
• Seeing two people artistically painting the inside of a bus stop, can't remember where
• Nice to visit the Tutti Pole again, but didn't hang around too long
• Happy, very happy, with my new bike.  Will change back mudguard to my old SKS race blade ones. Need a little more clearance.

The Chinnor Scenic 100

I enjoyed it!!

After 16 months since my last long distance ride I thought all my experience was lost.  But it soon came back: how I love the drive to the start, how I always forget one thing - a pen this time, how wonderful following a GPS track is but still couldn't do without the routesheet, how big the kites are, how I treasure the brevet card, how you end up using only 3 or 4 favourite gears, ...

It turned out the be the hottest November day since records began.  We just needed to get out of the fog first.

Fog at the lido

The start was at Ruislip Lido - not that you could see the lake.  The 100km route took us through High Wycombe, Chinnor, Marsh and back through Great Missenden and Chalfont.

100km route

There were some wonderful lanes along the way.  I particularly enjoyed the approach to Chinnor.

Climb near Chinnor

Once the fog was gone, it felt like summer.  Sunshine, cloudless skye, no wind, lovely lanes - what  a great day!  Coming back towards 'home' however, the fog appeared again and I was reminded how quickly you can cool down.  If I had been on the 200, I would have wished I had brought an extra layer.

A highlight was the lunchstop at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.  I expected the cafe to be busy, but we had the whole carriage to ourselves.  I had a hot chocolate and sausage bap.  The kitchen lady said that the cyclists had 'cleaned her out of sandwiches' and that she'd make some more.

Where shall I sit?

Menu

During lunch it was nice chatting with fellow riders, and observing the to-ing and fro-ing on the platform.

Busy on the platform

I had a wonderful day.  But the best thing was still to come.  I got home and told Sarah how it went. She then asked the dare-not-hope-for-question: "So when are you doing your next ride?".  

Many thanks to Tim Solesse for organising the ride.

A few more photos are here: Clicky

The HCH 1200

'One day, it will be the difference between success and failure', he'd said.  Keith Shorten was right.

A gift from Keith Shorten anno 2011- thank you!

My chain snapping on the Herentals-Cosne/Loire-Herentals 1200 wasn't a lowlight, it was a highlight.  It is, when you're able to repair it!

I'm going to find it difficult to find many lowlights.  For only about half an hour did I have those 'Never do this again!' thoughts.  It's not the rain on the last day, but the temperature dropping, that made me a bit miserable.  However, with Jose Maria as a riding buddy, you'll soon laugh your way out of any negativity.

Jose Maria and I, laughing our way through the rain.
Photo by Guy Roefs

The topic of conversation causing the most hilarity was football.  Very topical, with the world cup going on.  Jose Maria hates football.  His story on how he was made to play football at school got me laughing out loud.  I could visualise it, Jose standing on the pitch.  He was told: 'You need to run!', but Jose claims he didn't know where to run to.  His footballing career lasted a month.

For me it was great, being in France when France was playing in the quarter-finals, and being in Belgium when Belgium was playing their quarter-final.  Jose observed that the roads in France were busy and dangerous whilst the football was on, and especially after they lost!  Whereas in Belgium, cycling whilst the game was on was like cycling on a car-free Sunday.

A French football fan in Vertus

We were in the Champagne area when France was playing Germany.    The Marne valley is wonderful to cycle through.  It struck me how beautiful and 'organic' the villages were.  Thought this could be to do with the fact that the vineyards would be more valuable than housing property, so there is no village expansion.

Champagne country

The unexpected tailwind also made for a good easy stretch of cycling along the Loire.

Along the Loire

It was hot though, that day, and one person was found in need of a cool down.

This was a 1200 like no other.  Three nights in a row, I slept for at least 3 hours, and that in a hotel!  No wonder I was smiling all the time.  My sister told me that every time she saw me, I was smiling.  Seeing familiar faces is always uplifting on a hard ride.  Seeing your sister as part of a well organised support crew could do nothing else but elevate your spirits to an even higher level.

Smiley me - Photo by Guy Roefs

Jan's organisation is amazing.  Everything is considered and executed to plan.  He pretty much predicted everybody's finish time also.  He got mine spot on at 9PM on Saturday.   It took some effort though.  On the last day, Jose and I had gone through some fast stretches early morning, some slow progress through the Ardennes, some sleepy moments late morning, some hunger pangs around Namur, etc.  Then Antonio and Bernard caught up with us, and then a few more riders bunched up towards the end, as tends to happen.  We formed a train!  A train on a dis-used railway track into Morkhoven.   Antonio set the pace and we all followed at high speed, energy coming from the thought of making an imagined deadline.  We got to the BBQ at 9PM on the dot.

The BBQ is another reason why this is a 1200 like no other.  After most 1200s, riders finish and disperse, go off home or to other accommodation.  On the HCH1200, you can ride your last day and time your finish to coincide with the BBQ party where all the early finishers will be.

Finishers and support crew - Photo by Guy Roefs

Many, many thanks to Jan, the main super-organiser, and everybody else who would have been involved in the background.  And many thanks to the Henri and Kris for the wonderful support.

Rest of my photos are here: MyPhotos
A great series of photos by Guy Roefs are here: Guy's Photos

Other thoughts:

• Speaking westvlams to fellow riders was fun
• Only, my sister sometimes felt the need to 'translate'
• Had a trademark puncture before the start.  Thanks to Antonio and Jose for assistance in fixing.
• Thanks to our wonderful pre- and post- ride host Paula
• Fantastic experience cycling through Paris and seeing well known landmarks
• Cycling through Le Cateau-Cambrésis, home town of Henri Matisse
• As always, love a quickly served 'petit cafe' in France
• Still taking no for an answer and had lunch at the Chinese restaurant, 90 minutes after it closed
• PBPers chatting with us
• Given a can of drink by a shop owner, fellow randonneur, out of respect for our 1200 efforts
• Kris and I drove home to our parents for a wonderful après-ride holiday, and see stage 5 of the Tour de France go through the home town.  

The Easter Arrow 2014

The death of Gabriel Garcia Marquez broke the ice at the breakfast table.  'One hundred years of solitude' Arabella said with a rising inflection.  No, I have not read it, but I will now!

There was more education to come from our captain when she said she had been abstemious with the salt in the porridge.  Fantastic word.

Porridge, hot cross buns, coffee and tea made for a great start to the Easter Arrow weekend.  I would like to write that it was a sign of things to come, instead I can confirm that it turned out to be one of highlights.

Home made hot cross buns

The other highlight was the finish at the Punchbowl pub in York.

Me at the finish.
Never been so happy to wear pink and show it off!

We had no punctures, no mechanicals, no rain, no snow, no storms, no arguments, no delays, no detours, an excellent route, wonderful scenery .... so what can the matter be: the matter was a strong headwind, all the way.  I hardly came out of granny gear!

I had also underestimated the temperature.  By lunchtime I was already wearing all the layers I had with me.   I go in waves of buying from 'that'll do' cycling clothes to top of the range 'only the best will do' cycling clothes and back down again.  Unfortunately I'm in a 'that'll do' wave, and my jacket turned out to be a boil in the bag piece of plastic.  Every time we stopped cycling, I started shivering through a wet jersey.  A recipe for hypothermia, I thought, if the temperature drops further during the night section.  I was very worried.

Which brings me to another highlight: the 24 hour Asda at Newark.

Watching you, watching me

Oh yes, a 24 hours Asda in the middle of Newark at a time when all the drunk people spill out on the pavement and wonder the streets.  I could see a guy on the pavement losing his balance stepping backwards into the road just as Jo was cycling past.  A few expletives followed.  The sight of scantily dressed women made me feel even colder.  The 24 hour Asda, where we would have the floor of the entrance lobby all to ourselves, was a haven.  A haven with a clothes department where we could buy extra layers.  We were looking for fleeces, but Jo came back saying there was nothing suitable there.  We went back in, Jo to the boy's section and me aiming for the men's section.  But something in the women's section caught my eye that I thought 'if this thing doesn't keep me warm, at least it will make me smile'.  The pink bunny jumper saved my arrow.

Spot the fast laydiz

Unfortunately the arrow couldn't be saved for Lindsay.  Arabella had noted something was wrong.  'How come we're ahead for the fast laydiz?', she said.  But Lindsay had stopped to take a call, bad news, her cycling buddy on another team, had collapsed.  We could hear her agree: 'Yes, making sure he doesn't die is a priority'.  Lindsay has a way with words, and left us three with one: 'Bye!'.

Easter Bunny mascots, courtesy of fboab

Lindsay passed on her mascot to Jo, who had lost her own - it probably flew off in the wind!  Jo's forum name is 'rabbit', so she was very happy to be reunited with a bunny mascot.  Jo has a background in mountain biking.  When we went through Crowland with it's magnificent Trinity Bridge, I had wondered what the history behind the monument was.  Whereas Jo's thinking was what a great mountain biking feature it would be.

The Easter Arrow is a quirky event.  At least three of you (or three machines) need to get to the finish.  Unusually in audaxing, there is a winner.  The team that covers the longest distance in 24 hours is crowned the winner.  It's never a surprise who the winner is because the teams' intentions are often known beforehand.  It does mean that everybody puts a 24 hours effort in, regardless of ability.  And instead of recovered people leaving just as I arrive shattered at the finish,  everybody looks equally shattered at the end of an arrow, and stays for breakfast.  There is another quirky rule called the 22nd hour rule, and one of the reasons why I'm so happy to have Arabella as captain.

Wonder women CrinklyLion

There were many, many familiar faces at the finish - and a good reason to do the arrow again.  I love the 'how did it go for you' chats.  Everybody has a story to tell.  However, CrinklyLion, the cake supplier extraordinaire, will be abroad for Easter 2015.  Which is an equally good reason for not doing the arrow again next year.  Arabella and I had already agreed that we might skip an edition - because this one, truthfully, was an edition where you wouldn't mind getting your bike stolen.  When Denise insisted that I should captain a women's team, I insisted that I couldn't because I would never understand the 22nd hour rule.

The good moments were the villages, the fens, the guided bus, Jo saying 'epic' 14 times,  the food, the company, the chats, the birds, the lambs, the smell of nectar, CrinklyLion and Isaac providing the cake fest, the mountain bike feature and the sun rise.  Arabella said it wouldn't heat the earth, but I happily replied that it would warm my heart.

Sunrise in Selby

Many thanks to Arabella and fboab for planning the route.  Thanks to all three laydiz for a fantastic effort.  I can feel the Tuesday blues kicking in, because I want to thank everybody: Crinkly, Isaac, the teams, the staff at Spoons and the guy calling me 'effing weirdo' as I tried to get my bike out of the beer garden.  You are all wonderful.  Best wishes to Chris, hope you get a diagnosis.

Photos are here: MyPhotos

Other thoughts:

• Seems my Easter Arrow charm worked again when I asked a second time of we could use the 'shut' toilets at the 24 hours Asda.  I figured they were blocked off to discourage the drunks coming in.  The trick was to ask the guy who had given me eye contact rather than the 'shut' guy who was busy reading 'a paper'.
• Once it got light, seeing parked cars with a layer of ice on the windows made me realise it was much colder than just freezing
• I spared a thought for John Radford
• Me singing (!) to pass the night time, prevent the dozies and cheer us up.  Jo must have been pleased when Arabella took over! 'Oh, what a beautiful morning ...!'

Congratulations to Jo 'rabbit' - on riding her longest distance.

The Dean 300

This is how pleased was I to see Andrew!

Me, near Cutsdean (by andrewp)

I was just taking a photo of the farm I still want to buy (if I could!).

2014

2010

My mind was where it usually is at this stage of a ride.  Thoughts of lantern rouge, reminders not to overdo the photos, take it easy, enjoy the day ... even if you're going to be going round on your own... 

I knew Andrew was doing the ride and gathered I must not have seen him in the car park at the start, and now he's way up ahead of me. Shame, I like to have a chat with Andrew.  We reminisce over the Wessex Series rides, and the 10 minute kip we had in the middle of a cycle path.

Where's Andrew?

When he caught up with me, he explained how he had his own sneezing panda moment on discovering he'd overslept.  We chatted for a while before I encouraged him to go ahead without me.   But we chatted some more, reminisced over the Wessex Series rides, and the 10 minute kip we had in the middle of a cycle path.  

A police van pulled up along us, telling us through the open window that we 'really should be cycling in single line'.  I was going to be happy to agree with them, but Andrew said 'No we don't!', and waved them on their way.   

For the first half of the ride, we had tailwind (with a bit of south in it according to Andrew).  But by Chepstow my legs were like jelly.  Refuelling at the petrol station did the trick.   We saw a few other riders and yoyo'd with them till Stanford.  

Refuelling at Chepstow

It's at Stanford that a spoke in my back wheel broke.  I asked Francis if he had a spoke key, which he'd did.  It was only when I was back in the car that I remembered that one of my spanners does have a spoke key slot in it.  With a bit of Francis' encouragement we true'd the wheel and loosened the brakes, enough to make it rideable.  

Andrew replaced an inner tube whilst we were at Membury Service Station.  The Membury stop was cosy with a few other riders around the table.  Service is always top notch with detailed explanations on why they can't print a receipt from one till or another.   Earlier, I had already messed up their system by waiting at the coffee machine for a coffee instead of going to the till to pay first.  'Had I not read the sign?'.  And then I dared to ask for a receipt after they'd cashed up'.  'Can't I see the tills are closed?'.  I was in a dozy enough state to think it was not my problem.  I was reminded that they need to close one till at a time and that they have now already done till 2.  But Mary on till 3 was on to it, she produced the receipt.  Amazing!  I love Membury Services.

We togged up and set off for the last leg back to Oxford.  I got the dozies and requested we'd 'talk' some more.  We had already chatted about the Wessex Series rides, and the 10 minute kip we had in the middle of a cycle path.   I brought up the subject of Toastmasters and Andrew shared insights on e-cigarettes, influencing my views on them on the way.  

Our non-faff stops means we finished the ride with 15 minutes spare.  When we got receipts in Oxford we became surrounded by friendly party-goers, asking the usual 'what are you doing' questions.  The last stretch back to the Peartree car park didn't seem to drag this time.  We said our goodbyes and I snugged into a sleeping bag.  I woke up at day break and then drove off home, still stopping at each service station on the way.

Fabulous day.  My conclusion that my audaxing journey is coming to an end has been shattered again.

Many thanks to Andrew Rodgers for organising the ride. 

Photos are here: MyPhotos

Other thoughts:

• Seeing Frank at the start being able to congratulate him on his engagement.
• Seeing zigzag, the zigzagging Transcontinental hero.
• Seeing oh so many familiar faces like fboab and Priddy.
• Spring signs of skylarks, lambs, daffodils, willow catkins, and sun.
• My running hasn't done my climbing legs any good.
• Hearing the wild pigs in the Forest of Dean.
• Francis on fixed wheel.

The Dean 300 - 29 March

The Dean 300 can be described as a 'Wales and back' ride.  It starts in Oxford (where you'll find oxes), goes west to the Forest of Dean (where you'll find wild pigs), takes you to the half way point at Chepstow (where you'll find Wales), goes to the most southerly point of Marlborough (where you'll find white horses) and then back north to Oxford.

I spent yesterday afternoon audaxifying my bike, which had me thinking about the highlights from previous years:

• sunrise as we cycle out of Oxford into the country side
• skylarks and daffodils
• Cotswolds
• hearing the wild pigs in the Forest of Dean
• the chalk horses in Wiltshire - when I'm quick enough to get there in daylight
• lunch in Chepstow's Aslan's cafe (yes this list is in a random order)
• Severn Bridge
• the climb to Somerset monument
• the magnificent Membury services, only audaxers would note that as a highlight!

In good conditions, this is a fabulous ride showing off some great British countryside.  Weather forecast for next weekend is promising.  I need to be mindful of headwind on way back and the temperature dropping after dark.   Looking forward to it.

Forest of Dean on previous ride.