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 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.

The Dean 300

I had a 'Sneezing Panda' moment on the way to Oxford (Sneezing Panda).  It was going to be a glorious day.  I was looking forward to the day's cycling, the Dean 300, my favourite ride.  How wonderful, I thought, a full day's worth of doing your favourite thing.  Forecast was fantastic.  I was hoping for scenery, sunshine and skylarks and knew that I was going to get all of that.  I was basking in anticipated, but guarded, enjoyment.  300km is a long way, a lot can happen, I know that much.  And I was loving Rob da Bank's show on the radio.  A bonus of early Oxford starts on a Saturday, is listening to Rob da Bank. He was playing some great new tunes.  When he summoned the 'Six O'Clock Cockerel' is when I had my 'Sneezing Panda' moment.  Six o'clock!  But that is the start of the ride! And I'm in the car! What am I doing here?  I knew it was a six o'clock start.  I can still see it on the route sheet as I was laminating the sections.  How come I'm still on the road?

It is the years of audax experience that told me to consider the options calmly.  I had allowed myself 45 minutes fettling time, so I was still going to arrive with the organiser present at the start.  Getting hold of the brevet card is all that needed to be done.

45 was reduced to 15, and I was off.  Soon, in the wonderful misty landscape with the sun trying to come through.

All that mist has a golden lining!  I was lantern rouge.  No doubt about it.  As a novice audaxer, I thought being the lantern rouge was a bad thing - it signalled failure to me.  Words like 'bad thing' and 'failure' do not exist in the audax language.  Being the lantern rouge is something to aim for!  And now, I had given it to myself on a plate.  Congratulations!

First control, Stow.  Ahh, fabulous.  It had already been wonderful with scenery and skylarks.  And it was going to get even better when the sun comes through!

I sat on the pavement eating breakfast with a milkshake.  I noticed how red my shins were.  Strange.  A cyclist arrives.  It's Lycra Man!  I was so pleased to see him.  My second reaction was lantern rouge related.

I pointed out my red shins.  How can you get burnt in the fog and with the sun behind you?

Lycra Man can set quite a pace.  And me on my racing bike, managed to keep up with him.  Soon we were in the next control and caught up with other riders, Bez, Julian, Pete....  I have the last of my lantern rouge thoughts.

The Dean is the most fantastic ride.  If you had visitors and wanted to show off the country side, you could drive them around the route.  I struggled to visualise that though.  The thought of sitting in a car for 300km put me off.  Cycling 300km is ok, but driving it seems like a marathon. Odd, no?

Stephen under Blackpool Bridge

You'd certainly have to stop at Blackpool Bridge: "The only Roman Road junction with the original road surface still intact" - Bike 99 Site.  I hadn't taken notice of that bridge before.  Just like I had never spotted the water mill in Upleadon.

On two occasions, I tried to take pictures of birds.  On both occasions, a car drove past at the right time to scare off the birds.  Aaaargghh!!  Cars!!  Those things that get me to and from an audax ...  While I was in angry mood, I brooded on a phrase that is being used more and more: 'raw honey'.  Makes me so angry!!  Honey is honey.  It is only because the commercially accepted norm is to sell heat treated honey, that they have to add a word to indicate it has not been heat treated.  They never called it 'heat treated honey' did they.  And what's the opposite of raw?  Cooked?  You don't get cooked honey, why would they use the word raw?  It's honey extracted from the comb with nothing added, nothing taken away, nothing done to it.  I do agree, that it is the best.  A type of 'Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé' type of campaign would be appropriate.  Freshly extracted honey is the very best.  So if you know a local beekeeper, ask them when they might be extracting next (they will not tell you an exact date!), and ask if you may buy a couple of jars - pay them generously, it's worth it.  That freshly extracted honey flavour, smell and texture, last around 10-20 days I'd say, depending of the time of the year and locality.

Forest of Dean

Big thank you to the organiser.  Thank you to the Solihull CC rider, for the company whilst completing the last legs in the dark.  I appreciated us chatting along as it was getting colder and colder.

Other thoughts:

• fancied ice cream in Chepstow
• no problems climbing upto Somerset Monument
• being on my racing bike reminded me why I bought an audax friendly bike
• seeing the tandem and waving at Chris.  Sorry to have missed fboab.  
• cold feet first and last thing
• seeing Jason leaving Stow in opposite direction

Photos are on the slideshow till the next ride or here: Clicky

Also nice photos by fboab: fboab's pictures

The Dean 300

I was admiring the legs of a Rapha rider in front of me. 'Like iceskater's legs', I thought. I must have had ice on my mind. Maybe from last week's FNRttC, where there was a bit of sheet ice to be negotiated. Or maybe from my new Icebreaker cycling jersey which has replaced my Rapha top as favourite. I now know why long distance cyclists have a tendency to wear 'the same old clothes'. You are going to be cycling for a long time, you want to be at your most comfortable, so the instinct is to wear your tried and tested kit. For this 300, I made the break. Don't fret, Raphaelites! I also have a new Rapha top which has knocked the old Mountain Equipment layer off the prestigious top long-sleeved spot.

Then again, was that a 'Rapha rider'? You never really know do you? You never know who they are or where they are. What about their .cc web extension? Have you ever heard of the Cocos Islands ...

Anyway, I was pleased I had all those lovely layers, as it was on the chilly side at times. Chilly enough to want to have a hanky at the ready, but a glove will do! LycraMan also said that it wouldn't rain. Good, so I took my waterproof off. How wonderful! I felt light and free.

I remembered the Upper Swell area from last year, lovely. We took the left turn to Farmcote and all of a sudden we were in thick fog. I say we, but I was on my own at that stage. Then out of nowhere three riders floated by me. The Rapha riders! I had nobody to ask for a reality check. Is this a ghost? But no, like Banksy, you know it when you see the real thing. It would have been a perfect Rapha-esque shot, black and white in the fog, soundless.

I'm pleased I have my 'I have to be focussed, go for time' ride out of the way. It is not nice. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the ride. I had a fast first half, far too big a lunch, and a slower second half, resulting in 30 minutes quicker than last year. I thought I was taking the PBP preparations a bit too casually, so told myself to get out of my comfort zone. From now I am going back to my 6 hours for 100km rule, with time for stopping and photos. I saw Honor at the start, she said she was going to 'do an Els' and had brought her camera phone. In an instant, I regretted my 'focussed and photo free' plan.

I couldn't help but take a few:

Newent

Newent

Coming out of the fog

Broad Hinton - Broad Town?

Ray and I did the section in the dark together again. Our stars get aligned once its dark! We did meet at the start and during the day. But only once it's dark do our speed and rhythm sync up. I was pleased for the company, because I did have thoughts of: 'If I'm going to ride in the dark, why don't I stick with FNRttC!' The last leg back to Oxford did seem to go on for ages.

It was nice to re-unite with Lee and Chillmoister a few times, usually, as they were leaving and I was arriving at a control point. I took a long break at Chepstow, where I went into the recommended Aslan's cafe. The waitress said that all the cyclists had chosen the Ultimate breakfast, what was I to do?

It was a good day, and the day after I could walk and wasn't holding my head at an angle. You soon forget the pain, and I'm already looking forward to the next qualifier, the Severn Across 400. But first! The Easter Arrow.

My thanks to Dave Bew as always for taking care of organising the event.

The Dean 300

What a great ride! Absolutely beautiful. But why why do we have to attach another 100km to a beautiful 200, only to cycle in the dark? You can't explain that to anybody. I don't understand it, but still expect non-cyclists not to question it. 'Its just something I do', I say.

I finished in under 18 hours again, as I did last time. With the difference, that this is earlier in the year, I took longer breaks and took photos. I also recall needing to get off the bike and walk a couple of times last year, which I didn't this time. That must have been upto Somerset Monument and then up Hackpen Hill.

So, I'm really pleased. This is my aim, to do a consistent 100 in 6 hours, with increased capacity to take breaks and photos. I adjust my non-cycling time according to how I'm doing in my 6 hour slot. Lycra Man looked puzzled at the Good News Cafe, when after 10 mins, I was announcing that I was ready to go again. But it was 12 noon you see, have to go! I felt guilty leaving him, because we just had a good section riding together. Must be careful not to get too OCD about this 6 hour melarky!

Lycra Man noticed my LEL bottle, so we had a quick chat about it. I quoted that if it hadn't been for the nasty weather I would say that LEL is not as hard as the Bryan Chapman. To which Iddu chuckled. Iddu was with me during my last deepest darkest hour of the BCM. He would have known exactly what I was referring to.

There was a comedy moment at Chepstow services. "No mobile phones on the forecourt". Didn't quite catch what was said the first time, but it was repeated soon enough, a little bit louder. When it was repeated again even louder, you couldn't help but look around to see who/what the announcer was getting upset about. And it was Mercury! He was on the phone and of course wouldn't have his ear pitched to the tannoy, but rather to the phone. So the lovely lady at the till, perched on her stool that was setup too high would angrily say it again "No mobile phones on the forecourt!" ... the sound was now distorted. Once Mercury caught on what was happening, rather than cut the conversation short and get off the phone, he just moved 5 paces out of sight of the lovely lady and probably CCTV. How cool was that!

The picture below is taken moments before the first announcement.

It was a fantastic ride, wonderful scenery, some great descents. Hi Fabian! Well done on winning E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Harelbeke!

Below are a few of the photos, the rest are on the slideshow till the next ride or here: Clicky

Sudeley Castle - Katherine Parr lived here after Henry VIII died.

Beautiful, beautiful Forest of Dean. The cyclist is Mercury.

"Gloucester Hole"

Only noticed the Union Jack after uploading the picture.

And is that a giant pre-historic creature crawling up into the hole?

Malmesbury Abbey with another royal connection.

King Athelstan ''King of all Britain" is buried here.

And this is Malmesbury 'Tower House'.

The tower being built by somebody interested in astronomy.

Photos on the slideshow till the next ride or here: Clicky