To avoid most of the traffic on the A272, I decided that an early start was called for, and opted to stay Friday night at the Hellingly Travelodge ready for a 06:00 departure. However, waking up early and wishing to get started I left shortly after 5am, having first got my Brevidence (a rather descriptive ‘word’ from El Supremo I believe) from the petrol station ATM.
The first stage was pleasant, with very little traffic all the way to Buckbarn. But as it got lighter, the westerly wind became more and more apparent, and contributed to a much slower speed than I planned for most of the ride. The wind was also chilly, resulting in me riding most of the day with arm and knee warmers, and my gillet until Chichester.
I didn’t hang around at Buckbarn. Just collected my brevidence from the ATM, since there was a large queue in the petrol station shop, and hit the road again. I wish I’d done this more often at the following controls. At least part of the next stage is southerly, so no headwind and I got some protection from the westerly from hedges and woods. The fact that I spent most of this stage thinking about what I would have to eat for breakfast at the Chichester control helped the km’s quickly pass.
Unlike my previous visit (El Supremo’s Perm 400k) to Sainsbury’s Café, the service was much quicker this time around, and soon I was enjoying a bowl of porridge (smothered in Golden Syrup), followed by beans on toast, all washed down with a Cappuccino. I also treated myself to a custard tart. This was to be the first of many leisurely breaks at each control to eat & drink, take on water, rest, and ultimately faff.
The next stage to Sutton Scotney was relatively uneventful, and since no rain to mist up my glasses this time I was able to take in the countryside. The brewery I had seen previously in Horndean was Gales, but this time I noticed through clear glasses that it and its Brewery Shop had been boarded up. (A search of the web shows that Fullers took over Gales in 2005 and closed the Brewery in 2006 ).
Turning by The Rising Sun Inn towards East Meon, (sorry no idea of the village) I was greeted by a procession of vintage cars. For the next 3k, there was a steady stream of these cars coming down the hill. To judge by the noise and the frantic actions of one of the car’s driver, its brakes were not that efficient. I just hope that they managed to stop before reaching the T junction. Shortly afterwards I passed a disused MOD site (?), surrounded by a security fence and lots of signs naming the security company protecting it. The fact that one door to a large boarded up building appears to have been partly pulled from its hinges, made me think that the site is not that secure after all. Shortly after there followed a downhill, on a single track, towards the A34. It was great, especially with the oncoming cars all stopping, in various passing places, to let me through without me having to apply the brakes. At the bottom of this hill, just before the junction onto the A34, I remembered that the road surface was in a very bad state of repair. On the 400 I somehow managed to bounce through this section and stop at the junction – just. So forewarned I stopped well short and had a chance to look more closely at a road surface of broken/missing tarmac, compounded by a large amount of hill wash.
Having managed to get round Winchester’s one way system, following the “All traffic signs”, I was soon climbing out of the city towards the next control at Sutton Scotney.
I had planned, depending on time, to stop off to eat at one of the village pubs I would be passing on the next stage, but since receipts were unavailable at the petrol stations ATM I decided instead to buy a tuna sandwich and some water from the shop. For some reason the time on the till was set 15mins forward. Why I never asked. The opportunity to rest and eat also meant I had another opportunity to faff - by taking off knee warmers and repack my rack pack. It seemed a good idea at the time. Therefore I spend a lot longer at the control than I intended. Maybe I should have tried one of the village pubs?
The next stage, to Leigh Delamere, was the first of the two longest stages and passed through a number of picturesque villages, full of picture postcard thatched cottages. The stage also included a number of stretches through rolling farmland, which I found boring. The stage was also lumpy. Nothing in the direction I was going was too steep, just a number of long drags. At least I could enjoy some fast descents. The one’s after Great Bedwyn towards the A4 and then off the escarpment before Broad Hinton, being the most memorable.
The section along the A4 into Marlborough I found hard going. Mainly due to the headwind, but at least it ended with another fast descent into the town.
Finally I arrived at the next control at the Leigh Delamere services. Since I had booked a room in the Travelodge that evening, I decided that would check in, dump the bike and then sort out an evening meal/restock supplies. Not the fastest service, but eventually I got a tuna panini melt, along with fish and chips with mushy peas (in place of beans on toast because they don’t do toast in the evening). These were soon consumed, except the fish that didn’t taste quite right.
Now it was time to get ready for the next stage, and a bit of night riding. Arm warmers, leg warmers, gillet and headlight were soon on. I had also remembered to bring my long fingered gloves this time, unlike the 400 where my hands got cold. The biggest problem however was having a room in the Travelodge. I wasted more time – faffing.
Having been forewarned by Andy T-V (Cyklisten) I took it easy down the first slope shortly after leaving LD. Passing through Grittleton I noticed a very large and strange house, that appeared to have numerous buildings and structure attached to it. (Searching the web this may have been the back of Grittleton House built in the mid 19th C).
The route into Old Sodbury was soon descending and I remember thinking that later I would have to climb back up this. Shortly after, I entered the wide high street of Chipping Sudbury. Being late Saturday evening it was time for me to start playing “Dodge the Drunks”. Luckily there were no collisions.
From Chipping Sodbury I entered Yate, and even with the map supplied with the route sheets by Dave Hudson, I got totally lost.
Arriving at a large set of traffic lights, expecting to turn right following a sign to A38 Thornbury, there was no such sign. Believing I was still on the correct route, I made the mistake of asking some locals for help, instead of retracing my steps. The first were a group of 20 Something’s waiting at a Kebab van, who among themselves confirm I was on the correct route. WRONG. Continuing on, down a hill, I soon arrived in a place called Nibley, well off the intended route. Asking a couple outside a PH for help again they confirmed I was on the right road. WRONG. So I continued on before I met a middle aged couple out for a late evening walk, who quickly confirmed I was going the wrong way and also explained how to get back. Shortly after leaving I remembered that my mobile includes Sat Nav, which confirmed I was now heading in the right direction, with several additional km’s to cover. Eventually I arrived at the junction noted on my route sheet, but from the opposite direction.
Lesson’s learnt:
1) Backtrack to the last know point on the route and
2) Don’t ask people who have been drinking for help.
After this detour around Yate, I eventually arrived at the Severn Bridge, whose red lights could be seen for several miles getting closer and closer.
Twenty km’s later I arrived at the Magor Services, and quickly obtained my Brevidence with the purchase of a cappuccino and flapjack. At least I was not asked, to quote Andy T-V "any fiyuwell?"
Now being Sunday I didn’t hang around for a change, wishing to get back to LD for some sleep.
Retracing the route back to the Severn Bridge, I was expecting some problems with the hills I had descended coming. However, now having a tailwind helped me along at a faster pace than I expected, and soon I was seeing the lights of the bridge getting closer.
The route from the Severn Bridge to Yate was slightly different to the outward journey, and the route instruction to turn left at the top of Washingpool Hill Road should have forewarned me. I’ve finally realised that when Dave includes the word ‘hill’ on the route sheet a low gear is called for. I missed this hint and struggled up said hill in far too high a gear and admitted defeat just before reaching the top. (Having an old bike I was too busy holding the handle bars to reach down to the gear levers on the down tube.) After a relatively short break for a breather and a can of Red Bull I resume my journey towards Yate.
Taking the correct route this time I arrived at a large roundabout and understood now how I had got lost previously. So anyone wishing to do this ride in the future please remember that when in Yate on the Goose Green Way, you take the 3rd exit at the roundabout shortly after the Fox PH. NOT the second, unless you wish to go to Bristol.
By now I realised I would not be getting much sleep once I arrived back at the Travelodge, so I spent my time trying work out how much sleep I could have. I never came up with an answer, sticking to my original plan of leaving at 06:00, but the mental arithmetic kept me awake to get back
Arriving at LD, I nearly forgot to obtain my Brevidence, being more in need of sleep. Unfortunately the services were busy with only a single person serving and it took a while to get my water and pots of yoghurt, and the all important till receipt.
Managing less than 2 hours of sleep, I finally rolled out of the Travelodge car park around 06:30. At least it was dawn, and I was greeted by a buzzard flying across my path, just before I recrossed the M4.
This stage back to Sutton Scotney, I found the hardest and came close to packing several times. Turning the pedals was hard work, and knowing the route, admittedly from a night ride on the 400, I was aware of the hills to come. Getting through Chippenham was no problem and I then slowly made my way to Calne.
Naturally I looked forward to the downhills, a chance to rest, it was just the uphills I hated, and the one to Bishops Cannings would be soon. Being early Sunday morning I started to meet a number of cyclists, or more correctly they met me when they overtook. The Bishops Canning hill was easier than I expected, having selected a low(er) gear well before the start and keeping a regular tempo. What was I worrying about?
By Pewsey I had started to get the legs moving with a lot less effort, and with the sun making an appearance, started to feel much better. During the ride into Pewsey I kept seeing warning and direction signs for a road race, but no sign of riders. Arriving in Pewsey the lack of riders was obvious – I was too early since they were still in a local car park ready to start. But not all of them! I was delayed a couple of times getting through Pewsey while the local Carnival Committee strung lights across the main roads. At least I could walk along the pavement, unlike the cars stuck in a traffic jam coming into the town. A couple had road bikes on them. I wonder where they were going?
I was hoping the wind that had affected my ride yesterday would provide me some help today. Unfortunately it started to feel that each road I took was into the wind. It may be due to the way that the land funnels the wind, but now realise it was a front and the start of a period of squally wet weather.
At least the rain had been short lived and not that heavy, and I eventually arrived at the next control in Sutton Scotney.
Except for yoghurt, I had not eaten much of a breakfast so decided to control at the Little Chef Services instead of the petrol station. The place was very busy, but I managed to get a table and quickly ordered a brunch – porridge with maple syrup, beans on toast and coffee. Okay there was an extra slice of toast, but compared to my first breakfast on this ride at the Chichester control significantly smaller portions. Cost at Chichester was £4.37 and it included a custard tart. Cost at Sutton Scotney was £8.87.
Next stop the ATM at the Midhurst control.
I’d previously done the next stage on the 400, but in the dark, and at the time it was foggy and I had problem seeing the road with my glasses constantly steaming up. No problem this time and I enjoyed all the downhill encountered. I wonder if the hill leading down into Steep, gave it its name. At least I didn’t need to use the brakes so much this time
Once I’d reached the A272, things started to lookup. A tailwind at last to help me along and I was soon in Midhurst. First stop an ATM to get some money and the all important Brevidence. Next, afternoon tea and cake, well coffee and cake and a short rest.
The next two stages I had only ridden the weekend before doing El Supremo’s Hailsham Liss Perm 200. I was also getting back onto familiar roads, and although within striking distance of home, confident of finishing my first 600k. The only stretch I was not looking forward to was that between Steyning and the control at Pyecombe. The undulating route I always found hard going, but not today with the tailwind, and I was soon at the penultimate control.
However, by now the body was starting to suffer and pressing down on the left pedal was becoming painful. Did I have hotfoot, something I’d heard other rides mention?
On arriving at the petrol station I quickly got some food, drink and the all important Brevidence. I then removed my cycling shoes, stretched my toes and enjoyed my food. Bliss. This did the trick.
With the last stage ahead I was for once organised and quickly got ready for some night riding. No faffing this time. Maybe I’m getting the hang of this long distance riding. Or was it the lure of finishing?
A quick phone call to my wife to arrange for my lift home, and I was off for the last time. I was on my local roads and know exactly the way back to Hailsham without the route sheet. It was at the start of this section that I encountered problems with passing cars. An incident on the A23 was causing southbound traffic to back up. This caused a queue of cars down Clayton Hill, trying to join the A23, and a constant stream of cars, getting off the A23 going up Clayton Hill – ALONG WITH ME. I lost count of the number of cars who squeezed past me on this seemingly wide road. At least the driver following me down the other side was courteous and hung well back to let me take the right turn.
By now I was flying, getting ever closer to the finish. Maybe it was the tailwind. Maybe it was the sports drink I’d had. Maybe it was the realisation that after Clayton Hill it was relatively flat all the way to Hellingly. Whatever the reason or reasons, 40 hours and 3 minutes since leaving the petrol station I was back at the ATM collecting my final Brevidence. Job done
Anton
621km (thanks to my Yate detour), 21976Kcal, Climbed no idea, Total time 40hrs 3 mins, Total time on bike 34 hrs 34mins, Total Time off bike 5hrs 29mins (1hr 49mins SLEEP)
My First SR Series consists of:
Mar 2009 The Upper Tea 200
Apr 2009 The Hailsham (Venta) 300
Aug 2009 El Supremo’s Permanent 400
Aug 2009 El Supremo’s Permanent 600
