Well, I expected it to be tough, and it was. After a late start due to traffic congestion in Poole a solo run over to Weymouth where I caught up with a few riders and headed over to Portland, a lovely section, then through the hills to Beaminster with a taster of things to come. Turning right to avoid the Abbotsbury climb I encountered another that was just as tough, and then after some lovely smooth tarmac laid on for us in a valley a second monster climb. Sky was overcast and mist was forming on the coastal hills, spoiling the views. Short stop and on to the village hall controls, these were all excellent. After Buckland and on up onto the blackdown hills, were those stars? Where was the cloud from earlier?
Second village hall and time a short nap, air beds and blankets provided, luxury.
More hills, which were relentless but managable and the sky was lightening, no rosy fingered dawn alas, just a transition from dark to light. Then finally a hill out of Woolland which was too much for me, walk to the top, see the bluebells and race for breakfast at Whitechurch Winterbourne, there were 7 of us together here approaching control close time, with the assurance that we should make up time on the next two sections we pushed on. I got the dozies here I could feel my speed dropping. So rainjacket and gilet off and suffer the cold instead. Until the drizzle started, the walking again up to Alfred's tower.
Crockerton with half an hour in hand, ice cream and bacon butty for second breakfast, same seven riders met together again here just before control closing time before the final flatter push, finally arriving at Lytchett Minster with about 90 minutes left. This last section would have been a lovely ride I think, but by this stage I was sleepy, my legs were aching and I just wanted to get the ride finished, but the kms to go ticked down so slowly
Definitely the hardest BRM I have ever done, and all the comments about the 300/200 in a weekend being tougher were proven false in my mind. The first 300km of Porkers felt as tough as the hard boiled and took longer (for me) and then instead of a 12 hour rest before a 200 I had to continue with another 100km.
Still a few weeks to recover and then the Brimstone, which will probably raise the suffering bar again. At least PBP will feel easy after this.
Time in hand, Portland 01:24, Beaminster 1:57, West Buckland 1:57, Corscombe 2:03 (nap here), Whitechurch Winterbourne 0:38, Crockerton 0:38, Arrivee 1:30 (approximately as I don't have my card in front of me)
