I can confirm that the NE wind was indeed a bit tough. I've ridden the Dean every year since 2009 and for me this was the toughest, not helped by ridding the whole thing on my own. But you know, it could have been worse. Back at the train station 6.40
that;s good to know, I was close to packing at Membury services, the section from Malmesbury to Membury was probably the slowest 50km I have ever done. I just felt wrecked, no legs and so tired it was unbelievable. I had been thinking of entering Severn across if this went well, but at the end of the ride decided a flatter 400 would make more sense. Now it seams the Severn Across could be viable provided there is a south westerly wind.
Also a good job the white horse on the second climb was on the right side of the road, while the horse on the first climb was on the left, or I might have felt I was stuck in a horrific time loop.
If there had been an easy way back to Oxford from there I may well have taken it. luckily after a short rest and a lot of food (which was more expensive, less satisfying and took longer to acquire than the weatherspoons in Chepstow)
thanks to the organisers and the originator for a great ride, I loved the costwolds and the forest of dean, and even the climb up to the Somerset monument was challenging rather than painful. my next action is to work out how to make my garmin last longer, it died at Cumnor, luckily easy peasy to get back from there but a pain having to join gpx files together for the full ride
things I learned
eat more, controls are for stodgy food, and sugary foods for between controls.
on longer rides, make my own gps files for each section of the ride, the points were a little far apart, making the gps track a little vague in places
at each control read the routesheet for the next section, and note any "easily missed" turns
garmin only lasts 15 hours from a full charge. bring means of topping up on long rides.
what went well
stopping at whetherspoons in chepstow, a bit of comfort in the middle of the ride, decent food, quick and cheap. I was amazed there weren't more cyclists using it. apparently you can even reserve tables if you can predict your arrival time.
layering, base layer, merino jersey, softshell, and gilet seemed about right for this (switch gilet for the hi vis rain jacket for the night section)