I'm slightly sore in the legs, but very satisfied with a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
Went out with no firm plan for my ride. The only idea early pre-ride was that I'd probably ride with Tomsk and grab a pint somewhere. However, very early on, I went for a bit of a spin up to the front group to et the blood moving, and after a short spell discussing the Ortlieb saddle pack with Fidgetbuzz, looked round for Tomsk and Deneice, but there was no sign, so in the end I decided to stay with the group (~9 folks) to Ixworth, planning to hang on in the cafe and re-join Tomsk then.
In the end, most of the group were controlling at the village shop (we'd got in at 11:53, just before it's closing time of 12:00 (despite the clock on the till indicating 13:19 which would put us 7 minutes of time at that control). When Fidgetbuzz and Needham-matt set off I decided to make hay while the sun shone and try to blast across to Halesworth while the wind was at our back (apart from the last section this would be probably the only opportunity for that). A group of about five of us formed up. About 10 or so km in, I decided to take a pull on the front (may as well get that in while the wind's behind
). Unfortunately, I (mostly accidentally) rode off the front. I got to Halesworth a couple of minutes ahead of the others. Into the Bridge cafe at 14:00 (where the till clock was also incorrect - reading 13:44 on my receipt - indicating 25 minutes for the ~50k from Ixworth going purely on receipt times
). A coffee, a curly wurly (the food of champions!) and a plate of beans on toast went down very well.
After lunch, we formed up for the run to Reedham. Eventually, myself and a chap in a blue gore windstopper gilet (whose name I didn't catch, but who did a lot of the pulls on the front) went on ahead. I was eventually dropped by the fast chap just before the ferry, but caught up with him waiting for it. Just as it finally crossed over to pick us up, Fidgetbuzz and Needham-matt hove into view: perfect timing.
I rode with the fast chap again, but eventually couldn't keep up. We met up again at the co-op in Acle, and headed off together just as somebody else (I think this was Andy, from near Manningtree, not currently of this parish) was arriving. Again, it wasn't long before I dropped behind the fast chap and never saw him again.
I escaped one heavy shower in Wroxham by sheltering under a tree. I got drenched later on though, being caught away from any obvious shelter. Comparing notes later in Melton Constable, it seems the others had had thunder/lightning in their showers which I didn't get. My own particular bonus weather feature was a brief hailstorm.
In Melton Constable, I spotted the chippy that Fidgetbuzz had mentioned at lunchtime. Fishcakes, large chips and curry sauce and a full-fat coke. The others arrived about 10 minutes later. I bought a ludicrous amount of water at the co-op next door (two 1.5 litre bottles since they were on a BOGOF - more than enough for everyone to top off bottles and drink some there and then).
After dinner, I decided to try and push on a bit again. This time, I had a specific goal in mind (of which more below) and rode off the front again. I controlled at the ATM in Wells (@20:04), having in any case exhausted my cash reserves. I saw the other three chaps approaching just as I left. It was a relief to turn out of the headwind that prevailed on the Halesworth->Wells section, even if it then became a cross-wind.
At around 9 pm, on the A1065, I saw what I'd been looking for: a pub - the Fox and Hounds at, I think, Weasenham. I stopped there for a pint, and to change my clothing fiddle with lights and generally rig myself for night-time running. I also took the opportunity to wash the salt off my face and put some Sudocrem on a patch at the front/top of my right thigh which had got chafed a bit. This pit-stop was the reason I had wanted to ride off prior to Wells
. A couple of leisurely Adnam's and 40 mins later, I was ready to hit the road again. (after transferring two pieces of Staffordshire oatcake and cheese to my jersey pocket to munch on the next leg). The barman informed me that he'd seen a group of three cyclists go past (Andy, FidgetBuzz and Needham-matt almost certainly) whilst I was in the gents.
Caught up with Andy, Fidgetbuzz and Needham-matt in Swaffham, as they appeared form the left having nipped off to the garage for water. Rode out of Swaffham with them. We rode together for quite a bit of the run to Red Lodge, but eventually either I got faster or the others slowed and I went off again.
Red Lodge at 12:25 was a lot quiter than it's reputation would suggest. Just one other customer, a truck driver drinking a cuppa. I settled in with a black coffee and a square of Madeira cake to wait for the others.
Andy arrived ahead of Fidgetbuzz and Needham-matt, having been urged to go on ahead since he was running faster than they were. FB and N-m arrived and puddings were consumed. FB and N-m decided to try and catch a bit of sleep there, and Andy and I headed off onto the A11.
We arrived in Saffron Walden around 03:00, so dutifully followed the route sheet instructions to phone Herman to let him know we were setting off from there prior to 04:00 (@03:15). I told him that we would probably be between 2.5 to 3 hours. In the end it was almost exactly 3 hours later by the time we had negotiated the decidedly lumpy last leg.
Total time 20:10 or 20:15 in the end, I think. Faster than I expected. A cup of coffee and a lovely square of bread pudding at the finish helped with recovery and then it was on to Manningtree station to see if there were any trains yet. In the end I waited about 35 mins for the first train of the day at 07:33 (I hadn't thought to research the timetable at that early hour
BTW Andy was riding his first 400. He recorded his fastest ever 100 200 and 300 rides on this outing. Nice going.
