Rode with Raymond and Dean until Therfield, right on the time limit at Biggleswade and had been suffering from severe foot cramp , or possibly too much compression above the ankle, but I had to keep stopping, as we did on the Ashwell lane where traffic was non stop. Made the decision to send Dean and Raymond on to get the time, with only 40 to go, but Raymond sacrificed his points to stay with me. Did not feel like moving from the Silver Ball after taking on liquids, but managed to get the the top of the Henham climb and had a sit down on the bench there, before rolling into the Angel and Harp after 6pm and dining with Raymond. So completed the ride, in our own time.
No problem with fitness but my feet still are sore now, and I wish I had my carbon bike back from the shop, it is worth 2kmh extra speed but they cannot get the parts to service it, so that would have made a difference to my heavy winter bike. My first 300 since the heart attack, so happy to have pushed the distance and moved on from a mental blockage about going above 200 again.
Good to see many familiar faces, Jane and Chris at every control until they passed us on the Ashwell lane, a mini posse at Whittlesey, and more riders than expected at Cambridge, being entertained or intimidated by the local racist drunk at the Esso garage, I thought it might turn nasty at one point. thanks to Tom for signing our cards and getting us out of there. The revellers in Cambridge were quite subdued this year which made for an easy passage. Special mention for Milen from Team MK, doing his first 300 with Ritchie. Not too long ago he was riding in the introductory club group that I lead, but with the encouragement and inspiration of Ritchie he has become a fully fledged nutter!
So apart from the points, and any faint hopes of an SR this year, it was a successful ride and next time should be fine, I have done it before with 2 hours to spare and it is a usually a good time of year for night riding.
And finally big thanks to Raymond for being the friend that he is.