Paperwork done and in the post to you Ian.
Exe-Buzzard
Well it was effing hot!
After double checking I’d forgotten my mitts I Arrived at the depart in good time 05:59 – going wrong from the start as usual where a cursory glance over the route sheet would have helped reduce my instant errors getting away from Eggzegeter.
The run to Wells was great rolling roads in the comparatively cool morning I had 2 x 1L bottles on the go anticipating heat in the daytime and minimal night options and this was enough at this time of day to get me there without stopping.
Onto Cirencester, the sun was increasing its focus and after the hills around Bath I had to refill at Malmesbury as I’d already gone through my bottles, they were near enough empty again when I arrived in Cirencester. Ice Creams, Milkshake and Crisps – bosh!
The roads between Cirencester, Brakley and Leighton Buzzard appeared to have gone on an exchange trip with the surface of the Sun, everywhere was incredibly yellow and there was no shade on any of the roads. I really started to regret not having gloves as my bar tape had become a slippy mess and the hoods were too hot (I see reason for white ones!).
After being cheered by a flag waving crowd of England fans outside a pub (I guessed they’d won) I stopped in Leighton Buzzard for a Chinese take-away and went to find some shade. It was pretty uneventful through Pangbourne and Chandlers Ford although Winchester and Salisbury offered a good range of drunks but the traffic was light and appeared “sensible”.
I’d started fairly tired so stopped for two naps between Salisbury and Sherbourne but once the sun came up things were ok again. Starting the ride I’d considered taking just a tool pack as the forecast was so good however overnight I did need my arm warmers as the high temperatures seemed to create super concentrated frost hollows/cold pockets in the low spots, at sunrise I saw mist spilling/pouring out of a field over the hedge onto the road like a dry ice machine.
Sherbourne to Exeter was suitably hilly – hillier than I remember.
I’d committed to riding straight through well before the weather we had was forecast as the electrification of the Severn Tunnel was going to make a meal of getting trains home to Cardiff on the Sunday. I think it worked out for the best, the thought of another day in that sun and heat did not appeal!
Other than the heat it was an enjoyable ride/route although I’d either underestimated the hills or how overweight I am. Best of all it gave me SR year #10 so subject to validation I got my Ultra Randonneur
– where have the years gone