This is Jan Rigolle's story (translated from Dutch - for the original see:
http://www.wielertoerist.be/nochain/verhalen/The+perfect+failure/?did=18985&modus=view& )
Below is my London-Edingbrough-London story. Don’t see it in any way as a failure, and certainly not as an excuse alibi, but tried sincerely to give my feelings of "A four and a half days amazing adventure in the UK".
Preview
After Paris-Brest in '15 and Mille Miglia '16 in London, 17 was in London for a while. It was barely a month after the French "mother of all Randonneurs rides" the one Frank Steenput made us mad to write already for something similar in the UK. A ride with wind and rain is guaranteed, so the cliché goes. But sometimes clichés reflect likely reality.
After the summer of '16 I had mentally a difficult winter. I literally cracked in the BRM 200-drive Wachtebeke early December. Oh irony, namely the drive to Heimat and the tomb of one Frank VDB. The attempt to immediately jump on the bandwagon of the new "Year Around Brevet" of Rondonneurs proved a big mistake for me. Certainly when the January ride was canceled by the weather. Knowing that I used to be the subtropical type I did not even think so much. What followed were 3 really hard-working months ...
Well, the annual festival of the Belgian Randonneurs.be was on the agenda in mid-February. The week before I had been a little fiddling with the practical arrangements for the adventure of summer 2017. This time I could not count after all, the perfect organization talent Geert Lammens, who chose a new Italian adventure in late June. On Booking.com I already booked 3 nights at The Bell Hotel in Epping. According to the data I found at 10km from Loughton, the starting point of our London adventure. Would at the randonneurs party sometimes hear what the other Belgian participants were their plan? Perhaps I found a companion on the route.
This proved to be a good estimate because Andy Claeskens, who had been driving the Randonneurs for several years, proved to be very interested. For him it will be his first big foreign adventure. Strong he is quite enough, but rather liked the experience I gained in recent years in such events. The idea with the car to drive there, he saw also sit the first informal agreements have already been made. But we still had plenty of time later in the year to materialize everything. There was also a discussion about choice of start hours and dropbag places, randonneurs among them.
The choice was on Sunday July 30th between 6am and 8am, then you got 100 hours (formula, sleep, eat, bike) or the 117 hours: this gave you a lot more margin, but you could only start between 9am and 4pm. Not that this should make the difference to me. Was tempted to try to start as early as possible and ready to make a long first day.
So I wanted to avoid as much as possible night riding. My plans to install had indeed fallen into the water with a hub dynamo headlight for winter '16 -'17. Had nevertheless vowed after the Mille Miglia that had to be in order against the LEL. Experience has taught me now that you have to run very fast to complete such journeys with no night work during 3 to 4 days.
So later, in April, was finally chosen to start to go for 6am start and BagDrop Thirsk and Edinbrough drop. Aim would therefore be the first day 407km ride, continuation of the tactical plan was Monday night, end of the 2nd day, to sleep at the turning point in Edinbrough. The Tuesday would then be evaluated. Theory, all beautiful, though I normally do such things usually good estimate.
Did not we used to know each other not so long and so well, it turned right clicking well one way or another. The small contacts we had for the practical arrangements, usually via messenger, went very smoothly. Andy and I would be in the same starting block. Really agreed to ride together was not there. Neither did I know that Andy was doing a suit above my level. In addition, in the spring I suffered with severe stress factors, causing me even severe sleep disorders. My (bike) resistance was completely undermined. In late April, early May I was thinking even to cancel everything.
I would like to thank a few people who supported me in this difficult period. So Yves Verstuyf waited with Lieven Eggermont me several times during my first BRM 200 in Tournai, notwithstanding I exhorted them to ride on.
However, a real turning point in morality was the "400" in Tournai, where we coincided with 5 women / husband all day, namely Liesbeth, Steven, Arlindo, Bernard and myself. It was a long but inspiring day! Since then was in my head, I had more than two months to be ready for LEL. Furthermore stood the meantime for me, classical BRM 600 Great Bigard (3rd participation in a row) and the RM-1200 Herentals Cosne-Herentals (fourth consecutive participation) on the program.
This should be sufficient preparation. Did I know that I could never get my level from Mille Miglia '16, and certainly not that of PBP '15, but was still satisfied with the form.
Andy picked me up at home on Friday July 28th, 2 days before the event, well acclimatizing is important. And without stress all starting formalities can perform also gives mental rest. The ferry boat allowed us to leave our everyday worries on the continent. My booking at "The Bell Hotel" turned out to be a bullseye. Exploring by bike, this proved to be only 5 kilometers from the start site! On Friday night, we politely greeted the Facebook invitation for a welcome party by London's Hackney Randonneurs club, a good 20km by bike along the Thames.
On Saturday we pulled out of a short city trip "London by bike", while we traveled by train to London Bridge. Then we stopped at a kind of pop-up bar: "Look mum, no hands". After a delicious coffee, we put our site on to The Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, Big Ben and Westminster Cathedral.
The obligatory pictures in the world-renowned red British phone booths should of course not be missing. By 16:00 we had to be back at the Davenant Foundation School. After all, we had a free photo rendezvous with the other Belgian participants. Was a cozy affair in a friendly atmosphere.
I also saw some known faces of "all over the world" of my previous adventures. "Randonering, it's a small world after all"
Then Andy and I were eating in Epping a mile further than our Hotel. The weather welcomed us with a hot shower. Wannes Vermaercke, who I learned during PBP '15 would still join us in the Fish and Chips. For me, just "Chips". Fortunately, the fries are fries! The rest of our evening was filled with bicycle preparation and of course the CB ritual, in which Andy willingly led.
After a short but refreshing night's sleep, we finally managed to get started. 2 kilometers far, I realized a first practical omission: that is, I had planned to hide a bottle of Chimay Blue at the school premises for after the finish on Thursday. What did you think, the precious thing got forgot in Andy's car ... Sorry! The first fast group just left away when we got there. It was also practical that you could already eat / breakfast at the starting place from 4am, there were even rosties!
Day 1 Loughton-Thirsk, 407km 15:52
6am were Andy and I, the only Belgians start in the B group. Together with 23 others. The first stage was 100km to St-Ives. From the beginning there was a fairly tight pace on a mostly wavy course. I soon realized that I was in the climbing work with our group's lesson. Was either the somewhat lesser condition than in previous years or maybe little too heavily loaded bike, who knows. Many things were not overlooked, which I did not really think wisely. Maybe a pace 2km per hour slower group was slightly longer held together and everyone would eventually have taken advantage here.
For a mandatory stop on a closed road, I could easily take some pictures of our companions. Among other things, a Luxemburger rode in a retro Peugeot sweater. He told us that it was an original of his father, who still rode in the team with Simpson in the 60s. After about 60 km I was alone and rolled on without forcing: about 5 minutes after Andy at the first checkpoint.
The second stage went towards the infamous "Fens", say the dikes. Here Andy felt completely in his mind, our group was now a bit more compact and my feelings became better. Even because the pace was slightly lower. The promised backwind on the first day became an annoying "crosswind", but ah what, we Flandriens are just about.
After 60km we arrived quite quickly in Spalding, where we were warmly welcomed. Because we started in the 2nd group, it was also very quiet at the places of supply. Here and there could have been a joke with one of the many volunteers (volunteers) that this event rich. Above all, a young lady hit me behind the buffet which was very polyglot and jovial!
Up to Louth then, a ride of 83km where we were treated to a LEL experience full option. Wind, rain and self in the distance a lonely thunderstorm. Our group was so different because one already stopped slightly faster than the other to put on rain gear. By the time we finally arrived in Louth started getting drier again. What was noticed that every control did have some variation on meals. Here I bought an extra coke, this was one of the only things that were not included in our registration price.
Around 45 minutes later, we left again, happily in drier conditions than we arrived. This stage of a little 100km led us to one of the symbols of this famous ride, namely the "Humber Bridge", a serious suspension bridge that we had to pass both the way and the way back. (Let me tell you that this bridge even long would have been the longest suspension bridge in the world, do not know if that's right?)
A compulsory photo stop was held here. About 40 miles later we arrived in Pocklington. We were still on track to achieve our goal for that first day, sleeping on the next stop in Thirsk. There were also our first bagdrop with fresh clothes and some shower gear. That night I slept an hour or four. That was all right as much as during my whole Paris-Brest in '15! The shower we held for the morning, which was immediately even one shower more than on the French adventure. To quote my wife: "Men can sometimes be dirty beasts ..."
Day 2, Thirsk-Moffat, 220km 10:25
The first stage that day led us to Barnard Castle, early Andy played with the idea to spend the first night. This was by far the most beautiful control location of the entire ride. An outbuilding of a real castle (Barnard Castle, what's in a name?).
Piercebridge we stopped I asked an extra stop at a gas station, in the morning I have one of my addictions may enslave, namely coffee. First we went to the petrol station's shop, but Andy had soon noticed that there was a truck stop 50m away. After my coffee was on, we went inside. I ordered me a real "omelette nature", because Andy was too hot coffee I got myself still time to buy a 2nd. In retrospect, this "double" stop might be a mistake because, with Daniel De Nijs on my side, this would never have been true. (See conclusion)
At the checkpoint in Barnard Castle we met the first Belgians, men who left after us but (yet) had not slept or less than we. Here I got to chat with Kris Clerckx one who had more than moderate interest in us experiencing. Turn out a freelance journalist who sometimes goes for Grinta! works. We also found Marcel Fieremans, one of the most experienced Belgian randonneurs, who made his LEL debut. With 8 PBPs in his palmares experience is no shortage.
We also saw a British couple for the first time, whose young lady was far above the average beauty side. When they gave each other a hug and we responded to it. Could there laughing with her friend, he spontaneously came up to us to grasp also encourage our firm. The miss could laugh less, the next day I would notice that laughing was not her greatest talent.
Andy and I left here with Marcel, this ride was about Yad Moss, the highest point of the LEL. Already, I had trouble fighting gravity and had to draft Andy and Marcel. Did not feel bad, but did not want to blow me up, even though it became clear that our ways were divorced. It seemed strange that Andy suddenly got back from behind me. He managed to inform me that he go and inspect the sanitation of the local population was ..
For a long time, he was not in my neighborhood, even though I was not lonely. I was able to entertain myself with some British colleagues. A group of a man or 5 who kept driving together. After the beautiful downhill descent towards Alston, I suddenly saw cyclists standing at a supermarket / gas station. Hmm, an ice cream because I felt like in, Kristof mindful I chose a Magnum. That certainly will not hurt, I thought. Now I was solo on the road could I let my mind while riding the run wild, dreaming, I can really enjoy.
When I Brampton stop an hour later I was suddenly approached by a sympathetic American, one Tom (...). He had something more difficult than me and took him into my wheel. Then he thanked me with a medallion with the Golden Gate Brigde. Exactly the same as those of PBP Times 2 years ago, with a similar action. Though my kopwerk now have been as impressive as ever.
On checking at Brampton, I saw Andy, who wanted to borrow £15 for me to buy a new tyre: his was showing quite some wear. Then he went solo and we agreed that we would do keep in touch via our social media. Marcel Inside sat in the refectory still some food. We discussed the options for the next stage. Here you have a clear choice between a flatter A 4km track was longer or B track was "Hilliger". Marcel would go for the first option, I finally opted for the B option. Namely the wind was still inclined to, and reflected in a wavy course there are less affected. Afterwards the good choice was found. A varied trail with scenic views, occasionally threatening clouds in the background. Fortunately, I could largely avoid it.
As I left in Brampton, Pierre-Yves just arrived, a sympathetic Belgian randonneur familkiar from in the Belgian circuit. In the next few days we would meet again a few times. Moffat I reached in the darkness, with thundering clouds in the background. Had to donn my rain jacket and my rainlegs a couple of times. Thus, I decided to complete the day here and cancel the plan to sleep in Edingburgh. The Santos bicycle from Marcel was also there, who slept there too. Meanwhile, I met Kris and Pierre-Yves again on the "dinner". They would also sleep here. Andy was on his way to the turning point and would sleep 80km further on the trail. He thus adhered to my initial plan. After a refreshing shower, I could sleep for 4 more hours, which made me feel very good.
Day 3, Moffat-Barnard Castle, 314km 14:55
From Moffat I went solo after a hearty breakfast at dusk, think about 5am.
It started immediately with a good climb. The roads were in fairly wet and thought to myself "happy I stopped here last night." At 10 kilometers from Edinbrourgh started to be very "black". I was therefore not five minutes when it began to rain for about 10 minutes. Everybody wanted to take pictures, though from the shelter. I offered one to him to take a photo on his bike, but he did not "pose" in the rain. However, this would have been a true LEL picture
At Edinburgh – the turning point - I could get omelette again and played a 4 in (
). Pierre-Yves apparently left Moffat for me because he was already here when I arrived. The refter was here very centrally located in the building and provided with lessons with the wisdom of the great earth, such as Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world." Just before I left, Kris Clerckx also arrived. It was also overwhelmed by the vibes that went here.
The next 2 stages, towards Innerleithen and Eskdalemuir were 43 and 49 km long respectively. I was already fifteen miles further when I realized I did not even pick up my bag in Edingbrough, not that it was so bad, but changing a pair of pants might not have been foolish. The first piece I did again solo, though suddenly accompanied by a Spanish couple climbing goats. Turned out that the hombre drove 7 PBPs and the signorita no less than 5! So it was in "good company". At Innerleithen we were awaited by a Scottish traditional dress, which in the meantime accompanied me to my Facebook profile picture.
I went in with a small group including Kris Clerckx. We had previously been some talk, but now we had more time. We also passed the Abbey Traquair and what a café, egg so after I pulled the brakes here close to follow the suggestion of Patrice Martin. He tipped me about it, as a substitute for my usual CB'tje ... (thanks). Due to the hilly course was our group again one and now I was on the mend, my turbo started to come up to speed after two days. Find yourself that such rides only start after 2 days, you come in a kind of tranche that is difficult to describe in the matter, and the legs that run because they have been in the meantime for over 30 hours.
Therefore, take a few minutes for the rest in Eskdalemuir with my Spanish train. Pierre-Yves was still there and we would leave here together. In vain I tried to buy a beer here. A full fridge was to excel, but with a molslot to. When I asked if I could buy one, they told me they did not have the key in their possession ...
The next stop was again in Brampton where we passed the day before, some posts were used double. Meanwhile Tuesday we were in the early evening and had planned in advance to then take stock and see what was happening within the time limits. The legs were good and moral, so I saw it all the way down to get inside within the 100u25. Plan was even to the 25 'extra we received because of diversions by roadworks not exploit. And those who know me know that if it's in my Kopke ...
Initial plan was to sleep a second time in Thirsk, but delays it was not feasible without a hole in the night to arrive there. Decided together with Pierre-Yves as the Dukes to sleep in a castle, viz. Barnard Castle. Obstacles were however still my Magnum shop in Alston, where autistic could not pass me without stopping. And again the Yad Moss (598m) long which we could climb the other side a little easier.
Almost on top we were pleasantly surprised by Drew with Coffee or Tea in their very practical mobilhome. I made him an offer to purchase on its infrastructure, but he understood my intention not good. He only had the price for which he bought the vichikel. Arrived at our Castle, I still felt pretty fresh, but it was already around midnight. In the next 34 hours I still had to overcome 500km to take my time limit. The adrenaline started to flow and took more time to socialize my way to relax.
In Barnard Castle, on the way to the toilet I passed the drop bags (here I did not lie) and was accosted by one Sue. She asked me how I went and immediately left. I told her I was going to sleep for a couple of hours later. She reminded me to the morning to ask her. She had a special therapy for me.
Meanwhile, I also decorated a mass takes place in a friendly Italian specifically volunteer from Verona was flown. Did that say goodbye! Eventually, I was led by another Brazilian "volunteer" to a dormitory, outside 500 meters further in a sports hall. A relaxing evening walk before going to sleep. Had meanwhile already at an hour or 2. Early wake me at 4:30, but the adrenaline I was already awake at 4:15.
Day 4-5, Bernard Castle-Loughton, 500km 25:07
"If you do not want to be believed, speak the truth"
When I left the dorm Sue sat there with a fellow volunteer, as if by chance. Was very impressed with this "coincedence" strange feeling. I told her that I woke up with the song of Johnny Cash, "A Boy Named Sue" and showed her the YouTube version of Wouter Deprez "Jaonge genomd An", a hilarious West Flemish version of my fellow shire. (
https://youtu.be/m1b-jr-ZJQo)
She asked me to keep my palms and placed in each hand a silver star with the words "today you are the star", then we said goodbye. Special lady!
At breakfast I found Pierre-Yves back to, I think, a half hour than I had slept. But I had gained a lot of energy, through the massage and meeting with Sue. Think that Pierre-Yves got to know me another way in those famous 2 days. At about 5 am I traveled along with Pierre-Yves Castle of the Castle on my way to the special mission ... Ready for a hot day and night for the last 7 stages.
Not even 10km further I suddenly felt a debris at the back. I reminded prosecute Pierre-Yves in his way. I would only do the job. When I was pumping, the couple, with the girl who could not laugh, passed our first Bernard Castle passage. Lost a small 10 "here, not bad but could do better but not many have such a delay. The rest of the trip to Thirsk went smoothly and I bumped in with Pierre-Yves.
Went a little home because I slept the first night here. Thus could again use my BagDrop and benefited them to rearrange somewhat my luggage (read: lighten) and again to attract a fresh dry pants. Could also order a "Pasta Nature" and kept the home front informed via social media.
Meanwhile, I had to receive Peptalk from Liesbeth via Messenger: "Singing songs!".
"Nothing or nobody stop me" (Bart Peeters)
I left again with Pierre-Yves and a few others.
The legs were great again to feel, to know that feeling of inexhaustible of earlier multi-day trips (PBP and especially my Belgian RMs as Herentals-Cosne-Herentals and Brussels Strassburg-Brussels).
At our home hangs an astros coop (dated December '96) that makes an analysis of the combination between my zodiac fish and my Chinese character pig, then stated that this combination provides: "This type of boar will not give easy win. You can be sure that he has an endurance endurance. The tough Metal Zwijn actively rises with all its enormous positive strength and has strength for ten. "
(Picture is still following ...)
Not that I was stronger, but the decay is usually less than the riders around me. Without accelerating I also rode solo away from this group with Pierre-Yves, looking for personal glory. The course also helped. There were wavy "wells" (Wouter De Ruyck, something for you) that I could keep on a good pace. The melody of "Nothing or nobody loves me" wandered through my brain.
Continues!
