Rabbit, you're too fast
. Did you put 'guards on to weigh your bike down?
I packed a bread bag full of old energy bars, gels, drink sachets, two Cadbury's Boost bars, a peanut butter sarnie, two bananas, and a bag with spare gloves, waterproof overtrousers, overshoes, spare socks and a spare base layer, along with the tools and inners. Rackbag weighed a ton (not quite!)
Set off at 1:30am, stopping at 3 when the rain started, to get 'proofed up. Had a banana and coffee stop at the Chipping Norton garage. Arrived at 7, in time for the famous Wetherspoon's veggie breakfast, coughing away (did a DIY 200 on Wednesday, last chance for December RRtY, in the cold and frost).
Set off on my own at the back, not really wanting to pass on any germs. Had a coffee and mince pie at the first stop (couldn't stomach another breakfast). Should have tried to eat more. Cycled with a couple of blokes, on and off, for a while, but slow up the hills (TG knows), so stopped atop one to sit on a bench, eating a now mashed banana, and 1/4 sarnie. Shortly after (85km), BANG, rear tyre burst near the rim, After last year's event, I had started carrying a spare tyre, but not today (why, oh why?). Swapped it to the front, asking passers by if they had a spare tyre. First slither of tyre I carry didn't work, as the inner still buldging out, so in went the second. 'Phoned Mark and my wife for shops info. Set off, and the tyre was okay at low pressure, with the rhythmic thud thud. Decided not to go off course to Banbury bike shop as it would put me out of time at the services (got a receipt with a few minutes to spare). Had a coffee there outside, Billy no mates, eating my last Boost bar. Knew Edgehill was coming (hard ride/walk up it last year with split tyre), so stopped about 15 mins before it for an out of date gel. Rode up the hill all the way, not getting out of the saddle for fear of putting too much pressure on the split. Arrived at Chipping Norton café at 5:30, and again, just had a coffee, as they were meant to be shutting (about 30 mins in hand on control time). There I met Saracen Sean (saw you earlier in the day), who very kindly (Many thanks!), 'phoned his wife to bring a spare tyre to the RHP, to ensure I get home. Cycling Daddy arrived. The three of us set off separately, passing each other along the final stretch. Stopped outside the pub on the climb into Stow (where I abandoned with crank trouble last year) for my last Boost bar, a gel, and to put SIS powder in my water. I hated the white fog before Winchcombe, as I couldn't see well enough ahead, and didn't want to brake for too long on the descents (the split being right by the rim). Arrived back at 9:10, looked around the pub, but couldn't see Mark (forgot his info, and I think the smokers outside shielded his AUK sign when I arrived. Found him, had a chat, recharged computer and front light a bit, and collected tyre from Sean (thanks again).
Left at 10, stopping to put M+ tyre on outside Tewkesbury (took longer than a Conti). Hit white fog somewhere, and it was cold. My three layer weatherproof gloves were wet, and my spare pair weren't up to sub-zero (was it?) temps. Frost everywhere. Stopped in four bus shelters to try to get warm/have a nap. Put spare base layer on (still cold). Ice forming on lights, computers, phone case and maptrap. Stopped at the Chipping Norton garage for a coffee, but the bloke (different bloke to earlier) ignored me and hid in the back (he saw me standing outside when he was sweeping up). Had swig of the energy drink, but it disagreed with me, and I had to keep stopping. Hit ice patches in places, and there was a lot approaching Milton Keynes. Arrived home about 5:10 (100 minutes longer than the outward journey) shivering.
I set out with the intention of making amends for my only (so far) DNF, which I have done, even though it took too long.
Weighed myself when I got up, and the upshot of not eating enough is that I have lost 7 lbs in three days, some of that, understandably, being muscle mass (converted to carbs for the ride?).
Thanks for the event and chat Mark, and the tyre, Sean!
