I am disgusted with myself. Another DNF and now my double RRTY is in tatters, 10months in.
Packed at Membury at 2206.
Was descending into Chepstow at about 1 o'clock, then it kinda went wrong. Gingerly crossed the Severn, at times riding with a 45' lean, controlling at the services at 1415.
Left at 1500 and from here it just got hard. Strong strong headwind, a couple of mechanicals (snow blocking mudguards and punctures) meant not controlling at Malmesbury untill 1800.
Left shortly after needing to maintain an average of 20kmh, which would allow us more than enough stoptime, and from here it just got stupidly hard. Stronger stronger headwind, blizzard conditions, a tumble from the chap I was riding with, a fair bit of walking from lack of traction downhill and up.
I had long decided that the ECE back home would be suicidal, and when it became apparent that I may not reach arrivee untill near 0200, I made the call to my wife and she picked me up. Last train from Oxford was a 2301 and I would long miss that.
Got to Membury and gorged on crisps, oreos and a big bar of bourneville.
The route is beautiful. Not the most physically taxing, but the conditions were brutal. Any rider that controlled at Membury anytime close to me gets a big chapeu if they finished - simply because they would have had the worst weather ever. Physically, I feel very fresh this morning, but I definitely made the right decision. Just a bit gutted - I wanted so badly to finish and be able to spin my yarns about the time I rode to Wales and back in a blizzard. Not badly enough though I guess.
Midsummer Dean would be gorgeous (thinly veiled hint).
I do have a couple of Perm cards to ride, so will definitely be revisiting this route in the near future.
Oh, and the colour of the bench would most definitely have been white, of that I am certain.
