This was my "big trip" for 2018. Almost entirely enjoyable - generally very
Main recollections:
- heat. Frequent roadsides displays over 35'c
- pretty (and varied) flat run out to 300k
- immaculate road surfaces
- lovely people at the controls (and some riders
)
- bonkers hilly middle bit - like a chevron-free bigger mid-Wales.
- getting bored of petrol stations (although a couple were amaaaaazing)
- leapfroging always cheery, sometimes f*cked-looking Thai riders
- ... who mostly spoke no English, unlike their WAGs. Odd that.
- several 4am bedtimes
- an education on the old East Germany (and how to tell when you're riding through it)
- *proper* echelon riding (an Audax first) in a cross-tailwind on the Day 5 flatlands
- wasps. and flies. And flies keeping me awake.
- controls with character (a swimming baths?? Really?)
- astonishing deserts. and pretty decent savoury stuff just about everywhere.
- snorers.
- ... earplugs
- ... ... sleeping tablets
- proper swoopy descents
- realising we had to ride back up one. Oops.
- foxes, wandering the tarmac
- the electric Thai massager, seemingly at every control, running 24x7
- garden hose shower in the sun.
- controls with shooting galleries
- wasp stings (luckily mine didn't flair up - unlike LWAB's face
)
- disappointing lack of beer+wurst at manned controls
- plain-looking but *perfect* randonneur food at every manned control
- Baron von Brymbo's utter disgust at my pigeon German.
- a gorgeous route, courteous drivers, sensible cycle-paths in places.
- a pretty bloody stylish event jersey
- ... and other actually rather nice free tat.
Pictures later.
