Essex 3 - trikes 0.
So I ended up disappointed and frustrated, with a broken trike
I'd changed to the 100km to join some Tricycle Association members on that event. Not sure I'm up to taking a trike round 200km.
The three of us, and one accompanying bike, set off at the back of the field. We weren't in a hurry, but as things broke up over time I found myself riding on ahead a little, chasing a group on bikes at the back of the field. Having taken it easy, I wasn't really finding the wind a problem.
It all went rather wrong in Upwick Green, after the turn off the road through Gravesend. I was watching the bikes in front, when I should have watched the road, and put my drive wheel down a pot-cavern
That was it. The drive wheel no longer turned freely, and I clearly had a problem. Turns out I'd cracked one of the frame tubes, the axle housing. Here's the rear of the trike, taken a couple of years ago, and now, from the other side (you can just see the maker's name label from the first shot on the other side of the tube in the second):
That's the edge of the damage; from underneath, it looks like this:
I didn't dare ride on, as the tube might crack more, the axle was plainly out of line, and the drum brake was rubbing on the frame, so I started walking. I have to admit to underestimating the distance, but I knew I'd get there before the 200km event finished
Various other riders asked if I was OK, but couldn't do much to help of course, so set off with messages for the HQ that I was OK and walking in. However, my two fellow-trikies turned up by the time I'd made Farnham, after two miles of walking. One asked a resident about taxis, who came up trumps with the loan of a bike - old but very serviceable - so the three of us set off again.
We met the organiser in Bentfield Green. He had very generously come out by car to rescue me, leaving the event in the hands of his team. Once we had ridden back to the HQ, however, he did mutter something about obscure Audax rules forbidding starting an event on three wheels and finishing on two
We saw others setting out again as we arrived, and I did have a mad moment considering doing the second loop on my borrowed steed, but I was well behind time. I settled for lunch and going back by car to retrieve the remains of my trike. I think fboab may have taken a picture as we were loosening the wheels of the borrowed bike to get it into my car?
With the weather improving (a bit), and a ride I was enjoying, I don't know whether to be more fed up about the trike or the missed loop. Still, I've sent an enquiry off to Trykit, and no doubt all will be put right in time.
Hopefully the trike and tandem trike on the 200km event fared better than we did, with three DNFs.
Thanks to all who offered and furnished help so generously