This was my sixth consecutive KVR200, and a nice opener to the season it was. The weather was, err, changeable, and my hands and feet were cold for the entire ride, but not to the point of debilitation. Fortunately the wind was a not very strong northerly, so you didn't get the against you all the way out or back of a westerly or easterly. The ride to Grazeley from home in Pangbourne had shown that the chance of ice was very low.
Met up with Andy Watt at the depart, arrivee, and Pickleberry. I really love how in audax you meet old acquaintances and catch up with what they been doing. We'd met each other a lot last year, having coincidentally chosen the same set of PBP qualifiers. On Saturday he was back on his fixed, and taking a couple of South Oxon clubmates with him, so hopefully we'll see more of them in future.
The organisation was excellent as ever, and the Pickleberry's service and reduced menu both good. I no longer stop at the Tutti Pole on this ride these days because I don't need the rest. Indeed, during the ride I was ruminating on how far I'd come since riding this as my first audax in 2011. Back then I rested at all the controls and didn't cycle into work on the following Monday because I was so tired and my legs sore. It still makes an excellent first 200 and a good opener to the calendar year for those of us who don't ride during Winter.
Thanks to Mick and his helpers for the tlc.
