A few random memories, not necessarily a ride report, but more a set of headlines.
Firstly Sue and Keith were amazing.... Gotta say "Thanks a million!"
In fact all the controllers / helpers were superb.
Also thanks to my patient chauffeur, Bairdy, whose 'fault' it was that I had even heard of the ride in the first place, and who carted me from place to place in luxury!! He should have one of these
and apols to him for falling asleep on the way home, again....
The two 'girls' riding together were, I'm pretty sure, Mother n Daughter, and they showed excellent consistent pace...
Also congrats to those who completed this as their first 600 - Jon B was one - I chatted to another, name lost, but his wife / partner / other half was Louise, I think....
Also the guy from Willesden finishing his second 600 deserves a mention....
Day one was heaven in the sun and gentle breeze, over nice quiet roads, visiting interesting controls, guided by a perfect route sheet (tweaked to fit my 'holder' of course), and perfect gpx files. Originally they had no elevation data, but I like to view elevation profiles in order to pace my climbing, and plan my descending, so I uploaded each one to bikeroutetoaster, ticking the box to recalculate elevation data, and redownloaded the results. If I had had time I would have put links here, but time ran out...
My plan was to get to Upton Magna and then grab some kip, since I have found that even though I can ride straight through 600s, my recovery takes a lot less time (days less) if I get my head down for an hour or three....
The weather scuppered that though, and at 1 AM it was rain free and wind negligible at UM, so I thought I'd carry on to BelB.. Finding as I neared the place that the heavens really opened, and I doubt that any clothing could have kept me dry. As I had a complete set of identical clothing in my drop bag (great timing) I changed and recreamed, leaving at dawn....
Then it really rained - biblical stuff - never ridden in anything that bad.. However I guess it really made my day....... You know when it's that bad, it perversely becomes pretty good, a bit like a roller coaster which you know will be scary, and maybe you'll lose your lunch, but you do it anyway.....
Got to see Jim at the Cafe again, and he had his food and drink station ready to rock (car hatchback with burner and saucepan of boiling water, and selection of hand food), however it was still biblical and the cafe staff took pity and invited us inside, and despite not really having finished done their pre-opening preparation, they made us coffees and teas, and let us scatter dripping clothing everywhere..... Jim was happier inside in the dry, I'm sure!! He also gave us great bread pudding, wrapped for the pocket!!
I ended up riding with Brian A and Robyn T, with interesting cameos from Cornwall.....
However my rear tyre suddenly went swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh after an innocuous puddle that must have had a two inch shard of surgical steel in it, which left me with a two inch cut straight along the middle. Luckily Robyn heard it and stopped. Hero!! I had a tyre bandage which we got in just right, and although the first inner tube got destroyed by the tyre levers, I showed him how to manipulate the tyre into the bed of the rim rather than the outer edge, allowing him with his extra strength to get tyre on by hand strength alone.... It was a pretty lumpy repair though, but it worked....
I had a nice stay at 'Worths Texaco petrol station and home for the frozen' Garage, where I warmed up with several coffees and at least two ginsters microwaved to perfection, but I think I may have got my hour of sleep without meaning to, since the time mysteriously vanished, but at least I wasn't riding at the time....
The ride ends with a whole series of steep climbs, and I'm wondering if AAA would apply??
Nice to see Teethgrinder at the arrivee, helping out as is his wont - also enjoyed chatting to all n sundry
This is a well resurrected ride, which you MUST try some time