Talk about a game of two halves....
I hated the fog / low lying cloud / sea mist in 1st half of the ride. I seemed to spend mile after mile peering at a blurry world through my glasses (THAT wasn't in Specializeds' description). I'm sure the countryside was beautiful but since I could only see the first 20m in any direction it's hard to be sure.
The 1st stretch along the coast road, even in the sea mist, was glorious though - flat fast and very scenic - especially the long section by the saltmarshes. As we approached West Runton the sun appeared and the "climb" up to Fellbrigg was as much fun as I'd expected. The experience for me was heightened by being cut up by a 4x4 that immediately forced me to come to complete stop on the steepest bit, on a wet road. Oh joy..
Felbrigg always amazes me at how it only takes 15 people to arrive at the same time to create queues in cafe and the toilets..I envied those better organised riders who'd managed to get loved ones to meet them in the car park with hot drinks and food (and did I see a portaloo?). Beats me why they bother having any Coach Parking. And then..the bit I was looking forward too - Felbrigg to Waxham.
What a joy! The sun was shining and every group seemed to be flying, the tailwind giving that extra push. The sun even glinted off the gas terminal at Bacton where the temperature was positively tropical for a change. I couldn't believe how quickly we arrived at Waxham where we paused briefly to scoff a cereal bar. And so to Martham where, shortly after, we turned right - back into the wind.
At this point it dawned on me that actually my preparation for this ride was still at least, oh, a month short. We just missed the change of lights at Potter Heigham Bridge and had stand for what felt like hours waiting and being able to smell the chip shop 10 yards back down the road. I thought about the last cereal bar in my jersey pocket and looked longing at the chip shop....well......chips
are carbohydrate aren't they?
A mile or so down the road I realised I was running on will power more than muscle power and sent my brother ahead to see if he could make a decent time and slogged the remaining 15 miles out in the company of other a few others who were also looking forward to the finish.
With the new route I missed the descent down Mousehold Heath at the end of the ride but equally, I was lucky approaching the final roundabout and felt like I'd been catapulted into the Cathederal Grounds finishing in 5hrs 56min ride time (give or take.)
Lowlights for me - Damp start
Highlights? - Lots - the long blast along the coast with a tailwind will stay in the memory a long time. The enthusiasm of the staff / volunteers at Hindringham School and I also thought the signage was the good this time.
This was the 5th time I'd cycled this and I know I shouldn't really be proud of this but........our group was big enough and fast enough dropping in towards one the villages on the coast that we set the 20mph speed sign off.
