Thank you Sue and Keith for such great support on the ride and for arranging such fine weather, although a little less wind next time, please
And thank you to all your helpers too!
(delicious soup at the end, and I ate far too much cake)
This was my first calendar event (ever) and only my second 200, which I ECE'd with Fidgetbuzz. An easy ride to the start with FB with a fair tail wind was very pleasant. I found the head wind on the outward leg of the event somewhat heavy going with 50k already in the legs and I couldn't find my mojo on the run back, although the times tell a different story because I latched onto a reasonably quick threesome for a chat and the miles rolled by (if only I could maintain those speeds solo). Leaving Hellesdon with 50 still to go felt like a drag, but I stopped at an LBS in Wyndonham to restore some lubrication to my chain and the renewed slick and quiet running picked me up - plus by then the effect of the soup was beginning to kick in.
Contrary to what FB says, I was only a few minutes ahead of him at the controls (I reckon I was moving for 10:08 to FB's 10:15), me sweating like so many in Norfolk (pigs that is), FB looking like he'd just set off; I think he's fitter than he lets on. FB caught me up when I stopped for a banana and we rode together for a while, but he kept urging me to ride off the front, which in the end I did. With a dropped chain and a missed turn, I arrived back to base only a few minutes ahead, so I think there's life in FB's legs yet!
As for the main event, it was my first and I fear I may have been spoiled for all future events: I gather that S&K have something of a sparkling reputation for putting on audax events (I didn't know this when I registered) and I shouldn't expect such good support at all events! I have registered for Nips3, just waiting for a pink slip from SWMBO, and looking forward to it.
That's 2x200s done of my first audax season, first RRTY. Thanks to FB for the ECE, that's December done (with the option of extra rides over Christmas, weather/family permitting). See you in January (hopefully).