First 400 for me as well, all week I was thinking " get to Wells before the chip shop closes ", as there may be little chance of food and drink after that. There were many objectives for the day, complete 400k in 24 hours as LEL preparation, actually managed 404 at 24 hours so on track. Secondly, complete the next stage of the Essex SR, thirdly, accumulate more points towards 100 target. Now got 31 and on target for 4 x SR and RRTY. Even if things go pearshaped I just need Hereward the Wake, UK National, LEL and Flatlands to have a good season, everything else is a bonus.
More importantly, after one or two setbacks in March, enjoy every ride, meet new friends, especially having joined the forum recently, and improve on every aspect of long distance cycling, having learned from many mistakes. Stayed in the Travelodge nearby overnight, and met up with some familiar faces at Manningtree station, fully rested and ready to go. Being a notorious slow starter, everyone flew past early on, and as happens on every ride before the first control the little voices came into my head asking if I really fancied riding all that way. First control out of the way, time in hand and a tailwind, happy days, next stop the cafe at Halesworth for tea and cake, or so I thought. Had planned for something hot at 100k, 218k and 297k. Got there and it was fulll of cyclists waiting to be served, thought better of it and bought a BLT sandwich and Banana milkshake at the supermarket instead.
On to Reedham Ferry, caught up with a big group and the police 4x4, and so to Acle to pick up more supplies. Then the rains came, first thought was no finish, no Essex SR medal, so no point complaining, get on with it. Tesco at Aylesham was next stop, looking for a cheap drinks bottle, having forgotten mine. No joy so just put Powerade in the cages upside down. Passed Blickling Hall, very impressive, I like period houses, and Suffolk and Norfolk are blessed with many fine examples. On to Wells, bottle of coke, tea and fish and chips to prepare for the night section, then out again before dark, with 15 hours to complete the return.
Kept meeting up with Wilkyboy and riding partner doing yoga at the side of the road, plus I-Cycle. Passed through Fakenham without comment from the drunks, then an attractive lady in pink walking her dog in Swaffham around midnight called out greetings, I thought I might be invited round for something warm but I had to banish those thoughts. Barton arrived, only to be thwarted by elf and safety, so a quick Snickers bar and also applied some Sudocrem to the undercarriage, hoping not to be captured on CCTV.
Tempted by the BP garage in Newmarket, but settled briefly in a bus stop at the other end of town. It was more of a perch than a seat so pushed on , knowing that there was a bus stop in Balsham. Guess what, it was fully occupied, so rode on until dawn when my lights ran out before Saffron, but I could see where I was going. A brief nap on the Town Hall steps, accompanied by I-Cycle in the other doorway, and saw the Tomsk crew arrive. I knew the last section was lumpy, and judging by the total elevation figures there was a lot to come. I thought I would do it bit by bit, taking a rest as necessary, but in the end did not stop, passing the riders at Sible Hedingham cafe before being passed by the tandem for at least the fifth time that day.
Finished at the Lawford garage for a caramel flapjack reward, then dropped down to the station cafe to meet a few more who were having breakfast. Suitably refreshed, drove to Chelmsford to see my parents, had to refuse the offer of lunch as I could not face any more food for a while. That soon passed and had a Macdonalds on the way home.
Pleased to have stuck to the game plan and finished with plenty of time to spare, just over 3 hours off the bike for refuelling and hedge stops, now ready to take on a programme of 3 x 400 and 2 x 600 by the end of June. Next week the carbon comes out for some speed training, doing Tom's 200 perm Boudiccas Revenge on Saturday then a Wiggle 150K sportive round Essex on Sunday.
Thanks to Wilkyboy for your comments about my riding endurance, that is my German efficiency, use time off the bike well and maximise the time on it, and no heroics. That way you can trundle along for days, which of course is the objective for LEL.
