Better make indoor parking compulsory next time.......
I was dozing when the news started going round that the bikes had gone. I rushed outside to check mine was still there, and my heart sank when it wasn't. Luckily Craig, my riding companion, had already brought it inside.
It's a timely reminder not to be complacent - there are scrotes about even on an apparently sleepy back lane at 11pm on a Saturday night. I shall spur myself into action and replace my broken cafe lock before my next audax.
As for the ride itself, I found it tough but rewarding - exactly what an audax should be. I was much fitter last time I did the SA in 2014. I also realised fairly early on that my legs hadn't yet fully recovered from last weekend's 375km. I was very slow on the climbs all day. And night.
Craig and I had set off a few minutes late so were behind the field from the start, but got picked up by a big group on the run in to Woodstock, until a Garmin glitch diverted me off down a side road while everyone else went straight on. But I got to the control at the same time as the group so just one of those Garmin quirks.
Enjoyed (and paid for) a hearty breakfast before pressing on, still making good progress to Tewkesbury, where we stopped at a nice Italian cafe for a Dino Zoff panini (disappointed there was no Bartali or Pantani option).
After that, I started to suffer as the roads became lumpier and the wind became less favourable. I still enjoyed the climb of Yat Rock - tough but satisfying - but the next section up to St Briavels felt like a real slog and Craig and the rest of the group we were with left me to plod along at my own pace.
After the excellent beans and chorizo and a brief power nap at Tutshill, we pressed on and picked up another pair of riders just after crossing the bridge, plus a chap in a Farnborough & Camberley jersey a bit further on. We worked well together although didn't get round to formal introductions. All I know is the female half of the pair was a fearsomely strong rider on the flat, although she struggled even more than me on the climbs and we lost her after the monument climb.
Stopped in Malmesbury for some desultory chips - best thing that can be said about them is they were hot.
After that, I started to struggle again. The section from Swindon to Lambourn felt like relentless climbing. Craig was going uphill better than me but not really enjoying it.
We eventually reached Lambourn at 10.30 for some very welcome veg chilli and banana custard. I tried to sleep for a bit but didn't manage more than a doze, and after the bike theft drama decided to push on - joined by the companion of the bikeless Penge rider whom Assassin had talked into carrying on without his mate - definitely the right decision.
We decided to stick to the lanes rather than take the A4 - partly because we were all following gps and didn't know the alt route. Conditions were made harder for me by my IQ-X playing up - for some reason, it wasn't nearly as bright as it should be (our new companion also had a working IQ-X so I know I wasn't imagining it).
We picked up a few others along the way so there were 8 of us by the time we reached the descent of Streatley Hill - one that I find terrifying in daylight, never mind at 3am with barely working lights.
By the time we reached Henley, I was feeling pretty dozy and Craig was really suffering, so we stopped at the services for coffee and microwave noodles - it felt good to get something warm inside us.
Still with plenty of time in hand, we decided to go for full value and have a nap before the final push to the finish. I must say, it was much nicer riding in daylight - and was turning into a lovely sunny morning, though still windy.
The final climb after Wooburn Common is a real sting in the tail, and the lanes leading into Chalfont are a bit rollercoastery, but as we rolled in to the arrivée just after 7am, it was very pleasing to have stuck to the 'proper' route for the full distance - although Craig might have preferred something flatter for his first 400 and was vowing never to do another (yeah, right, heard that one before).
Very much appreciated the cheery warmth and hospitality of Liam and MarcusJB at the finish at the tail end of what must have been a long night shift. Cheese toastie and cuppa hit the spot nicely too.
Stuck around for a nap before driving home - a journey punctuated by several further nap stops, and then vegged out in front of the TdY all afternoon.
Cracking ride. Huge thanks to all the controllers and cafe/social club owners who made it all possible. May well be back next year for a third go.