Audax rides

A quickie report on my first 400 this weekend: Asparagus & Strawberries. My first 'Audax Moment' happened when I was on the train to Manningtree. I thought I'd load up my Garmin with the track in readiness as the train was getting in 5 minutes before the start. I searched through my list of tracks and it wasn't there. GPS fail i.e. I had failed to put it on the device. Big Doh. DNS? Nope. Everything else was fine.

@jsabine got on the train at Colchester and suggested I build a route sheet holder and / or follow the crowd for a bit.

I rode with someone for the first 50k to Ixworth the first control. There I fashioned a route sheet holder with a muesli bar box, zip ties and elastic bands. Good thing I had it with me 'just in case'. The route sheet had no distances on it only turn points and controls of course. I had to let go of knowing the time, how far to the next control or even the next turn. Kind of felt like riding with someone than looking at the GPS for guidance.

Second control at Halesworth (100k) where my elastic band broke. I bought some from the Spar but they were totally low quality. There was a DIY place across the road that had better ones.

Third control was at Acle (150k)where I had an ice cream and chatted to some veteran riders. The more I ride the more respect I have for the experienced Audax riders. Such a laid back and unassuming crowd and yet you know what they've been through and what they're capable of.

Fourth control was Wells (next to sea, 218k) where the chippy would be closing at 21:00. If I pushed it I would make it. I was determined to have those chips. Headwinds all the way but thoughts of my order got me there in time. Got there about 20:30 and there was a big queue. Watching the sun setting, eating my sausage & chips and seeing other riders milling around was quite magical.

Now it was time to do it all again through the night. The next section was 79k. Flat main roads. Not too much traffic. Gentle breeze and well rested. But as it got darker how was I going to read the route sheet? I read a few lines whenever I passed under a street light or a car passed.

At 297km I rolled into the new 24-hour McDonalds at Barton Mills at around 01:30. Many riders snoozing and packed with people. Time for a Big Mac. Not fast food in the least. Chatted, rested, ate but didn't manage to sleep.

The next 47km to Saffron Walden (344k) was a real slog. Felt like I was pressing the pedals but they weren't turning. Got the 'dozies' real bad. Luckily I didn't fall off. Saw riders in bus shelters wrapped in space blankets. They looked like sculptures in a theme park. It was already light at 04:30. Wasn't a long night at all. But a very slow section for me and took more than 3 hours. Stopped a lot under street lights to read the route sheet.

Muesli bars, an ATM receipt and off on the final leg. It had been fairly flat up till this point. Now the climbs began. Nothing major like Toys Hill but riding fixed with a fairly heavy pannier being sleep deprived and having already ridden over 300km even small climbs seemed daunting. The route sheet stated L@T then climb Cooks Hill etc. Just about managed on 71 gear even though I told myself that I would walk if necessary.

Noticed the rear tyre was a bit flat but it was a slow puncture. Couldn't be bothered to change it and just a pump up got me through from Finchingfield (Dunwich Dynamo) to the end. 24h 31mins. Slower than I had expected but happy that I didn't pack.

A few handshakes at Manningtree station and soon I was on the train back to London. Dozed all the way there. Heavy legs on the ride home.

What I've learned is that it's not about fitness. It's about strength of mind, strategy, focus, concentration and generally keeping it together when you're struggling. It's not just a case of an extra 100k on top of a 300, this really was quite a different experience.

OK, wasn't quite a quickie. Next ride Fairies flattest 300 in 2 weeks time.