Audax rides

Well, that didn't exactly go to plan. DNFd the calendar event so the ECE was a bust too. Not sure if it was a few sleepless nights, too much sugary food early on, not enough water or something else. Legs were just empty from the moment we hit the first hill. There was a lot of "this can't be the lowest gear" and after a while one of my knees started to go. Still ended up riding a lot of the route for a sensible bail out, just skipped the absolute bastard climb out of Cromford.

Things that were good/mildly amusing:

• Didn't fall in the canal at 6am when a large owl flew out of a tree.
  
• Halifax Bob, your classic hard audaxer, knackered his chain (having already snapping his rear mech) and couldn't do a full rotation of the cassette without jamming everything just outside Wheelock. After sourcing a new chain he went on to finish and likely rode another 70km home on his bodged singlespeed, which he overtook me on at least twice (pictured).
  
• Catering was superb. Kitchen was serving proper oatcakes in the morning, tea, toast, homemade brownies, vegan options all round too. Similar set up at controls, with sandwiches being made up. Top work from the organiser and volunteers!
  
• Bonus NoGrav while bailing out.
  
• Almost car-free descent from the Cat & Fiddle.
  
• Coop in Bunbury had mince pies in their bakery bit. Looked to be vegan. Couldn't quite bring myself to buy them, mainly due to lack of carrying facilities for the stupid plastic box. Greggs 6packs are much more frame-bag friendly.
  
• Still ended up riding 200km!
  
  

Things that didn't go so well:

• Eating and/or drinking the right things.
  
• Bored scumbag driver in a 4x4 trying to run oncoming cyclists off the road.
  
• Not having space to carry mince pies.
  
  

Things to do before next time:

• Put more kms in to see if flat pedals and cambium are compatible with legs and arse before trying to do more hilly 200s.
  
• Construct mince pie carrying apparatus before winter rides.
  
• Fit a double. 1x is dead.