Audax rides

400k - The Ouchening.

Tee off from Poynton car park on Saturday at 13.30. As mentioned upthread, the weather was lovely. We rolled through the last lumps on the edge of the Peak District and across the Cheshire Plains into a headwind. Luckily the second group that formed held together well into the first control some 70k at Market Drayton. The info control earlier on had turned out to be a bust because the council had replaced the signs since last year and they no longer showed the distance to Alderly Edge.

As the organiser got ready to leave, she mentioned that the next bit was tricky so I sprang into action and followed her out of town. This proved to be a rather wise move as the landmark restaurant had changed hands, colour and name and the road looked little more than a dead end back alley from first glance. The Shropshire Plains were far better than the Cheshire ones as the council see fit to resurface their roads from time to time. Alas they soon gave way to the allegedly easy way over the Long Mynd. In fact this is a soul destroying drag with unlimited false summits. None of the sections are enough to be considered difficult in themselves but as time wears on, you wear out. Luckily my water did last until the top and the descent to the next control didn't take long. People are drinking beer at the pub control but, tempted as I may be, I stick to coke, fearing my inability to stay awake.

Coming out of the control solo, I see a group ahead of me moving not that much faster so I decide to jump on the back. It's a group from the respectable VC167 club, propery hardy northerners to a man. I feel a bit cheeky latching on as the effort to get up leaves me clinging on the back doing no work. Finally some recovery and good descent means I can spring to the front of the three men who range from 10 years older to nearly twice my age. The long running descent is great after the hard climb and the scenery of mid Wales is lovely. Alas, Newtown is a bit of dump as far as the bit we rode through is concerned.

Two coffees and a snack later and we get moving again. The temperature is dropping fast but at least, after 170k, we finally have a tailwind. The countryside across the border is rolling but with a clear sky and a good moon, the descents are clearly visible in the dying sun and the climbs infrequent enough that the group stays together easily. One of the guys thinks its too easy without lashing rain and howling gales. I guess that's just how they roll Cumbrian style.

The Ford control is great. If you ever head to Wales out of Shrewsbury and feel a bit peckish any time of day or night, head for this. It's on the north side and really welcoming. Good food and a decent mug of tea (no gaggia here I'm afraid). Full english at midnight, oh yes. I can't recall much after that. I was geting tired and others more familiar with the area are navigating. I hand on until the A5 to Cannock before dropping off. It's a long straight road with no surprises.

There was some concern about Hollies as the numbers listed for them didn't work when the organiser wanted to call through expected numbers. It was still there thankfully, with a warm interior and apple crumble with custard. I nap for ten minutes before heading off alone. I thought another rider was leaving at the same time but he's nowhere to be seen. I've now overhydrated and frequent nature stops and some dig out the map as the routesheet is useless navigating means he catches me up some 25k later. We've both fallen apart in the cold morning fog and degenerate to trundling along, hoping for a Little Chef and more coffee at Market Drayton. No luck and I fall off the back again into Whitchurch.

We bask in the sun in Whitchurch outside the service station control. A dodgy sandwich, more Powerade and more coffee soak in as I wonder just how long I can justify staying here. The locals stare but seem used to bunches of exhausted people collapsed by the petrol pumps. I feel like a circus freak, you know that they're descent, ordinary people but you just can't stop looking at them.

It's away to the descent to Nantwich and then back on the Cheshire Plains and Cheshire lanes. I like the former and hate the latter but as least they won't lull me to sleep anytime soon. The other guy catches me up again as I stop for a faff with the bike. Nothing is wrong but you have to be sure. We ride together to the edge of Manchester and he stops having finally decided it's too hot for all the layers. I don't want to get out of the saddle so press on. The traffic is busy on the last stretch but at least I'm familiar with the roads. I even throw in a trackstand at some lights close to the finish, just because. My moment of glory, no applause.

When my gf picks me up, I have that too tired to sleep feeling, right until I wake up at her parents house.