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@bq
That coach pic says it all :-)
Thanks VB for laying that on - it made all the difference.
My first Dunwich. I hurt now. I got to the beach around 8am which was way faster than I had expected, so I'm pleased about that. So glad I did it geared. Thanks to Hillbilly for building the wheel, the Nexus 7 speed hub performed brilliantly, far better than a derailleur. I got used to the coaster brake too and it really is great. Tempted by the new 11 speed now.
I managed not to get lost, except I did not notice the feed station at all, having been looking forward to reaching it for a good hour. Where the fuck were the signs? I realised 5 miles later, riding alone in the dark and thoroughly dejected. Huge thanks therefore to TSK who's magical van full of bottles of water (and more importantly my beans and sausages in a thermos) was a godsend. As were his words of advice and enouragement. From Beacon Hill services and heading to Framlingham I was in familiar territory as I spent a large part of my youth there and it mostly followed my old school bus route. This gave me renewed strength and motivation, so off I went. I was just thinking how I might refill my water bottle when I reached the house where they too had been up all night making bacon rolls and tea. You lovely lovely people! Tea was unexpected and delightful manna from heaven at 5am.
I'm not sure I'd do it again. The bicycle is not a sensible mode of transport for going 112 miles. I'm still feeling the aches more than the sense of achievement. But I'm glad I did it.
Niall