Audax rides

Rode the Newport 200 yesterday, my first 200 and (for 9/10ths of the way) my first solo audax.

Felt horrific when I got up and ended up leaving the flat a bit late - early push into the wind with heavy legs from the day before, an empty stomach and with caffeine levels at 0... The run out (95km or so) was a push into the wind, the two guys I was riding with shot off after 20km as they wanted to 'push on and get breakfast' while I opted to save myself for the run back. After they left I took a little detour at Goostrey to visit on of my favourite village stores and stock up from their selection of cakes and donuts. Ate half a sandwich and half a brownie to try and bump up the energy levels but still felt pretty rough. With plenty of riders passing me it was good to catch up with an older gentleman a few km before the first control and had a brief chat with him. I ended up passing him 4-5 times through the day but never saw him go past me...!

Stopped again before the 2nd control to get water and Ribena, seemed to do the trick and everything started to feel better, except my legs. I was getting bored of the wind by that point. As I got into Shropshire, the gusts picked up and had me crawling along in a low gear. Arrived in Newport with an hour or so to spare, the control was a large Waitrose and despite beginning to feel quite hungry and low on liquids I decided to push on a few km and find a quieter cafe to stop at. This ended up being 45km and over the only "hill" of the day. Thankfully the wind was now more-or-less behind me and my pace picked up although there were some impressive sidewinds to contend with at times...

As I approachedAudlem I remembered hearing something about a cafe popular with audaxers and local club riders. As I rolled past the first place that looked like it would sell coffee and cake, I spotted a Longstaff Trike and Langster, both kitted out up with dynamo hubs, Carradice and mudflaps parked next to the entrance. Had a good chat with the riders, also on the 200, as they were finishing their food and was warned of the portion size. Ordered double cheese on toast and my first coffee of the day. As the toast arrived I realised why they had warned me... each piece was the size of a lengthy hardback, stacked with a good half inch of chees melted on top!

After demolishing the food, coffee and receiving a text to suggest I wasn't far behind the guys I'd originally set off with. The wind now fully behind my average speed picked up and I started catching up with other riders, about 10km from the final info control another text came through to say they were taking a pub/puncture stop not far ahead. I decided to give it the beans and try and catch them just after the control. Arriving at the Tesco in Middlewich I had caught up with the Trike/Langster guys, had a quick chat and rolled out with them, trying to spot the pub. Despite passing several drinking establishments there was no sign of any cyclists and before I knew it we'd left town. Figuring they'd drank up and left, I decided to push on with the group as it was getting dark. The last 30km was mainly unlit country lanes but I felt I was making good time. Following people who knew the route was a lot easier than checking the Garmin/routesheet.

Arriving back in Cheadle, I handed my card in and grabbed some homemade soup, a cheese roll and rice pudding. There were a good number of riders there but no sign of the two I set off with, 45 minutes later they finally appeared! After a chat with them I decided to skip the pub and head home.

All in all a good day out. Things to remember next time - get more sleep the night before, take a waterproof that packs down smaller and come up with some better sandwich fillings.