From Alfreton, 10th July, 2004.
As this was my first "200k" Audax, I decided on a reasonably flat one - this ride climbs and descends a total of about 3300ft in the 212 km.
I sent off the joining fee and received the route sheet a few days later from Tom, the organiser. I duly had a look at the route on the map and entered it into the route planning software in its 5 stages for later transfer to the GPS. It seemed a good route on small roads and "B" roads with only a few short sections on "A" roads. However, 212k is more than I have done since I was a fit student cycling around Switzerland 30 years ago so I was a little apprehensive. I decided to take it easy on the commutes for the week before the event and did so for the Tuesday and Wednesday commutes. As luck would have it, I had to do the school run both ways on Thursday (The day of severe storms, driving rain and fallen trees!) and I had to take Rosanne and Christopher to catch coaches to London on Friday - they were going to play in the London Festival Hall - and hence I had to drive to work on those days (First car commutes for 7 weeks!) My legs were thus nicely rested on Saturday morning although, having arisen at 4:30 on Friday morning and going to bed after midnight, I was not!
The weather forecast was for partly cloudy (more cloudy than partly!) with occasional showers. I was determined not to forget anything this time and packed up the bicycle into the car the night before after giving it a once over and checking the tools, spare tubes, repair kit and making sure the "waterproof" gloves, overshoes, leg warmers and waterproof were in the rack bag. I charged the batteries on the GPS and took along 2 spare pairs. I laid out the cycling shorts, base layer and short sleeve top and spare shorts ready for the morning and made sure I had money and my wallet in a waterproof plastic bag. 100g of maze porridge (enough for 2 big bowls) was made and left to cook in the bottom oven of the Aga overnight. One water bottle was put in the freezer and the other readied with the right amount of "Go". 2 further packets of the right amount of "GO" were created and put in the rack bag. The alarm was set for 06:10.
Why is it that when I set my alarm, I always wake up 20 minutes before it goes off? If I do not set it, I sleep like a log ((sigh)). Anyway, after a good breakfast, the rest of the kit was stowed in the car, I said my goodbyes to Jennifer and was off. Half way to Alfreton I remembered all the things I had forgotten - sun block, my supply of emergency energy (marshmallows) and change for the car park. Fortunately these were not needed; it was not sunny enough, I parked in the street at the car park entrance and there was enough food to buy on the way! The bicycle was re-assembled and checked. Knee warmers were donned and money, wallet, GPS, cycle computer, etc were all put in their place. Tom was dishing out the Audax brevet cards and ticking off the names of participants - there seemed to be a list of about 40 - good turnout. One woman rider and no recumbents.
The weather was as forecast - cloudy with a hint of possible sun and a threat of possible showers. The wind was about 10kph NNE. We milled about a bit until 8:00 at which point departure was announced and we were off. I decided I felt fit enough to try and keep up with the leading group of riders hoping to put in a similar average speed to the Clowne 118km I had done in May and so finish in a reasonable time. As it was this proved a mixed chalice... The first stage of the ride was from Alfreton to Roses Cafe, about 65km. This started with a sharp decent out of Alfreton on the A61 north bound and followed by an undulating mainly downhill course to the Lincolnshire levels and then Roses Cafe with a few little bumps on the way. In the group I was with I discovered Mike, the New Members Secretary. We chatted a bit about the rides he organises (the Dark Peak, Chumley 200, etc) and I promised I would probably be on the Chumley 200 on the 4th August. He is self employed and seems to do a lot of Audaxes - much more than I could ever persuade Jennifer to allow! He was riding an Orbit bicycle so I quizzed him about it considering I had recently ordered an Orbit Photon for Audax. He seemed pretty pleased with it and praised its comfort. Hopefully the Photon will be as good, if not better? I then fell in with a fellow called Rob who, it turned out, did planning and engineering for concrete frames for large projects and had just finished that job for the new hospital build in Birmingham which Jennifer is doing. We talked about his other projects and logistics - all interesting stuff A small group of three and I found ourselves at the front - the chap I was chatting to was doing his first Audax but was an amateur racer doing a fitness building ride. He had a nice lightweight fast machine. Pretty soon we arrived at Roses and I tucked into tea and beans on toast (£2.40). With the downhill and flats and wind off the beam, average speed for this leg was good - about 29.5 kph for the 62 km.
After having the Brevet card stamped, we set off again for Wragton, a further 48 or so km away. I was with the lead group again but after about 20km this split with half dropping off. A further 5 km on, I gave up and let the three race boys zoom off - I did not feel maintaining a heart rate of 150 and a speed of 35 kph+ this early in the Audax was advisable. This resulted in a rather lonely ride to Wragton. The highlight of this stretch was a "Beware of crossing ducks" sign. Sadly, either this sign had not been heeded or a duck had got careless buy not crossing at the sign.... Still it was a fast leg with the wind from behind and the average speed was maintained at 29.5 kph. 47 km for the leg. The control in Wragton was at a very nice little cafe called the Ivy Club Public House. They produce superb baguettes and sandwiches. Tuna baguette and a pint of orange and lemonade went down very smoothly. Most was consumed by the time the rest of the lead group turned up to order their lunches.
Water bottle refilled with added "Go" and we were ready for the off. My legs felt good and I left with the racers but gave up on them again after about 10km because my heart rate was again too high and my calves were starting to seize up. Again, it was a solo ride after that to the information control in Coleby where I stopped for a short time to let the rest of the lead group catch up - well, Mike and another fellow who turned out to be a self employed gardener and landscaper from Criche just north of Derby. This leg proved to be a bit harder - we were now going more into the wind and there was a steady slow uphill towards Newark. However, some of the clouds had cleared and we were blessed with some sun; enough to dispense with the knee warmers. One point of interest on this leg: I recognised the old School House in Potterhanworth! Many years ago - well, 18 atually, while I was working in Nottingham, I had been invited to dinner at that very place. I would never have found my way back there afterward, though - I will now. I wonder if the occupants are still the same?
Soon after the control, the skies darkened again precipitously and 10 minutes afterwards opened with a deluge to rival an oriental monsoon. Rivers of water filled the roads and poodles sprang up everywhere. I had donned my waterproof and overshoes just before so swam through it all without too much difficulty. The 3 of us continued at a steady pace and were eventually caught by the rest of the group: Louise, Rob and Stewart (from JE James cycles in Chesterfield) and couple of others. This was our peleton that took us through to Newark and the Gannet Cafe which provided very nice chiche, a muffin and orange juice. Unfortunately, I accidentally dropped my wallet at the counter. The staff found it and with a little detective work traced it to me so all ended well. I will definitely go there again! 53 km for the stage and due to the rain and stops, the overall average had dropped to 28 kph.
Card stamped and we were for the off again in our little group of 9 threading our way through the Newark Saturday late afternoon traffic. The route now became a little lumpier and with more little lumps as we got closer to Alfreton. Unfortunate, Stewart (Brevet card 13!) had 2 tumbles on the way. On the first he caught the back wheel of a rider in front of him and went over. I was next to him and ended up on the opposite verge, fortunately still upright. About 2km further, the rider in front of him hit a pothole causing him to slow very suddenly and down wen poor Stewart again! I was again next to him but fortunately again escaped the crash. No real damage was done apart from a pinch puncture to the front wheel that had hit the pothole which was fixed in record time. Into the wind and with the slightly lumpy terrain, our pace had slowed - just as well, the legs were starting to tire now after 110 miles (175km). As we came up to the Sherwood forest area, I looked back and noticed we had lost 4 riders and were now down to 5 in the group, Stewart, Louise, Mike, myself and another. We took a small detour in South Normanton under the M1 to avoid the roundabout over the M1. A few mile later Alfreton was in sight with a short gentle climb up to the finish past the station. Tom was doing the check in, dishing out tickets for a cup of tea and cake. 9H32 total time. Tired legs. 50 km for the stage was a little slower bringing the overall average down to just over 26 kph.
After 15 minutes cooling down in the tea room and consuming the tea and milk tart that I had chosen, I bade my farewells and cycled the 100 yards to the car to pack up and drive the 37km home.
Could I have continued? - perhaps, although it would have been slower going!. I guess it would have taken me about 2 further hours to cycle home... I think if I did a longer Audax, I would take it a little easier at the beginning!
Chumley 200, 4th August, here I come!
Bicycle:
Cannondale T800, 16.5kg all up
Schwalbe Marathon plus tyres
Rear carrier with rack bag
Tools: Alien II, puncture repair kit.
Spares: 2 tubes, chain, 2 AA batteries.
Trip:
Total distance: 212km.
Total time: 9h32 - 22.1 kph.
Time in the saddle: 8:04 - 26.4 kph.
Total Climbing: ~1000m very approximately.
Maximum speed: 59.4kph.
Maximum Heart rate: 156.
Average Heart rate over 9 hours: 118.
Access Count: