We both re-booked this year and unlike 2012, I put in quite a bit of mileage over the last couple of months.
We met up in Cirencester on the Friday night and stayed at the Travelodge which was 1.5 miles away from the start in the Services. We took our bikes in the room and got them ready for the following day, putting lights, garmins, pumps and saddlebags in place.
We flipped a coin to see who got the bed and who had the mattress on the floor - and I won the bed. The alarm clock was set for 4.40am so we put the lights out just after 10 and surprisingly went off quickly and had a good sleep (although not enough!)
We tucked into our muesli and got our gear on. It was very cold out with frost on the ground. This made clothes choice quite hard because the forecast was for a warm sunny day. I had bibshorts, base layer, softshell jacket then a lightweight gilet and lightweight rain jacket. I also had fingerless gloves.
We rolled down the road and found the hall easily enough. HQ was at the Watermoor church hall, and as we approached we saw loads of bikes outside. It is always interesting to look at the array of bikes and there were a couple of Bromptons (or similar small wheelers) and a tandem. I seemed to be almost the only rider with shorts but that was okay because I am well 'ard.
Just before 6am everyone made their way outside and then the 80 riders set off.
We started off near the front and recognised the early roads. After a couple of miles, we hit a series of steep hills one after the other. They were on narrow roads which were almost tracks and it was fun but a pretty sharp start to the ride especially at that ungodly time.
After about 30 miles the big hills stopped and we settled into a rhythm. We joined a cracking road that Ian and I often ride which goes past the lavender Farm. Ian had arranged to meet us at the bottom of Saintbury Hill and I smiled as I descended it, remembering his bin on the neighbouring hill a while ago.
Ian was there and joined the pack. He was on his spangly Bianchi bike and had the fancy gear on. We laughed how he looked out of place with us old crusty audax riders. The route then was identical to the one I'd ridden with Johnny in out 100 miler in March.
We rode with various people for a while, as you do, and then arrived at Alcester. It was great to get a coffee and I took my gilet and rain jacket off as the sun was out and warming the world up. I packed them in the little carry bag and thought I was clever fixing the bag behind my saddle. We set off in a group and after a mile I saw that the bag was hanging off. I tried re-fixing it but realised it probably wouldn't happen - so after a couple of minutes fiddling, I stuffed the bag down the front of my jacket and set off after the group.
I had to work hard to catch the group but was then flying and went to the front. It felt great having de-layered and with the sun shining. The route was one of my standard routes so I knew exactly where we were going and what was ahead.
Ian's 25 miles went quickly and he turned back. We joined up with a couple of guys from the Stourbridge cycle club and were making good time. We rode through Meriden and I saluted the war memorial for cyclists. A few miles later and we were leaving my territory and on roads I didn't know.
We sailed won into Atherstone and stopped at the next Control - Winnie's Cafe. This time I had beans on toast which went down great.They had put loads of bottles of water on a table for us which was a nice touch.
Off again and on this stage we went past Mallory Park race circuit. This brought back lots of memories of my previous obsession / hobby. We caught a couple of guys up and for a while got a good chain gang going. This got broken up when 3 of us went one way and the other guy went the right way! At this point I should own up to a right dumb omission. I had planned the audax pretty well but found when I started my Garmin up that I had not put the route on it! I was therefore dependent on Paul or other riders. That's okay but Paul finds reading the Garmin a bit difficult at times and it meant we went the wrong way a few times. I felt very stupid!
The remaining guy and us then stayed together for the rest of the ride.
We had made very good time and had been moving faster than I had planned. Paul started to feel the pace and just slowed up a tad but made the other guy (Tom) and me laugh by hitting the front at speed now and again. We reached Daventry and that was the longest stage done. We sat outside at the Control cafe and it was beautiful in the sun. We had now completed 121 miles (194kms).
The ride now merges together in my mind and I can't recall much of this stage. We took a wrong turning and took a while working out how to get back on track. We chatted to Tom who was an ear surgeon.
We reached the last control at Tackley, overtaking a couple of riders a mile or so beforehand and pulled into the Sturdy's Castle pub. Tom had a beer (fair play) but I managed with a pint of coke and a plate of chips. Paul and Tom ate massive jacket potatoes which fuelled them up for the final stage.
For some reason, the last stage was great. We seemed to be flying most of the way. The miles slipped away quickly. We saw two baby deer on separate occasions, one only a few yards from us. We had seen the sun rise and now we watched it set.
The next sign said Cirencester 9 miles and we knew we were nearly there. We rode past our hotel and cruised back to the finish. There was tea, toast, cakes, soup awaiting us - I can't believe how they can do this. I bunged a couple of pounds in the contributions dish and had a cup of tea and some biscuits.
We got our card signed and were told we were 14th back out of about 80 which we were pleased with.
I paid the princely sum of £2 and got my 300k audax badge!
400K anyone :)