Well
the Audax has come and gone in a jiffy. It was a real test of our
metal with some mahooosive climbs along the way. Simo had reassured
me and Michael that once we had gone through the first control that
it would be down hill for the rest of the journey.......we will see.
We set out at bang on 9am and took the vanguard as we knew the roads
prety well as they are our usual run. We had to stop after a couple
of miles to erm.....well water a tree or two as the loos in the hall
were full. A group of asian lads from Smethwick passed us
at that time. We jumped back on and started to make some ground on
them. as we crossed over the Lichfield road we noticed
the elder of them had hit the turf. he had been looking down at
his Garmin when he hit a kerb square on buckling his wheel and making
a mess of his Boardman. we checked he was ok then carried on, quickly
we came across another Audaxer with his wheel off repairing a
puncture. Fortunately that was the only incidents we would see of
note until the last couple of miles. we soon arrived at the Col De
Hednesford, at this point i gritted my teeth and climbed it in what i
hope is going to be my record time (will look at Strava after). I
left nothing behind when i reached the top, blowing like a train! we
regrouped and continued with climb and descent following each other
at regular intervals. Simon
Parry Zoe Parry was
map reading and didn't put a foot wrong all the way to the end. We
took a few roads through chase that non of knew existed. We reached
the first control in good health I BROUGHT THE COFFEE again for me
and Simon, while Michael took care of himself. We wolfed down
our home-made flapjack and watched as others arrived. Some
had come the wrong way, as they had not got a map reader like
simon. This is where Simo said the course would flatten out......did
it heck, hill after mound after more hills. It was the hardest part
of the ride, but we had took enough fuel on to give us a good chance.
There was a mile marker we had to record on our Brevett cards as a
information point near Blyth reservoir. then on to the next control
where we took on some coffee and chatted to other participants. WWCC
were there just before us and departed just ahead of us. We set out
after about a 20 minute rest and made some very good time with
Michael me and Simon all taking turns to lead out. We picked up
another information point and turned into the wind for home. at times
we traced the rout of the last audax.We picked up and young
fella who had hit the wall (Steve from Oxford), and gave him a
metaphorical tow for a couple of miles. He finally dropped off us and
we hadn't noticed as we were hitting a good rhythm. In fact we were
gaining on the WWCC until we were on their back wheel. Michael was
just about to say go for it and pass them when he hit a pothole and
blew out a slime inner tube! we quickly repaired his puncture
as Steve passed us and thanked us for his earlier tow.
we gave it some big licks back to the start point, however there was
no catching back up with WWCC, would have been a nice scalp for
S.O.L.R. we reached the control after a lovely sunny 5 hr ride
covering almost 70 miles. congratulations to Simon And Michael
Bryan,
the later of who smashed his single ride record for the second week
running.
