For my 400k ride towards the my 2022 Super Randonneur I choose the Not Quite Spurn Head Audax.
I decided on this event as the date fitted well with my 300k and 600k events. It is also fairly flat which seemed a good idea for another ride into unchartered territory.
The Start was at Mytholmroyd just outside Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire at 5-30am 14th May.
Given the early start is 110miles from my house I decided it was a good idea to travel up the night before and take advantage of the sleeping facilities on the Community centre floor. I am still not sure if this was a mistake or not but in turns out a hard squash court isn't conducive to a good nights sleep. So at 4-30 after about 2 hours sleep it was time get up and get ready for the Depart.
We rolled out at 05-30 prompt and headed east through various northern towns on large fast roads, after only 10 minutes my rear light fell off and hit the deck. luckily I recovered it and it still worked, this was a huge relief as I knew I would need it later! The first 60k were hilly on mainly large A roads these were quiet given the early time of day but couldn't help but think they may not be so friendly on our return.
After the first control the hills and built up areas gave way to nice flat plains and great views across green fields broken up by the bright yellow of rapeseed crops in full bloom. Its so flat on the east of England and with a light tale wind I made good progress riding mainly solo but with the odd rider for short periods. This pattern continued with exception of a 10 mile ride through the suburbs of Hull which is not a place I will be looking to relocate to any time soon. The last 20km towards spurn point was into a light headwind I was getting hungry by this point, but with the Control at the café / visitor centre looming my spirits were up. 2 slight concerns were my feet starting to ache and an unusually sore bum!!
At the café I refuelled and took the opportunity to get my shoes off for a few minutes. So with 160km in the bag we turned north this was the first significant change of direction so far. The road took us past various north sea oil plants and many wind turbines but the flat lands continued. Around the 200km mark I joined another 3 riders and we took turns on the front towards the next control a petrol station after 240km's it was now about 25 degrees. Surely the hottest day of the year so far and my feet were now killing me. At various points now for the remainder of the ride I would have to stop and readjust my shoes, without ever finding a solution to the pain caused by them swelling in relatively new shoes. My rear end was also becoming increasingly uncomfortable, this was a surprise as I have been using the same type of saddle across all my bikes for a few years. I was now learning the hard way that any small flaw in kit choice will be exposed on rides of this length. I kept going though, in my mind there was no alternative.
Various controls passed and the end edged ever so slowly closer. As the sun dipped towards the horizon I stopped and added a layer of clothing for the night section. At this point I learned my beloved Liverpool had won the FA cup. A beer would have be lovely but unfortunately not an option.
After hours and hours of flat riding the last 70km would be hilly and dark. This 70kms were the hardest of my life so far. Riding through various large towns and the connecting roads on a Saturday night was tiring and dangerous. I arrived back at the community centre at just after 1am I felt dangerously tired after the lack of sleep the night before, my feet were sore my bum was also glad to sit on something other than a saddle. The feeling of achievement were also mixed with relief after seeing a fellow rider knocked off his bike 5 miles from the finish by a drunk driver.
The event was superbly organised and the facilities at the base were the best I've experienced, but the event has taught me a few lessons:
- I need a wider saddle.
- Either new insoles or wider shoes are needed for future hot Audaxes.
- I will definitely be picking Audaxes in more rural locations where any night riding is required.
