My first properly long ride of 2023 was looming on the 15th of April and as normal I was looking at weather apps for various locations along the route! As has been the norm for 2023 so far the outlook wasn't great.
The forecast for Friday was abysmal, it rained and rained and rained. This made my mind up that it was winter bike weather. A choice of comfort over speed.
So after a night in Alfreton Travelodge I set off for the Start at 05:30, at the sign on two things occurred to me A = Wow there are lots of people here. B = Oh shit I've forgotten my water bottle !
After a mad dash back to my car and 5 minutes behind the rest of the competitors I started with an extra 10km in the legs! I started to pick off riders as the KMs ticked by, but I don't think I ever really caught the faster riders.
The roads were very wet for the first few hours and the bike choice seemed a good one. It soon became clear though that my saddle was a little to high, I had recently fitted a new one and perhaps foolishly not properly tested it. At the first control in Newark I dropped it a few MMs and all seemed well. After the Greggs in Newark it was onwards to the Second control at Woodhall Spa at 100km, the weather was improving by the minute and the sun was breaking through and roads drying out. In Woodhall Spa (somewhere I had never been before as was everywhere on this route) I intended to visit the dam busters memorial and Woodlands Café both were worth the effort 😀
After the 2nd Control at Woodhall we were faced with a headwind through to Chapel St Leonards but the sun was shining and the riding fairly easy. I planned fish and chips by the seaside and the village chippy delivered nicely so far the food stops had been 10/10. From this point on it would be Coops and petrol stations so for now I enjoyed the luxury.
I now turned north west for the long ride home to Alfreton. The next few hours were absolutely brilliant riding, the Lincolnshire Wolds are definitely worth a visit. The last control was Gainsborough and petrol station picnic. After stripping of it was time to layer up and take on the last 65km section into the twilight hours. I reached Alfreton about 30 minutes after dark for well earned Tea, cobs and cake.
In summary a great route (better than expected) and really good weather just a shame I couldn't use my fast bike. Onwards to the 400km in May.
