30/09/17
Last ride of the season…and I hated it. This was one I’d heard of years ago when I first became aware of Audax, it probably stuck in my mind because of the name, which is certainly appropriate. Maybe it was a bit too soon after last weekend’s 600 km, or perhaps it was the unrelenting up-down-up-down, no-chance-to-enjoy-the-descents nature of it that caused it to be a slog to finish just for the sake of it. I wouldn’t want this to reflect badly on organiser Matt; the ride is exactly what it promises.
I also had an impression – that I can now identify, having done a few longer rides – that the 100s and 200s can sometimes be so dominated by riders from the local club that it feels to a random Auk like me that it’s a club ride that we are guests on. I know that this is most likely to be a reflection of my own insecurities; Matt seems like an extremely ‘audax person’, and some of the local club folk asked if I wanted to join their table afterwards…maybe it’s more of a numbers thing, when there are lots of people in matching jerseys who know each other, ride more quickly than me, and ooze extroversion I immediately want to hide in a puncture. But if by some miracle someone is reading this and wants to get into the longer distances, I would say it’s worth persevering at the 100s and 200s, because once you get to 300+ the field is quite different; etiher they’ll have done multiple LEL/PBP or they’ll be preparing for them, and you’ll be able to be in awe/compare notes/receive support as appropriate.
Anyway I think this would have been an ordeal whatever the environment…I remember very little of the route. Perhaps that’s it, there were no distinguishing features, no major climbs, just always up and down. I can claim a sense of achievement, and a couple of AAA points, but I won’t be riding it again. It’s just not my thing.
100 km, 2 AAA, 6:52 hrs