Braziers Run
Posted on Sunday 28 February 2010 by Nick Bloom
I tried hard to find an excuse for not riding the 100km on Saturday, but none came. So 06.30 alarm, coffee and cereal, out the door at 07.30. To a flat rear tyre – slow puncture on the Landy. Divert to petrol station to inflate, then a clear run round the North Circular and up the M11 to Patmore End. Once off the main road, the verges were sodden and muddy, the ramp to the Victoria clubhouse almost liquid. Collect Brevet, slither back to the roadside waiting for the off. There’s a good entry, the local clubs in force, familiar faces, a few nervous newcomers.
Out at a good pace, occasional light drizzle clearing to patchy blue. The route rolls, nothing harsh but a few nice swoops down. The wind is there, but helps as much as hinders. Best of all I find myself in with a small group who know the area. Feeling rather smug, I’m back at the clubhouse in just over two hours. Time for efficiency – quick slice of cake, swig of water and back on the road.
And it starts to rain. Gentle, then insistent. On with the showerproof. Turn back? It’s now serious heavy rain, It can’t last. It does. Speed and spirits drop, I’m soaked through, and it’s too late to turn. Then the morning group is with me. As they pass, I jump on. Speed goes back up, and eventually the cloud clears with 20km to go. Then some of the group stop for a puncture, the speedy ones disappear. I decide to press on gently. Wrong. I misunderstand a line on the route sheet, detour 10km and lose 40 minutes. And it’s 106km, not 100k. Hunch to misery. But I can recognise the roads from the way out, and then I’m back, it’s done. Tea and bun.
Now I’ve got a very muddy bike to clean.