Look what arrived in todays post
My first 200k Medal from the Saltire 200 I did in October
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Sunday 6 November 2011
Guy Fawkes Buddhist Retreat 200k Audax
I’d been looking forward to riding the Guy Fawkes Buddhist Retreat since discovering Audax a few months ago. The attraction of fresh pastures, along with some of my favourite borders roads would make for a great day out.
Everybody set off from a frosty Focus Centre set off bang on 8. A large group in front headed towards the Kingsknowes and the A7, whereas I decided to head up Elm Row and round Gala Hill. I had already planned to keep to a steady pace. 200k is a long way for me, and I didn’t expect to be able to keep up with the regulars. That all changed when Ronny caught me up.
His pace was faster than mine. I was managing to keep up on the flat and the descents, but on the climbs he was leaving me for dead. We chatted all the way to the Village of Ettrick Bridge, but he was soon out of sight. By the time I reached Tushielaw, Ronny had slowed to allow me to catch up. Although there was next to no wind, he suggested that I tucked in behind him to save some energy. I was glad of this, and also that I had tights on, as it wasn’t much above freezing.
The freshly tarred road following the Tima was a joy to ride on. By the time I reached the seismological station, Ronny was just out of sight, but I managed to catch up on the descent, arriving at Sayme Ling together.
After a quick cup of coffee and some wonderful cake, we headed off again with 2 others, Davie and someone else whose name now escape me, sorry.
I had planned to follow the main road to Langholm, but foolishly decided to follow the 3 others who had opted for the hillier old road through Castle O’er. I kept in touch most of the way, but lost them on the climb on the outskirts of the town. Davie waited at the top for me, and we descended to the second control together.
Another not-so-quick cup of coffee in Pelosi's Corner café, and we were heading for Lockerbie. I have never been on this road before, so had no idea what lay ahead. The sun was now shining, and we were up to double figures temperature wise. My legs were beginning to feel a bit sore on the climbs, so only a slow puncture, and the effect of an out of date gel enabled be to keep up.
After a much needed bowl of soup and an Irn Bru at café 91 in Lockerbie, we headed back towards Eskdalemuir. After a few k’s, I was on my own again. This was a bit lumpier than I had envisaged. My left knee was getting really sore on some of the longer climbs, so I spun in the granny gear all the way to the welcoming sight of the Buddhist temple.
After another coffee and another receipt, I tackled the Fingland climb, up past the observatory in the granny gear once again. The slight downhill to Ettrick on the newly laid road was welcome, and I was beginning to feel a bit better.
I am familiar with the Col de Berrybush as someone called it, as it’s on one of my usual rides, so it was back into the granny for the slog to the top. There were a few riders who had stopped at the summit to switch on lights, so I decided to do the same. It was here that I discovered a loose connection on my front light. Davie came to the rescue with a cable tie, so all was well.
There was probably about 10 riders nose to tail all the way down to the Gordon arms, red LEDs ablaze, before another granny gear climb up Paddy Slacks and over to Innerleithen.
After a quick stop in the co-op for another receipt, I opted for the quicker A72 to Gala instead of the quieter back road. I was on my own, and glad of the repair to my front light, as there was a fair bit of traffic on this section. The rest of the group passed me on the climb over to Clovenfords, and I managed to stick with them all the way back to Gala and the Focus Centre once again.
Thanks to Lucy for putting on this good event, and Ronny, Davie and what’s his name for the company and advise.
Map of the route can be found here
Card now posted.
Everybody set off from a frosty Focus Centre set off bang on 8. A large group in front headed towards the Kingsknowes and the A7, whereas I decided to head up Elm Row and round Gala Hill. I had already planned to keep to a steady pace. 200k is a long way for me, and I didn’t expect to be able to keep up with the regulars. That all changed when Ronny caught me up.
His pace was faster than mine. I was managing to keep up on the flat and the descents, but on the climbs he was leaving me for dead. We chatted all the way to the Village of Ettrick Bridge, but he was soon out of sight. By the time I reached Tushielaw, Ronny had slowed to allow me to catch up. Although there was next to no wind, he suggested that I tucked in behind him to save some energy. I was glad of this, and also that I had tights on, as it wasn’t much above freezing.
The freshly tarred road following the Tima was a joy to ride on. By the time I reached the seismological station, Ronny was just out of sight, but I managed to catch up on the descent, arriving at Sayme Ling together.
After a quick cup of coffee and some wonderful cake, we headed off again with 2 others, Davie and someone else whose name now escape me, sorry.
I had planned to follow the main road to Langholm, but foolishly decided to follow the 3 others who had opted for the hillier old road through Castle O’er. I kept in touch most of the way, but lost them on the climb on the outskirts of the town. Davie waited at the top for me, and we descended to the second control together.
Another not-so-quick cup of coffee in Pelosi's Corner café, and we were heading for Lockerbie. I have never been on this road before, so had no idea what lay ahead. The sun was now shining, and we were up to double figures temperature wise. My legs were beginning to feel a bit sore on the climbs, so only a slow puncture, and the effect of an out of date gel enabled be to keep up.
After a much needed bowl of soup and an Irn Bru at café 91 in Lockerbie, we headed back towards Eskdalemuir. After a few k’s, I was on my own again. This was a bit lumpier than I had envisaged. My left knee was getting really sore on some of the longer climbs, so I spun in the granny gear all the way to the welcoming sight of the Buddhist temple.
After another coffee and another receipt, I tackled the Fingland climb, up past the observatory in the granny gear once again. The slight downhill to Ettrick on the newly laid road was welcome, and I was beginning to feel a bit better.
I am familiar with the Col de Berrybush as someone called it, as it’s on one of my usual rides, so it was back into the granny for the slog to the top. There were a few riders who had stopped at the summit to switch on lights, so I decided to do the same. It was here that I discovered a loose connection on my front light. Davie came to the rescue with a cable tie, so all was well.
There was probably about 10 riders nose to tail all the way down to the Gordon arms, red LEDs ablaze, before another granny gear climb up Paddy Slacks and over to Innerleithen.
After a quick stop in the co-op for another receipt, I opted for the quicker A72 to Gala instead of the quieter back road. I was on my own, and glad of the repair to my front light, as there was a fair bit of traffic on this section. The rest of the group passed me on the climb over to Clovenfords, and I managed to stick with them all the way back to Gala and the Focus Centre once again.
Thanks to Lucy for putting on this good event, and Ronny, Davie and what’s his name for the company and advise.
Map of the route can be found here
Card now posted.
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