randonnee
randonnee Organiser Ian Hennessey ready to send the riders off.
600k around Devon and Cornwall Toughening up for LEL
All photos by the author
Phil Whitehurst
‘It is a tough, but enjoyable ride.’ This is what Marcus Jackson-Baker said about the Kernow and SW 600. This was to be my first 600, as part of my LEL 2013 build-up. I’d successfully completed my first 400, the Severn Across, on May 11th. It was now a few weeks later.
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alk had had turned to the 600s everyone was doing. Whether it was Facebook or YACF; thread after thread appeared about upcoming 400s and 600s. In mid-May the Bryan Chapman 600 took place, and after reading rider accounts, and hearing about the superb weather, my anticipation around my first 600 was building. Some wondered whether the KSW 600 was a good choice for a first 600. It has over 8,000m of ascent/descent, and broken up by lots of smaller hills, so you can’t get into a rhythm. Like my other build- up rides, I’d booked it back in January, after getting a place on LEL. At the time many other 600 events were 10
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not yet in the AUK calendar, and the KSW 600 fitted perfectly into my diary. It was chosen mostly because of its location, I liked the idea of riding never far from the coast, and because of the date. I also thought a 600 by June was realistic starting from a 200 base in January. Is 8,000m of ascent/descent a lot in 600km? When I booked I didn’t give it much thought. I seem to remember the choice of 600s that potentially fitted in the diary were the BCM and KSW, both had this climbing figure. So I figured that was just the numbers that 600km came with and thought nothing more of it. Did it intimidate me? Well not really, as it was all a bit abstract, when measured against a distance I’d never ridden. When mountain biking I’ll often exceed 1,000m in 50km, so measured against that, it would be a bit easier The weekend of Saturday June 1st approached, and I had both the Friday and Monday booked off work. I decided to head down Thursday night, and had chosen the Holiday Inn Express,
'It has over 8,000m of ascent/ descent, and broken up by lots of smaller hills, so you can’t get into a rhythm.'
off junction 29 of the M5. I’d chosen it because it was about 1.5km from the start, at Whipton Community Hall. I’d offered a lift to anyone who wanted one, but had no takers. The drive down went well, and I was allocated a ground floor room, in a quiet section of the hotel. I wheeled the bike, in and put it by the window. I slept well that night, and dreamt that my car had been stolen and turned into a work of art in some unknown town centre. No idea what portents that signified. On Friday I decided to head into Exeter town centre. This was easy as the hotel is opposite the park and ride. The sun was out, a light wind blew, and I spent the day as a tourist. Many years ago, I’d visited Exeter, as a prospective student, as one of my five UCAS Universities. In the end I’d chosen York, but still had fond memories of Exeter. In fact, I’d passed through before, on the way to Dartmoor for a bit of walking or letter boxing (geo caching before GPS came along). Anyway I had www.audax.uk.net
a fine day following the Exeter medieval trail, including a visit to the Cathedral. I finished off my time in the city centre with a fine pint of ale and lasagne and chips. I decided to walk back to my hotel and try and find Whipton Community Hall. I didn’t have the route sheet or address with me, but I had picked up a cycling map in the city. I easily found Whipton, then the community centre, and then walked back to the hotel along a cycle track I’d seen on the map. Not far at all, and it’d be easy to remember in the morning. Once back at my room I checked the bike, and gave the chain a little oil. I loaded up the saddlebag with my rations, jelly babies, jelly tots, some chocolate and chewy bars. I doubled checked my arm warmers were there after forgetting them for my first 400. I then went over to a pub that is right next door. Here I had something to eat and a couple of cokes. I also spoke with my wife, on the phone, before returning to the hotel. I mentioned to the hotel receptionist that I’d be leaving around 5am and would any breakfast be available? He answered yes; he’d make sure something was available. Bonus! Back at my room I filled up my water bottles and placed them in the cages. I then got my cycling kit out for the morning, bib shorts, jersey, buff, helmet, shoes, socks, gloves, sunglasses. I decided to save faff in the morning I’d put my other stuff in the car. So I put my cycling kit on and packed the rest of my stuff and placed it in the car boot. Returning to my room, I got out of my cycling kit, and slid between the sheets, I read for a while before lights out, and slept like a log. I woke to the sound of a cockerel, a very nice alarm on my phone. Sliding out from between the warm sheets I sleepily stepped into the shower. Out of the shower, towel dry and cycling kit on. I headed down to breakfast. There
were cereals available, fruit and natural yoghurt, bread for toast and spreads and jams, plus tea and orange juice. Perfect for 5am, the hotel receptionist had done well, always worth asking. The day was dawning as predicted. It was going to be a hot, sunny weekend. I retrieved my bike, and a few bits and pieces from my room and checked out. Bit and pieces dropped off at car, I pedalled along to the start, at Whipton Community Hall. It’s always a special time, when most are asleep, and this was no exception, lovely time of day. Arriving at the hall, a few were setting up their bikes by their cars. I parked the bike near the entrance and headed in. Ian Hennessey wasn’t quite set up yet, but his able helper was serving tea. I had a couple of green tea bags in a jersey pocket. They were meant to have gone back in the packet and in the car, but I’d forgotten. Out came the green tea bags for my cup of tea and why not? I chatted with a fellow audaxer I’d ridden a section of the Severn Across 400 (three weeks earlier). Others arrived, we picked up our brevet cards and soon enough it was time for the off. There was still no sign of the nerves I’d expected ahead of my first 600. All was calm, as I waited for Ian to send us on our way. I think the unstated nature of audax that helps. No big send offs, no blaring music, or ‘motivational stuff’ that you find on more commercial cycling events. ‘Well I guess it’s now 6am, and you guys had better be off’ (or words to that effect) was how Ian calmly started my first 600. Like I said, understated, and I like it that way. GPS on, I wheeled my bike down to road. Again, it didn’t have a satellite lock, but I set off with the group anyway. The group headed off, and Ivan introduced himself, recognising me from my buff in my Facebook profile picture. We’d been discussing the ride the week before. Always nice to meet those you
first have conversations with online. Before long I found myself on the front of the group as we headed towards the city centre. We were going along at a nice pace. At some traffic lights only two of us got through with me on front. At a turning my GPS was playing catch up and I went left instead of right. The guy behind shouted right, but by the time my brain registered it, it was too late. I slowed and then turned round, to see the group disappearing right. I was still in a high gear and by the time I’d got in the right gear, a gap had opened up. The gap gradually grew bigger, and it was no good, I was wasting energy trying to get reattached. I decided to drop down to my natural pace. I was in my own gap we all find ourselves in, not fast enough to catch the group ahead, not slow enough to get caught behind. The first leg heads west to Bude. Before long you find yourself on the A3072, and it takes you all the way there. Navigation is easy. You can just enjoy the sensation of moving through a landscape bathed in a thousand shortening shadows. Gradually I found myself gaining on others; I passed some with punctures, and some I shared the road with. Quite small groups formed, where it is more usual to ride side by side; socialising, rather than any larger group style drafting. The route was gently undulating, and it was quite possible to ride along in the big ring for long periods, and I did. This first section passed relatively quickly, and before long I found myself descending to Bude. A nor-westerly had been blowing against me on this leg, but I’m getting used to headwinds, and it didn’t really bother me. I just got on the drops and kept pedalling away. My brother-in-law lives in Bude, and I had entertained the idea of meeting up. But this was my first 600, and decided I’d focus on moving forward this time, as I could get easily distracted and lose time with family. I did to say to Ian I’d offer to help at the morning Bude control next year, and that offer still holds (as I can combine it with a long weekend to visit family). Rolling along the sea front into Bude, the signs appeared to the car park with the café control at the far end. It was perfectly situated, overlooking the beach, with blue skies above. A fine location. All but the very fastest riders were sat outside enjoying a second breakfast in the sun. Popping inside I got my card signed by Ian (was he going to man every control?) and ordered the full breakfast plus a coke. I also got my water bottles filled by the patient staff. Returning outside I enjoyed the warmth of the sun, my coke, and the banter whilst waiting for my breakfast. A picture by the sea
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