Autumn South Salopian Randonee

I normally get my write-ups done straight away while the ride is fresh in my mind and it doesn’t become a chore to do. Unfortunately, this time I didn’t do a quick write up because I hadn’t intended for this to be a write up at all. Since getting back to riding for fun, I have wanted to start making videos of what I get up to again. I used to make a lot of mountain biking and bikepacking videos and always really enjoyed it. This ride report should have been the first in a new series of vlogs that I have been planning but unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. A mixture of bad camera work by me, getting used to the quirks of a new camera and a pretty intense work schedule over the last few weeks, means that I’m going to wait until my next brevet to get the vlog series underway. I probably could have got something out of the footage I had but I really didn’t feel like forcing it, so I thought I would do a quick write up and be done with it.

This event marks the start of the new season and my first full season. If you are interested in the goals I have set for this season you can check out my Goals for the coming year blog from a month or so ago.

The Autumn South Salopian is the second event I have taken part in, organised by Phil from Beacon CC and another well organised day it was too. The route started in North Worceshire, heading west towards Stourport on Severn, continuing on to Tenbury Wells for our first control. The group seemed less spread out than normal, the town littered with riders, making use of the local bakeries & cafes. I stopped for a quick sausage roll snack at Mr Toms the bakery, picking up my first proof of passage of the day.

I rolled out of the town on my own, as ever, heading west towards Presteigne. Just before the village the route took a sharp right north, passing to the east of Knighton, then Clun before reaching our second control at Bishops Castle. Phil had mentioned that Kirstie’s cafe was the official control in the town and would be handing out stickers to customers of this fine cafe. I pulled up outside and added my bike to small heard of steeds that were propped against the wall outside. I ordered a large strawberry milkshake and bacon and brie panini and sat outside watching the world go by. I think I got there just at the right time as within 10minutes the place was heaving with sweaty lycra-clad riders all hoping to pick up their lunch. I eat my food chatting with a few of the guys, having a craic and generally enjoying the social aspect of Audaxing. I’m not a huge social rider, so I really like being able to have these short moments of socialising dotted throughout the ride. It’s one of the main aspects of an Audax that keeps me coming back for more.

Heading north-east out of the town I skirted round the back of the Long Mynd taking what is normally billed as the easiest route up and over the Mynd, from Ratlinghope. I think people say this is the easiest because it’s the least steep route over but this does mean it’s a bit of a grind. The views out towards Stiperstones do make up for it though as this was certainly the high point of the geography that we were going to experience today. The descent off the Mynd was fast and made somewhat sketchy by the high hedged road reducing the visibility of oncoming traffic.

Heading east it wasn’t long before I was climbing the short pull into Iron Bridge and wondering what I might do here for my last required proof of passage. As the bridge grew larger I noticed a bike of decidedly audax variety propped up against Truffles Cafe window. My decision was made. As I lent my bike next to the one already there I could see it’s rider sat in the window and nodding knowingly at me. I ordered a coffee, a large slice of Jaffa cake and sat with my fellow randonneur for a chin wag. We were joined not long after by another rider and shared stories of other events we had done recently. There is something great about what I think of as the unspoken rules of socialising with others on a brevet. The freedom to sit down at a table in a cafe with a stranger and it not be strange, the ability to leave and get riding again with no feeling of responsibility or guilt for leaving others on their own when you are ready to go and the camaraderie of a shared experience.

The last 50km to get home went by quite quickly although not uneventfully. Finally my first mechanical on an Audax! As I changed to the small chainring at the bottom of a steep pull I immediately felt the peddles lock up. Fortunately, I was quick to simply stop peddling, as the chain had become jammed into the front derailer and really not far from snapping if I had put any weight on the crank. The derailer cage was quite worn out and honestly should have been replaced a long time ago, but now it was totally finished. The material had worn through at one point and the chain had bitten into the guide so much so that it was well and truly jammed. After loosening the back wheel and then the clamp on the seat post and after much… persuasion… I finally got the chain out. Just in time for 2 other fellas to ride past and inquire to whether I was having trouble. “Perfect timing guys, I just got it sorted” I called back to them.

It wasn’t long before the sky darkened and it began to rain. I probably spent 20km or so in the rain which was actually completely fine. I really don’t mind riding in the rain normally, especially when it wasn’t that heavy and the wind hadn’t really picked up at all. As the sun began to set I reached Belbroughton where I got my card stamped at arrivee. I sat with a few other riders, eating the complimentary chilli and rice, listening to stories of cycling in South America and soaking up a little post-ride atmosphere.

Lessons from this event

There were 2 things that I approached differently this time around.

After my experience in the Brum200 with needing to take the distance travelled info off the map screen on my Garmin, I tried this from the start this time. It worked. I really did feel like the distance flew past whilst not having to watch it tick up. I’m frankly stunned what a difference it made, as this is something that had never bothered me in the past. I really would have thought that the lower speeds of mountain biking would have amplified the effect of seeing “lack of progress” when I was bikepacking or doing ITTs but it seems not. Maybe it’s just me that has changed. I have undergone a lot of mental strain in the last 3-4 years and maybe I just need some different strategies these days. Whatever the reason I’m not going to analyse it too much, but I am going to listen to my new experience and continue with this tactic.

I eat quite differently this time around compared to the other Audaxs I have done this summer. I was still trying to eat at least once an hour, however, I was deliberately trying to be more varied in what I was eating. I felt that getting more protein and fibre along with more carbs that weren’t sugar was a really good way to go. I knew this already from past experience but I hadn’t acted on it for a long time. It was good to act on it this time around and feel the benefit of it. I had a slightly strange stomach again, but I eat through it and that worked out well again. I think this might just be something I need to accept. My guess is that the riding position on the drop bar bike is such that it might make my guts feel a little uneasy but the reality is that I’m actually OK, I just need to trust in that.