300Km Audax, London – Norfolk (and back)
The club’s 300Km Waltham Wander Audax, ably organised by Mark Brooking, took place on Saturday, The route is from the Baptist Church Hall in Waltham Abbey through North Essex, Mid-Suffolk and turning west at Diss which is just over the Norfolk border. A little bit of Breckland’s sandy forest to Barton Mills services was followed by a ride across the Cambridgeshire prairie past the wonderfully named, but quite small, Gog Magog Hills. Towards the end there was a bit of towpath riding, an Audax marmite: some riders loved it, some not.
Outbound there was a strong tailwind all the way to Diss in Norfolk, meaning most people got there in almost minimum time. The way back meant a strong headwind of course and it didn’t drop much after dark. The exposed 50km From Barton Mills to past Cambridge was especially tough. The highlight for some riders was the footpath bracketed by two stiles. Not a usual Audax feature and a small route adjustment will be made next time
Despite this all and the temptation of fast trains back to London from Diss and Cambridge, 65 out of 77 starters completed the event. The last person in having adopted the sensible anti-headwind strategy of long rests in pubs. Once the finishers had revived on Mark’s home made chilli, most seemed happy how the day went.
So far only one rider blog has been tracked down. At https://www.instagram.com/p/DXH0fG9CGTS/.
Mark’s efficient set up made it easy for us helpers, our only problem being the hall’s Worlds Worst Vacuum Cleaner made it tricky for us to leave the carpeted hall clean for other users. The surplus from the event will go to the church, with the recommendation to spend some of the money on a new one.
Mark was ably assisted by Lynn, John and Vyv in the morning Wendy and George at the Diss Control and by Anne in the evening (I was there too). Thanks to all and 100th anniversary caps on the way, with special thanks from the club to Mark..
NB If there is any rider from Saturday still not entered our other events to get a Willesden 100 SR( Super Randonneur) you can still enter the 600 Last Gasp, the 400 Bare Bones and September’s Anfractuous! 200.
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