Oasts & Coasts ( or Circuit of Kent )
A 300k and a bit - Audax . Good prep for LEL was my thoughts.
The organiser Tom Jackson said this was the first time it had been run and 40 applied with 32 I think started. He said it would be a course that you would love or not as it would be a bit different with a few cycle paths along the coastal areas to try and avoid the larger towns such as Folkstone. I didn't mind it at all and overall it was a scenic very pleasant ride . There were certainly many Oasts and Coasts with a view of the French coast from up on the White Cliffs of Dover. There was typical Audaxers present - including a couple of fixed nut jobs - one with a large beard, carradice saddle bag and tri bars ??
I had suggested this ride to a long time friend and his group of 3 others who are planning to ride from London to Paris in June ( which I will probably be doing ) . To my surprise they were all up for it despite not being experienced cyclists and done up to 100 mile cycles in the past and nothing like an Audax.
The route started near Meopham , Gravesend area - then south to Hartfield , past my home at Fairwarp, Uckfiled, Heathfield, Battle , Rye , Dymchurch , Hythe, Folkstone, Dover , Deal , Sandwich, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Aylesford , near Gillingham, back to Meopham . http://www.aukweb.net/
Started at 6.0am , bit chilly and a wind from the North East which may have been a bit of a pain along the southern coast and up but turned into a blessing for the homeward stretch from Herne Bay .
About 2 miles in first crash as an Audaxer stopped suddenly in front of one of our group who hit the deck - oh dear not a good start!! However he dusted himself up and we cracked on . I wasn't too sure what pace to ride with these guys but we rolled along quite nicely. I put a call into Debs for 5 bacon rolls for 8.30 pretty please and bless her she came up trumps and met us with Isaac in the pram to deliver and well appreciated brekky. On we went as plenty to do - Quick wave to Paget as we came through Heathfield
Quite a few control / info / receipts from shops, picking up validation stickers etc along the way meant we could regularly top up on food and drink. Through Rye and Brenzett , Ivychurch ( and slightly dark memories of the 12 Hour Kent course ) the wind was in our face - thankfully not too serious though. We got to Hythe and the cycle paths started with one going through an adventure park which was full of people, toddlers on scooters, dogs etc - not for the purists this part but Hey Ho .
Into Dover and up to the Castle and White Cliffs via a 13% climb but we were rewarded with great views of the Castle and the French coast clearly visible . A second puncture for one of the boys repaired and off again. The boys were in new territory here distance wise so it would be interesting to see how they got on.
Plodded on not really seeing many of the other Audaxers heading north. Kept the pace nice and steady- we were all going well enough. Up to Herne Bay and the slight tail wind now benefiting us along the cycle path sea head walls to Whitstable.
No idea what the time was but we now we had the most of the work done and could think about getting back . The last couple of hours with the lights on . We had to cross M2 and M20 via footbridge / underpass. Then back to the lanes for the last 20 or so. Another small off by one of the boys but think that was tiredness and no damage done apart from pride.
We got back to the HQ relieved at about 9.30 having spent nearly 13 hours actual cycling. I think we were about middle of the field- the boys did really well and were very pleased !!
On the technical side I tried out a few things for LEL . Rob had suggested an Hope Open Pro 3 rear wheel which I used for the first time with a nice Sram 1070 cassette - it was ideal. I also used a power pack to charge the Garmin http://www.
I have succumbed to getting a handle bar " man " bag . This to keep the power pack , phone, cash, nibbles etc in with a route sheet holder . I had the GPX trace in the Garmin but still used the route sheets.
All in all a very good day - I think the more sustainable pace of 15 mph ( as opposed to the LWCC Rob lead Audax pace ) was about right for LEL for 4 days ish.
Micky T
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