Forecast is saying moderate winds and 22 degrees... intuition tells me it'll be warmer though...
We had originally booked onto the Norfolk 100 event at the end of the month but they couldn't get the road closed so we transferred over to this event instead, it was on my 'to do' list anyway.
Picking up rider numbers yesterday was simple and straight forward, there was also a small expo going on, nice little wander around - the best stands had restored old road bikes from the 70's onwards, some of them were lush!
In true fashion I spent the night drifting in and out of dozing, I think I got about a hour of unconsciousess altogether and then the crows started erm.. crowing... very loudly!
Up at 7, porridge pot and a Belvita Baked bar, quick shower another doze and then out the door at 9am to meet Bob.
Our 6 miles to the starting line turned into 14 miles - we made the mistake of following someone else, which turned out to be the wrong way as the road was closed due to races that had already started d'oh! At this point I started pondering cutting a ten mile loop out on the actual event.
Started queuing just after 10, there were no marshals about - just join the line and gradually walk toward the start, we actually started at 10.40 which isn't bad at all, was expecting more like 11.
I found the first 15 miles harsh, seemed to be a lot of leg sapping slight uphills that went on for miles... my legs weren't firing properly either, probably due to lack of sleep.
I found my legs just before the split between the shorter and longer distance occurred, I did think of cutting short but didn't want to have unfinished business at the end, felt good and quite fancied the challenge of a 120 mile day... so carried on!
I caught up with Bob at a water station the organisers had put in at around 21 miles, I had started with 2.5 litres and still had plenty of water left so decided I would refill at the proper feed station at mile 45.
It felt like something was missing compared to other closed roads events I had done, and when we went through the first village I realised what it was... local spectators cheering on the side of the road!
The temp started creeping higher towards 30 degrees, the wind was harsh due to the route being exposed to crosswinds but it was also the only thing keeping me cool.
I passed a garage and clocked that it was the only place so far where it would have been viable to buy extra food/water supplies... I was getting closer to the first feed station though so carried on.
The first feed station was located half way around a disused airport, very exposed to wind and seemed to go on forever... I was looking forward the feed station as was feeling tired and in need of a mini rest and food...
Finally arrived to find... all food and water had ran out, the tempuature had now reached 30 degrees! I wasn't impressed and neither was anyone else!
We made the call to follow the shorter route thereafter, the ride so far had been harder than expected and was concerned about the water situation more than anything else. I had a fair few bars etc on me but didn't fancy seeing if it was enough to get me around the full route. Wasn't sure if there would be any shops on the remainder of the route either - villages so far had been very few and far between...
Safe to say I was pretty peed off and had lost all faith in there being anything left at the later official feed stations...
Quick toilet break, stuffed another Belvita Baked down me and onwards! (Big mistake, should have eaten much more at that point!)
Only 25 miles left now...
About 5 miles afterward we came across some locals residents kindly refilling peoples water bottles from their back garden with a hose - they were a life saver!!
Few more miles later and we rode down the longest straight road I have ever encountered... it went on and on... and on... and on... 3/4 of the way up I clocked a shop with plenty of cyclists meandering outside - the shopkeeper must have done good business!
Towards the end of the road the route split, I didn't see one person turn onto the 100 mile route.
Not long after that my legs started fading, I hadn't stopped for a break since starting really. Luckily my accommodation was on the route so decided that was where my ride was ending... I had less than 10 miles to go... onwards!
5 miles later I was crawling along feeling like crap... the pre bonk had begun... here we go...
Pulled over on a grassy area and considered it a victory I had stayed upright when I put my foot down, shoved a Cliff bar down me, I found it hard to eat now.. only 4 miles left...
Those 4 miles went on forever... everyone seemed to be zooming passed me... then realised I was going at 9mph...
Wasn't happy about seeing the hill infront of me but managed to get up it.. the locals cheering me on lifted my spirits :)
I started to see quite a few riders lying down on the grass, there were people far worse off than me.
Found Bob waiting for me and we rode the last mile or two together... then finally stopped riding!
Recovery was swift, lie down, cold shower, egg and a disgusting tasting recovery power did the trick!
A 3 course meal soon followed :)
I don't do well in temps of 25 degrees plus so happy I made a total of 85 miles today 😃
Today's Fuel:
Porridge pot (Pre Ride)
2 x Belvita Baked (Pre Ride)
2 x Porridge To Go bars
2 x Belvita Baked
1 x Hi5 energy drink mix
4 x fig rolls
10 x Fruit Jellies
1 x Cliff Bar.
Had it been a cooler day with less wind I would have been fine, the crosswinds made it a far harsher ride than expected. The big mistake I made was not eating more of my food when I got to the empty feed station - I was obviously far too busy being annoyed! 😆
Epilogue
Loads of people complained about no of food / water (the water situation was downright irresponsible!). Lots of people struggled. Official statement went out with full apology etc and all will be rectified next year.
Next years event already on sale with big early bird discounts!
Found myself entering the shorter 67 mile route (be nice to relax a bit along the way) - £42 for closed roads was too hard to resist and as Bob pointed out, we know there is a garage and a shop for extra supplies if needed.
Definitely wouldn't have paid another £70 again though!
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