Last year this was my first ever 300. It must have been tough as as the only thing I remember was the start, frozen water bottles, being passed just after Virginia by a group who had stopped for a pub lunch, and Olivier buying enough fig biscuits to feed the 500.
Also, last year I broke down on the way home and had to cycle from the garage where the AA dropped off my car to home in the snow @ 6am in the morning.
This year was different. Despite the hillier route, I managed a reasonable time and had company most of the way round.
The start moved to Slane – which only took me an hour and a quarter to drive to so, having left the house @ 3:45 I was there an hour early. I had had an early night, for once so wasn’t too tired.
I think there was 35 at the start, compared with a dozen for the same event last year.
There was a lot of hillage from the off, so as I suspected the group were spread.
Olivier, with gears, some sliding, joined me. The sunrise revealed lush green rolling landscape. Towards the North we picked up another group of riders, including Brian who had a broken rear derailleur cable. Didn’t seem to be slowing him down though. I relayed to him via his companions that I had a spare that he gratefully fitted in Castleblainey. I was glad to be rid of the weight.
The group sped up towards the first control, but it was early and I’m wise to such moves so, knowing I would easily catch the group at the next control, I stopped for a call of nature.
Café Castleblaney
At Castleblney I refuelled on bacon and sausage bap and a much needed coffee.
From there I left with Conor (who I hadn’t seen since Midlands Miander), Olivier, Barry (not the same one as Kings Mountain), Mick, John and (briefly) Marcello (I think).
We pretty much shared the work into pretty strong wind.
The sun came out and I realised that all the clothes I was carrying were pretty much dead weight.
Towards Belturbet, where we planned lunch, the road started to roll a bit. Again, I let the guys go, but this time they took a wrong turn and were with me again shortly after.
Lunch was soup and toasties all round.
Next sections to control @Mohill (163Km) and @Termonbarry (193Km) were pretty much the same. Into the wind, dropped off the last few km before control. At Mohill I ate my pasta. At Termonbarry I just stopped briefly to sign Brévet and continued. With the wind on my back there was not much to be gained from the group and I wanted to go my own pace for a while.
Olivier passed me an hour or so later, he offered me his wheel but I declined.
Nearly caught up to him on the climb to Granard, but that was the last I saw of him as I stopped for Chips and Curry in the chippy from where I watched John and Barry pass. I kitted up for the night.
I caught them @Virginia control (262Km) where they were eating. Virginia was much bigger than I remember. Conor and Mick rolled in as we were leaving having, like me, stopped at Granard.
John, Barry and I set off together. I was feeling strong and well fed. We hit the potholes round about 285Km. Barry had a flat. Conor and Mick caught up with us and we rolled in together just after 10pm.
300Km is always going to be a long way, and, of course I had a couple of low points, but I am beginning to see them coming a bit more and take appropriate action, like eating or easing off.
I was probably carrying way too much spare clothing – in fact I had to hitch my softshell to the top of my Carrdice, but Ireland in March is not usually so warm and dry so I figure better to carry more than less.
All in all – for me - much better than last year
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